Molson Kawasaki’s Stephen Sword takes a big step toward winning the 2008 British MX2 title with a double win in Foxhill. After losing a lot of points at round five in Desertmartin due to a shoulder injury a rejuvenated Stephen Sword bounced back at round six of the series to take a double win and gain valuable points on the current series leader Shaun Simpson.
Although Simpson was quicker in qualifying and had first pick at the start gate it was Sword who powered his factory KX250F-SR off the line and into the first corner with a three metre lead. After taking the freshly watered turn one far too cautiously Stephen lost the lead briefly to Jake Nicholls but regained it on the opening lap and then worked on opening a gap on the chasing pack.
Unable to make a break Sword lost the lead to Simpson on lap two but kept his cool and closely watched the lines of the new race leader. As the race progressed into its final half Sword pressurised Shaun and finally made a move on lap 11 of 15. From there it was a relatively easy race for Stephen who stayed ahead on the fast, hardpack circuit.
Sword started second in moto two and soon latched on to the tail end of Simpson. Once more tailing Shaun, Stephen was able to line up the younger Scotsman on a number of occasions but was unable to get by cleanly. With five laps to go a flying rock popped out Sword’s goggle lens and cut his nose but the tenacious 27-year-old kept Simpson in sight and was able to take advantage of a last lap mistake to take his second moto win of the day.
By taking maximum points Sword was able to close the points deficit from nine to three and is confident he can regain the series leader’s red plate at round seven of the series at Brampton and wrap up the championship at Hawkstone Park in September.
“The first race was really good. I got a great start but in the first turn I was a little bit too cautious because they’d just watered it and I didn’t want to go down and Jake Nicholls was able to get up the inside. I regained the lead on lap one then Shaun came past but I was quite comfortable sitting in second, weighing him up and watching his lines. Just after halfway I made a move and managed to make it stick and from there I just put in some good laps towards the end to get the job done. I felt fully in control of that race.
“I got another great start in moto two but Shaun was to my inside and he edged me out in turn one. We went at it again and I thought it was going to be role reversal from moto one as although I was able to chase him it was very difficult to make up time on this circuit and make a pass. Shaun was riding really well in the second one and I was content to be chasing him waiting for the right time. Five laps from home a stone hit my goggles and popped the lens half out and I struggled with visibility for a few laps. I thought I’d have to settle for second as I didn’t want to get too close and get a stone in my eye but on the last lap I decided to go for it.
“After talking to Dave Thorpe between races I knew there was one place where I could possibly make something happen and I thought that was my only option. As I went to the outside of a corner to try a slingshot manoeuvre Shaun bobbled on the inside and crashed – I’m not sure if I unnerved him and he hit the gas and washed out or not. It was a great feeling and even though it’s not the best way to win I feel like I pressured him into it and it paid off – if I’d backed off on the last laps it possibly wouldn’t have happened and he could have cruised home.
“I’ve got to win every race from now to ensure I secure the championship and that’s the attitude I’m going to take to every race. To win both races today and take those six points back was necessary and I’m sure he knows now that I’m going to fight to the very end of the championship.”
While Sword was blessed with good luck at Swindon his Molson teammate Tom Church was not. TC entered his home round of the British Championship motivated to do well and after qualifying well in fifth position Tom started second in moto one and while running a safe and solid second, Tom suffered a soul destroying DNF when his front sprocket bizarrely broke up.
Regrouping for moto two Tom didn’t get such a great start and ended lap one in 11th place. Fighting through the pack, TC proved his speed and fitness is up to scratch as he powered through to fourth place, setting his fastest lap late in the race when most of his competition was fading in the hot and humid conditions. Out of time to rise any higher than fourth Tom had to be content with just 18 points on the day.
“I got a great start in the first race in second behind MacKenzie and put my head down and just tried to stay with him. I was running a good pace and was quite comfortably in second place until I had a problem with the front sprocket on the bike. I was quite upset not to finish as I really wanted to get back up there in the championship and I lost 22 points there.
“I had to ride my spare bike in moto two and I didn’t get the best jump off the line. I rode really hard to get through to fourth but then the front three were just too far ahead to catch. I made a big effort but there wasn’t really anything I could do and I had to settle for fourth. I’m just gonna concentrate on the next few races now – I feel like I’m riding the strongest I have all year but I just need a little bit of luck.”
The Molson team’s next outing is at the Grand Prix of Belgium at Lommel this coming weekend – August 3.
