‘Smaller bike in the mud’ wins the day

The slick rider won all three A Group races at Pleinmont on a sunny Saturday which opened a Guernsey two-day event that joins up with a later Jersey equivalent on 30 April and 1 May as riders vie to become the first CI motocross champion.

After Covid prevented the planned stagings in 2020 and 2021, the championship finally got off the ground in lovely weather at the weekend.

But tricky track conditions, with new soil that had not been fully worked in, challenged riders and caused numerous dismounts early on.

The pace picked up with each race as the dirt became more firmly embedded, but Symons’ dominance was constant.

He manoeuvred his comparatively small Husqvarna TC 125cc to victory margins of at least 20sec. per race.

Guernsey’s Aaron Lesbirel came closest to him in the opener, followed by Jersey’s Charlie Morris, both riding their MX1 ‘big bikes’ of 350cc.

Morris took runner-up in race two as Lesbirel suffered a costly error, with the Jerseyman again getting the edge – just – in the third.

Having entered planning not to race in Jersey, Symons seems to have caved to the allure of potentially becoming a CI Champion and admitted, ‘I think I will now’.

‘This morning I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, being on a smaller bike in the mud, but I’ve surprised myself throughout the day,’ he said.

‘A lot better than I thought it would be.

‘It’s nice [as an event] and it gives people something to work towards, especially if they’re going over in a few weeks’ time as well – makes it a decent two sides to the event.’

Cory Leggett achieved a home clean sweep in a bustling B Group of 19 riders, with three different runners-up in Leo Gomes (Jersey), Josh Beasley and Paul Le Messurier (both Guernsey).

Cody Wallbridge and Tait Smit won two apiece in their respective youth categories.