Five riders to battle for unofficial CI title
THE future of Guernsey motocross is looking bright again, says Carl Wallbridge, as the island’s top riders ready themselves for this weekend’s big two-day meet at Pleinmont.
Always the highlight of the local calendar, there are a decent number of Jersey riders making the trip across to compete on Saturday and Sunday.
Inconvenient travel times mean they will not be joined by any UK competitors, but there are already 33 confirmed entries and it is hoped the number will rise closer to 40 by the start of competition.
Heading the entry list are five senior elite class riders – three from Guernsey and two from Jersey – with the home hopes being Brad Matthews, Brett Pearce and Hamish Moriarty.
Wallbridge is on the organising committee and he is looking forward to the racing ahead.
‘There is a good number of entries across the classes and there is a particularly good number in the senior B class, so we are really pleased with that,’ he said.
‘Our junior classes have been split into an A and a B category now, rather than on just bike disciplines, so there is plenty of excitement for all of the youngsters and also extra competition for them.
‘It is not officially an inter-insular, but in the senior A class, those five lads have all got a really good and open shout of winning it, to be crowned what would effectively make them a Channel Islands champion.
‘All of the classes have four races per day this weekend, the course is getting better and better all of the time and it is going to be a really enjoyable event.’
Among the entry, which is higher than in recent years, are a number of youngsters, including some debutants and that particularly pleases Wallbridge, whose son Kodi is one of those relatively new faces.
‘There is a really good vibe at the track at the moment, everybody is pulling in the same direction and there is a committee with quite a few people on who will want what is best for the long-term future of motocross.
‘Numbers wise it isn’t as high as it was back a good few years ago, the glory days if you like, but I am confident that we can get back towards it.
‘Making it attractive for youngsters to start up and then continue in the sport is important and we are really hopeful.’
