‘Smooth and elegant’ Pearce impressed
MOTOCROSS riders have been fortunate to enjoy a near-complete domestic season despite Covid – and Brett Pearce was the best of a great bunch.
Those were captain Carl Wallbridge’s thoughts after successfully staging eight days of racing during a year when motorsport has been heavily dented by restrictions.
Riders face a quick turnaround before the 2021 championship starts in just over a month’s time, but Wallbridge is still glowing following a season that could have crashed in March.
‘I’m not sure there’s many sports on the island that have been able to have that many events,’ Wallbridge said after hosting six championship rounds of 12-16 races apiece and a fruitful two-day.
‘I think we’ve all started to appreciate more in the last couple of events how lucky we are, and overall, I think we’ve had a great season throughout.
‘Unfortunately, it was the other motorsports that have suffered the most, as Covid was through their busiest part of their calendar.
‘We’ve worked really hard – everyone throughout the club and every committee member is working hard now to make sure we start the new year off as we mean to go on.’
The unofficial ‘rider of the season’ prize is also very much up for debate.
One cannot fault George Symons’ convincing championship victory and yet, at his peak, veteran Pearce has blown away the competition.
‘Brett, when he’s raced, has been phenomenal,’ Wallbridge said of a rider who won six from six at the focal two-day and posted the season’s fastest lap of 1min. 12.92sec. in doing so.
‘He’s missed a few races due to work commitments but realistically, he’s been head and shoulders above everybody – not taking anything away from George.
‘Smashed the fastest lap and consistency... he’s probably the rider that most kids need to learn from. He’s just so smooth, elegant and skilled.’
In a strong B Group, Braden Morris sealed the championship but the commitment of veteran Paul Le Messurier paid off in earning him second spot.
