World quadcross pain as Hillsborough's Mark McLernon ‘just couldn’t keep it going’
Hillsborough’s Mark McLernon adopted a FIM World Quadcross Championship damage limitation approach in England following a catalogue of problems which left him fighting from the back of the field.
The Ulster rider endured engine issues from the outset and was unable to set a lap in timed practice, leaving him at the rear of the grid.
“It was a struggle for the whole weekend,” McLernon admitted after round four in Kent. “We started with engine problems and then more engine problems...I qualified last because I never got a proper time in practice.”
Despite the setbacks, he produced a strong recovery in the qualifying race, climbing through the field to finish 11th and secure a front row starting position for the main races.
He showed good pace early in both motos and spent much of the opening race running around sixth position before fading slightly in the closing stages to finish seventh.
“I had two decent starts and was running well, but I just couldn’t keep it going for the last five minutes of the first race and lost a couple of places,” he said. “I think I finished about where I started, but I definitely rode better in the second race (after eighth).
Finishing ninth overall, he still lies fourth in the standings as the series heads to Poland.
Lewis Spratt enjoyed a perfect weekend at the opening round of the Irish Motocross Championship in Doon, securing an impressive six wins from six races across two classes on the Jet Products Yamaha.
Racing in the MXY2 class on Saturday, Spratt claimed three victories from three starts. His standout ride came in the final race after a poor start left him at the back of the field but, on a track with overtaking opportunities limited, finished strongly despite the challenge posed by several fast 125cc riders.
The Omagh rider continued his winning form on Sunday in the Pro MX2 class, again recording a maximum score with three wins from three outings. Competing alongside the MX1 450cc riders, the teenager also impressed in the overall standings – finishing fifth, fourth and fourth for third overall.
Castlewellan teenager Alfie Herron maintained the form that has him sixth in the British 125 Championship by bringing the 125 TM home second in Saturday's youth races – behind Arthur Moore – and third overall in the Pro MX2 on Sunday.
Despite still racing with an injured wrist, Donaghcloney’s Niall Cregan claimed overall victory in the MX1 class. The Kawasaki rider finished second behind Nathan Green on the GOMX Yamaha in race one, but went one better in race two where he got the hole shot and finished just over a second clear of Green.
Race three was red-flagged after Green crashed heavily. Thankfully, he wasn’t seriously injured. In the rerun, Coleraine’s Lennox Dickinson took the win on the MY SOLAR TRUE Husqvarna, with Cregan second.
With three third-place finishes, Ballymoney rider Jordan McCaw was second overall on the 350 GasGas.
“I’ve just returned to full-time racing after surgery for a motocross-related injury and I felt good,” said McCaw. “I’m getting a bit closer to the front guys, race by race.”