Sword tops at Landrake British MX2

Newly-crowned British MX2 Champion Stephen Sword picked up the overall win at the final round of the series at Landrake in Cornwall.

He was joined on the podium by overall runner-up Billy MacKenzie and third-placed Jason Dougan.

Sword said: “I’ve down what I came here to do and I’ve really enjoyed the 450. My first race should have been better but I had an engine problem so I just nursed it home. The second race was easy as I just rode my own race.”

Race one saw Billy MacKenzie on the CAS Honda show everyone who was boss by beating Shaun Simpson on the Red Bull KTM over the line by 6.057secs.
He didn’t get the best of starts but came through from third place to take the lead on lap eight. Simpson, who has just stepped up to MX1 this weekend, got the holeshot and led for the first eight laps.

His MX1 debut was certainly spectacular and his team-mate Sword, raced to an equally impressive third place.

In the second race of the day it was Bryan MacKenzie who shot into the lead. His cousin Billy got tangled up with Simpson and they both took a tumble. Both managed to re-start but Simpson fell again later in the race and could only manage a tenth place finish.

A slip up from Bryan MacKenzie allowed Sword hit the front just three laps in and he was never challenged.

MacKenzie said: “I’ve been working hard and I’ve never doubted my speed or ability. I know I should be picked for the Des Nations I just needed to prove it. People start to doubt you if you have a bad result. It’s good to be on the podium and I’d like to thanks CAS Honda. There have been a lot of downs this year but people have stood by me during it.”

Jason Dougan on the Phoenix CCM slipped into second place but was pushed back down the order by James Noble on the STR Honda. Dougan was relegated another position when the hard riding Billy MacKenzie took third.

Dougan said: “That is just what I wanted to finish on a high and on a podium. I’d like to say a big thanks to Barry and Phoenix tools and I think this is a good way to repay him.”

Race 1 results
1. Billy MacKenzie CAS Honda 34:57.722
2.  Shaun Simpson Red Bull KTM 35:03.779
3.  Stephen Sword Red Bull KTM UK 35:11.955
4.  Tom Church Buildbase CCM Racing35:15.254
5.  Jason Dougan Phoenix tools CCM 35:25.016
6.  Gareth Swanepoel Kawasaki Racing Team 35:26.330

Race 2 results
1. Stephen Sword Red Bull KTM UK 35:00.562
2. James Noble STR Honda 35:03.976
3. Billy MacKenzie CAS Honda 35:20.034
4. Jason Dougan Phoenix tools CCM 35:24.908
5. Tom Church Buildbase CCM Racing 35:32.290
6. Ben Lamay Yamaha 35:37.888

Championship standings
1. Brad Anderson 289
2. Gareth Swanepoel 250
3. James Noble 231
4. Tom Church 212
5. Carl Nunn 203
6. Billy MacKenzie 192
7. Jason Dougan 184
8. Scott Columb 174
9. Bryan MacKenzie 137
10.Jordan Rose 123