The Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee squad returned to familiar territory earlier on; the second round of the 2022 ACU British Motocross Championship was run at the historic circuit of Foxhill. The team operated with both MX2 riders for the first time in six weeks, as Kay Karssemakers joined Isak Gifting under the team tent for the first time since his wrist injury.
In his first visit to Foxhill, Gifting overcame adversity to exit the venue with the championship lead. A rather solid second place in moto one set him up well for a positive overall result, but a fall in turn one and incident with another rider left him with a lot of work to do in moto two. Showing more determination, he recovered to third to take second in the overall classification. The 42 points that were secured catapulted him into the series lead too. One point is his advantage entering round three of the eight-round championship.
For Kay Karssemakers, Foxhill was an encouraging return to racing and one that ended with him securing a trophy for the first time this season. Using the power within his KTM 250 SX-F to secure two amazing starts, he posted consistent 3-4 scores on a track that he is unfamiliar with to stand on the overall podium in third. Karssemakers will continue to gain more bike time and momentum in the coming weeks, as he edges closer to one hundred percent.
It is back to international duty for the Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee squad now, as the sixth round of the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship will be run on April 24. The Grand Prix of Latvia will play host to the event.
Isak Gifting: “I felt alright with my riding today at the British Championship! It’s a shame that there was so much unprovoked drama, as neither me or the team have got anything to do with it.”
Kay Karssemakers: “I had a good start in the first race in second. Isak passed me and I finished the race in third, which was good! I took the holeshot in the second moto. That was nice to take and the first ten minutes were very good. I was riding in first place and had a small gap on second, but unfortunately I crashed and lost some places. I finished fourth for third overall, which was good for the first race back. I’m happy to be back and get my first podium with Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee, so thanks to them and all of my sponsors.”
Roger Magee (Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee Team Owner): “Good news for the team this weekend, with Kay back to racing after his scaphoid injury in Mantova. Foxhill was obviously the first time at the venue for both Isak and Kay, and in time practice they showed good pace giving them both good gate picks for the two motos.
“Moto one saw both finish in P2 and P3 respectively. Moto two saw Kay get his first British Championship holeshot whereas Isak fell in turn one and had to climb back through the field, ending up P3 and P2 on the overall podium along with Kay in P3 overall. Despite mounting speculation on social media since the end of racing, no protest or complaint was made by any of the personnel of Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee regarding any incident in the second MX2 moto.”
