Following a tough but good start to their 2023 racing season the week prior at the Revo British motocross championship, the 3 Flo Madison Crescent Yamaha bLU cRU team returned to the brilliant new Oakhanger venue for the opening round of the Michelin MX Nationals, which had been postponed two weeks earlier.
Images courtesy of Elliot Spencer / ESMX Photography
Although the weather was still unsettled with heavy rain showers the circuit was in better condition than the week before the team were keen to get their MX Nationals championship campaign off to a good start and we’re pleased to have their YZ85cc rider, Arthur Moore, rolling out for his first national of the year as the MX Nationals series have a combined small wheeled and big wheeled ‘Supermini’ 85cc class at each and every round. Both Arthur and Tommy Wood (YZ65) will be joining the Revo British championship at Hawkstone Park, from round 6 onward on the 17/18th June.
Following his frustrating start to the Revo British championship the previous week Hudson Roper (YZ250F) came into the weekend wanting a better performance and that’s what he did, finishing 8th overall going 8-8-10 over the three races. It’s still not where he wants to be but it was a step forward. Ollie Bubb (YZ125) continued his consistent start to life in the Youth 125 class and on the team going 5-4-6 to earn him 5th overall, the same overall result as the opening round of the Revo British championship the week earlier. On his first national outdoor race for the team Arthur Moore took fourth overall in the small wheeled 85cc class with a 5-4-4 scorecard on his YZ85 in very tough conditions for all the Supermini class.
Arthur Moore – #67 – YZ85
“That was really hard, just to keep going! I don’t think I have ever ridden a track that deep and rutty, especially today (Sunday). I wanted to do better but I’m happy to get a result and be back racing motocross. Hopefully the next round will be dry and I can attack the track a bit more. I struggled a bit in those conditions, I need to grow quicker! My YZ85 was going good though and I’m really enjoying riding it. It’s cool to have some team mates to watch and hang around with too. I can’t wait to get Monster Mountain and do it all again.”
Results
Moto 1 – 5th
Moto 2 – 4th
Moto 3 – 4th
Overall – 4th
Ollie Bubb – #44 – YZ125
“It was a bit more fun out there this week, especially Saturday. The track had dried a lot and was way more fun to ride but then it rained all night and Sunday was almost back to how it was last week. I’m pleased with another top five and a good start to this championship and now we’ve got both championships started and good points in every moto. Hopefully I can build on both and improve that little bit at each round and put a good first year on the 125 and the team together, that’s my aim.”
Results
Moto 1 – 5th
Moto 2 – 4th
Moto 3 – 6th
Overall – 5th
Hudson Roper – #36 – YZ250F
“It was a better weekend than last week, but I still struggled a lot with arm pump. I now know that I’ve done too much weight training in the winter on my arms and that hasn’t helped so I’m going to have to be patient on that until it comes around. The track was better and so were my starts but I just can’t push on without my arms suffering or feeling tight at the moment. I know I’ve got the speed to battle for podium places and that’s the frustrating. In the meantime I’ll do all I can to be in a better place and ready to race at the sharp end next time out.”
Results
Moto 1 – 8th
Moto 2 – 8th
Moto 3 – 10th
Overall – 8th
Jeff Perrett – Team Principal
“Overall I’m happy with where we’re at after the opening two rounds of national championship racing, all things considered and how late in the day we put this team together. It was good to see Arthur out there racing motocross for the first time this year after the Arenacross and he got off to steady start in the top five. He wants more and I love that, it shows where his ambitions lie. He’s one of the smallest riders out there so as he grows into the bike he’s only going to keep getting better and better. Ollie has been really consistent in his first two outings, not only in his results but also in his performances and he looks really comfortable on the bike.
“It’s clear Hudson is struggling and fighting frustration but we have a bit of time coming up where we can all work together with him on it and get him more relaxed and comfortable at the races. We all know he has good speed and he knows he has good speed, as soon as we can overcome the arm pump problem he’ll be up there in the mix. We’re all looking forward to going again at the next round of the Revo British championship. There’s a good vibe in the team as everyone gets to know each other more, a bit of good weather would help the feel good factor further though! I’m glad we’ve got through these first two races without any mechanical issues because it was hard on the bikes as much as the riders out there, but that’s a testament to the YZ’s reliability and the lads for digging deep. It’s great to be back at the races, regardless of the weather.”
