Motocross elite head to Norfolk for Lyng’s annual extravaganza

Phil Armes

Published: 11:37 AM March 7, 2018 Updated: 3:07 PM October 10, 2020

Jake Nicholls won all three races at Blaxhall. Picture: CHARLIE MANN - Credit: Archant

Some of the world's best motocross riders return from the opening Grand Prix in Argentina to get their British Motocross Championship campaign underway at the spectacular Cadders Hill circuit at Lyng on Sunday.

High flying action at Cadders Hill, Lyng in the British Motorcross Championship MX1 race which was won by No100, Tommy Searle.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY - Credit: SIMON FINLAY

Leading the charge in the MX1 (450cc) class will be Bike It DRT Kawasaki's Tommy Searle, who will be making a rare appearance in the domestic series as a wild card entry as he looks to fine-tune his set-up for his world title ambitions.

Searle will have to be on the top of his game, though, if he is to overcome local favourites Elliott Banks-Browne and Jake Nicholls, both of whom are desperate to get the new season off to a winning start after overcoming serious injuries that curtailed their 2017 title aspirations.

Nicholls, from Ipswich, won both races at Lyng in the corresponding round last year and has signed for the 2017 championship-winning Buildbase Honda team, while Banks-Browne, who also visited the podium 12 months ago stays with the Bury St Edmunds-based Geartec Husqvarna squad.

Closer to home, Norwich's Luke Parker, Declan Whittle and Aidan Wigger will all be aiming to upset the big names on their home track and Wymondham youngster Max Broadbelt moves up from the youth classes to mix it at the top level.

Lyng track map - Credit: Archant

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The MX2 (250cc) class always throws up close aggressive racing and this year is shaping up to be no exception.

Last season's front-runners Martin Barr and Mel Pocock, who both ride for the Revo Husqvarna outfit, will be out to make a clear statement of their championship credentials. The man to cause them most trouble is likely to be Bike It DRT Kawasaki-mounted American Darian Sanyei, who claimed third place in the first Grand Prix last Sunday, although this will be his first visit to the technically difficult Cadders Hill circuit. Bury St Edmunds' Lewis Tombs will be looking to replicate his previous top-six finish on the Putoline Husqvarna. Also on the programme at Lyng will be the MXY2 (Youth) championship which features 13-to-16-year-olds racing on similar machinery to the main MX2 class.