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All You Need To Know – 2023 Ashbrook Hawkstone International.

Your Complete Guide to the 2023 Ashbrook Hawkstone International

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This Sunday, the Ashbrook Hawkstone International brings the British 2023 outdoor Motocross season to life, and will give fans of MXGP the prologue to the epic saga that the 2023 MXGP season is set to become.

Words: Ben Rumbold | Lead Image: Hawkstone International

Let’s not forget that this story reaches its conclusion in the UK as well, as Matterley Basin hosts the final round of the championship on the 1st of October. And with the recent injury to reigning World MXGP Champion Tim Gajser, it’s highly likely that one of the big stars attracted to race in Shropshire will go on to be crowned in Hampshire!

The Revo British Championship and the Michelin Nationals will both start in the deep sand of new venue Oakhanger in March, so all riders contesting those series will be getting some valuable time in the soft stuff in preparation for those title tilts.

If you’ve never been to Hawkstone before, treat yourself. Despite some grumblings about recent track updates amongst older fans, it is still a proper old school, hard graft, testing the very best, kind of circuit. With the weather forecast looking good for the weekend and social media images of the big hill being prepared, this could be one of the very best times to ever catch this race.

First off – some vital Housekeeping: The postcode to aim your Sat Nav at is SY4 4NA.  Those using the “what3words” app will need to enter “them.boomed.rave”.  It’s signposted from the A49 Leominster to Shrewsbury road. The £40 entry fee includes a programme but the biggest message is – TAKE CASH!  There will be a cash machine but I wouldn’t fancy that queue. The signal there is terrible so you cannot rely on card machines, Apple Pay, smartphones, any of it, and this message has been pressed by the organisers as well.  That goes for the gate, the trade stands, the bar, the burger van.  They might have card machines but do yourselves a favour and DO NOT rely on that or it will spoil your day. Feel the fibre of your fabric – cash is king.

Phones: Due to the poor signal and the thousands that will be trying to find it, arrange a time and place to meet friends or family there beforehand because it’s highly likely you won’t be able to call or text, FB message, tweet, WhatsApp, anything.  Something loose like “bottom of the hill before the Pro race” is usually a safe bet.  I did say it was old school!

Tickets can be bought on the gate ONLY – it’s £40 for adults and £5 for children between 5 and 15, including free parking and free entry to the riders’ paddock. The racing starts from 8.45am and will go on until around 4pm. The gates open at 7am.

Dogs must be kept on a lead, mess must be cleared up, they must be friendly with people and happy around bikes.

Camping is £40 per pitch and opens at 12 noon on Saturday 25th February, with the gates closing at 7pm. No open fires are allowed.

Livestream: Please note there will be NO live streaming in 2023 – there have been scammers advertising this service but it is NOT happening – please DO NOT give your payment details to anyone regarding a Hawkstone Livestream!  It did happen last year and the club felt it cost them attendance figures, so it ain’t on – a shame as I would have fancied that commentary job!  As it is we’ll be listening to the excellent Roger Warren and Darren Bartholomew trackside.

Viewing Points: As someone who’s been going to the place since I was in nappies, let me point you towards a few nice spots, depending on your viewing preference.

  1. The Hill – if it’s in use, take advantage of it. Brave the climb because it is so worth it. If you can get right to the very top, where they are at full gas and fly past your nose, it’s the best buzz that side of the chestnut paling! You’ll get covered in sand but this is Motocross, people. Risk it for a biscuit!
  2. Bombhole/Sand Pit – whatever you want to call it, they jump into it now from a distance and it is a total spectacle. Marvel at how heavy they land when they come short, be amazed at the rutty mess they jump into and be awestruck by the balls required to go for that blind leap.
  3. The start-line – yes, it’s only for the beginning, but I love that first gate drop when all the new bikes and kit are clean and pristine for the only time all day! Then you can join the rush across the track to see the first lap chaos – always a lot of fun!
  4. In the woods – as the track runs across the end of the start straight there’s a section there where you can get really close and feel the speed, look into the goggles, see the anger.
  5. Before the finish line – this left hander before it drops downhill towards the flag makes me feel happy to be in the four-stroke era – you can FEEL the grunt of the big 450s going through there, and you can turn to follow the race around the various loops visible from there too, probably one of the best spots for both getting up close and for watching other parts of the track.

The Line-Up:

Now for the good bit – the stars of the show! Think what you like about it, but the mixture of the two classes should bring some intriguing racing.  There’s no doubt that the headline acts are amongst the best riders in the world.

From the MXGP elite, Jeffrey Herlings needs no introduction – five times a World Champion, 99 Career Grand Prix wins, that famous AMA National win at the only time of asking… the 28-year-old Dutchman has been one of the fastest riders on the planet, especially in the soft stuff, since he burst onto the adult scene 13 years ago. It speaks volumes for his calibre we say he has “only” five titles – he has lost at least that many again through injury, from which he is returning once more with his second set of gate drops to come at Hawkstone.

Joining Jeffrey is the man who pushed him all the way for the 2021 MXGP crown, Factory Kawasaki’s Romain Febvre. Turning 31 on New Year’s Eve just gone, he won the title in 2015 and only injury, Gajser, and Herlings have denied him more than that. He fell just five short of Herlings’ tally in 2021 and returned from injury to win the last moto of last season. He comes into 2023 fully fit and would relish the chance to beat Herlings on his first visit to Hawkstone.

Also out for the win will be last year’s winner, Factory Yamaha man Glenn Coldenhoff, having just turned 32 and with a new trainer, in the shape of his life. Having won 5 GPs in his career, to dominant MXoN performances and a 3rd in the 2019 MXGP series, he feels that he’s in with a real chance of this world crown, and will really be on it at Hawkstone.

Those three are likely to be your podium men, but a whole host of GP regulars and British stars will be after them as well. From overseas the challenge is met by German Henry Jacobi, Dutchman Davy Pootjes, Belgian Brent van Doninck, Estonian Hardi Roosiorg, and Swede Alvin Ostlund.  They’re joined by foreign stars who will be campaigning the 2023 domestic championships, Estonian Harri Kullas the multiple Michelin Nationals Champ, and six-time South African Champ Tristan Purdon, who could be a real dark horse for British glory this year.

Britain’s best chances of a podium lie with both Sarholz KTM’s Adam Sterry, who normally plies his trade in Germany now but loves Hawkstone having tasted MX2 champers here before, and of course Scottish legend Shaun Simpson, who finished equal on points with Herlings just a couple of years ago. Shaun has been sharpening his teeth in the Arenacross series so will almost feel agoraphobic at Hawkstone!

Other stars of the British scene who will be out to get amongst them include the Chambers Racing GASGAS squad of Dan Thornhill and Tom Grimshaw, the new Ultimate Wheels/Thunder Road Honda team of Louie Kessell and Luke Smith, Northern Irish veteran Martin Barr, KTM-mounted battlers Ashton Dickinson and Liam Knight, plus the intriguing new signing to Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha, last year’s MX2 British runner-up Jamie Carpenter.

Scored separately but looking to not get lost amongst the MX1 boys, the MX2 entrants also give us a fascinating prospect, headlined by KX250 riders Mikkel Haarup from Denmark and GTCI Revo Kawasaki’s Dylan Walsh, fresh from his exploits in West Coast AMA Supercross. Joel Rizzi is the hottest young British prospect in the class, and Jake Millward could also get into the mix as he moves from MX1. Young hotshots Callum Mitchell, Jamie Wainwright, Sam Nunn and Alfie Jones are worth watching, then there are adult racing rookies James Barker and Ollie Colmer to cheer on.  Two-stroke fans will enjoy the amazingly-titled McVities Husqvarna of recent retiree Jamie Law as that crisp sound echoes through the woods!

A host of talent also fights for the Adult Support class honours – Joel Fisher has just won the Arenacross Futures Championship, while Domonic Newbury, Ben Zeale, Hudson Roper, and Harvey Cashmore are all progressing from impressive Youth careers this season.

The EMX 125 class will see some young guns that you’ll want to note the names of – Reece Jones has won through most of the smaller classes in his career, Cole McCullough is an exciting prospect from Northern Ireland, Jake Walker moves up from 85cc machines and always charges hard, Kasimir Hindesson is a fine talent from Finland, and the MGMX squad of Freddie Gardiner and Lucy Barker (one to cheer for female fans) are also looking to impress on their 125cc debuts.

It’s gonna be a barnstormer of a day, see below for the timetable and entry lists, and get your MX-loving backsides to Shropshire to really kickstart your 2023!

For more information, please see Hawkstone International on Facebook / Instagram or www.hawkstoneinternationalmx.com

Timetable Hawkstone International 2023

Saturday 25th February

12.00 – 7.00pm                       Gates Open for Camping

2.00 – 4.00pm                         Technical Control

Sunday 26th February

7.00am                                    Gates Open for Spectators

7.45 – 8.45am                         Technical Control

9.00 – 9.25                              Adult Support Practice & Qualifying

Up to 5 minutes start practise, 5 minutes free, 15 minutes timed.

9.30 – 9.55                              EMX 125cc Practice & Qualifying

Up to 5 minutes start practise, 5 minutes free, 15 minutes timed

10.00 – 10.30                          MX1/MX2 International Practice & Qualifying

Up to 5 minutes start practise, 10 minutes free, 15 minutes timed.

10.40                                       Adult Support Race 1 (15 minutes + 1 lap)

Interval

12.00                                       EMX 125 Race 1 (15 minutes + 1 lap)

12.30                                       International MX1/MX2 Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

1.05                                         Adult Support Race 2 (15 minutes + 1 lap)

1.30                                         EMX 125 Race 2 (15 minutes + 1 lap)

1.55                                         International MX1/MX2 Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

2.30                                         Adult Support Race 3 (15 minutes + 1 lap)

2.55                                         EMX 125 Race 3 (15 minutes + 1 lap)

3.25                                         MX1/MX2 Superfinal (25 minutes + 1 laps)

PRESENTATION Top 3 Superfinal – Georges Jobe Trophy – Winner, Vaughan Semmens Memorial Trophy – Best British Rider, Top 5 EMX125 and top 3 Adult Support

Entry Lists

MX1 International
No Name Machine cc Country
3 Romain Febvre Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 450 France
7 Louie Kessell Ultimate Wheels/Thunder Road Completely Motorbikes TMS Media Honda 450 England
16 Tom Grimshaw Chambers Racing GASGAS 450 England
17 Luke Smith Ultimate Wheels/Thunder Road Completely Motorbikes TMS Media Honda 450 Ireland
24 Shaun Simpson Gabriel SS24 KTM 450 Scotland
29 Henry Jacobi Sarholz KTM 450 Germany
32 Brent van Doninck JM Racing Honda 450 Belgium
46 Davy Pootjes KTM 450 Netherlands
50 Martin Barr Apico Husqvarna 450 N. Ireland
75 Hardi Roosiorg JWR Honda Racing 450 Estonia
84 Jeffrey Herlings Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MXGP 450 Netherlands
95 Dan Thornhill Chambers Racing GASGAS 450 England
115 Ashton Dickinson Talk Templant KTM 450 England
134 Liam Knight KTM 450 England
141 Tristan Purdon Gabriel SS24 KTM 450 South Africa
151 Harri Kullas Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha 450 Estonia
161 Alvin Ostlund JWR Honda Racing 450 Sweden
184 Jamie Carpenter Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha 450 England
259 Glenn Coldenhoff Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP 450 Netherlands
811 Adam Sterry Sarholz KTM 450 Wales
MX2 International
No Name Machine cc Country
11 Mikkel Haarup Big Van World MTX Kawasaki 250 Denmark
25 Jamie Law McVities Husqvarna 250 England
32 Calum Mitchell Lexa MX Racing Husqvarna 250 England
40 Jamie Wainwright WPH/SBE Engineering/Pure Building/Redline KTM 250 England
53 Dylan Walsh GTCI Revo Kawasaki 250 England
119 Bailey Johnston Verde Shiloh KTM 250 England
195 Rob Clitheroe Dickinson Tool Hire Yamaha 250 England
300 Ben Franklin Chambers Racing GASGAS 250 England
303 Jake Millward Verde Shiloh KTM 250 England
337 Glenn McCormick Chambers Racing GASGAS 250 Ireland
365 Sam Nunn Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha 250 England
410 James Barker MGMX KTM 250 England
411 Shaun Mahoney Gabriel Insulations KTM UK 250 Wales
456 Ollie Colmer Talk Templant KTM 250 England
717 Calum Marriott Team EMX Academy France Husqvarna 250 France
719 Jimmy Margetson AJP Racing Husqvarna 250 England
731 Alfie Jones Chambers Racing GASGAS 250 England
817 Raf Meuwissen Young Motion Powered by Resa Yamaha 250 Holland
912 Joel Rizzi Riley Racing Yamaha 250 Wales
Adult Support Race
No Name Machine cc Town
10 Harvey Cashmore Chambers Racing GASGAS 250 Compton
11 Rhys Baker
18 Joe Khamouli Triple D Motorsport/Reid Builders/Leach Scrap Metal GASGAS Kendal
23 Johnjoe Wright Mr Dig/Ninety One Moto Honda 450 Stanley
28 Charlie Griffiths 426 Motorsport KTM 350 Cleobury Mortimer
31 Charlie Whitlow Lancit Haulage Honda 250 Heysham
33 Dan Brough Rutzz.co.uk/Pinewood Energy Racing Yamaha 250 Yarnfield
36 Hudson Roper 3Flo/Madison/Crescent Yamaha blucru 250 Halifax
37 Shane Whitaker Assiette Cat/TVB/PP Training/Owkay Kawasaki 250 Clitheroe
41 Matt Tolley 426 Motorsport KTM 250 Pershore
42 Charlie Razzell PJR Motors Yamaha 250 Bracknell
52 Harry Foster RFX KTM 450 Ormskirk
63 Daniel Arkell PSU Designs Ltd KTM 250 Bromsgrove
70 David Finnamore Ross Quarry Products Ltd Husqvarna 350 Belfast
84 Reece Ross Ross Quarry Products Ltd Husqvarna 250 Belfast
87 Aaron Holden PP Sports powered by Southside MX Honda 250 Diss
95 Brad Thornhill LMC/Radcord KTM 450 Stonehouse
97 Paul Burn DBC Motorcycles/BG Motorsport KTM 350 Milton Keynes
101 Christopher Read MJ Off Road/4gunzmxmidlands Kawasaki 250 Moreton
111 Richy Roberts Rutzz.co.uk/Pinewood Energy Racing Yamaha 250 Bowling Bank
113 Joe Wright SRH Racing KTM 125 Featherstone
123 Dave Hamer Honda 500 Southampton
125 Paul Hubbard Herts MX Honda 450 Diss
131 Ben Zeale Mundell Plant Hire Ltd/JD Racing GASGAS 250 Torrington
141 Sebastian Berthiaume Advance Shutters Ltd Yamaha 450 Lymington
143 Callum Bircher Mr T`s/Feehily Racing KTM 250 Barrow in Furness
150 Aaron Patstone Brenron/Molson/Kior/Shaw Honda 450 Leamington Spa
171 Arai Elcock KTM 450
211 Joshua Price Jtek/S.T Molloy Honda 450 Wirral
233 Dane Thompson Honda 250 Birkenhead
266 Conor Ellingworth Feehily MX KTM 450 Anglesey
274 Daniel Shutt Shutt Joinery & Construction KTM 250 Ribchester
313 Danny Townsend KTM 250 Burnley
333 Dan Houlker DH Builders/RV Ltd KTM 250
392 Henry Hearn Husqvarna 250 Yiewsley
404 Dominic Newbury 426 Motorsport KTM 250 Swindon
711 Joel Fisher AD Modular/Tech4 MX/Beer Trading KTM 250 Warmingham
841 Ryan Nock Tech MX-VBS-Dynes-KAS Kawasaki 450 Larkfield
855 Ashley Cotterell Internation Wulfsport KTM 450 Cheslyn Hay
999 Conner Challinor AD Modular Ltd Kawasaki 250 Crewe
Reserve
4 Harry Bradley
EMX 125
No Name Machine Town/Country
2 Yarin Evans SRH Racing Team KTM Bridgnorth
3 Lucy Barker Team Matt Gardiner MX KTM Driffield
5 Jack Brearey NBE Racing GASGAS Batley
7 Tyler Jones KTM Southampton
10 Levi Saunders Blue-3 KTM Stockbury
12 Rees Jones ET James Youth Enduro Team GASGAS Llanidloes
14 Jon Waghorn Elevation – JWS Yamaha Medway
18 Rocco Hands Motobase/C Nunn Academy/J Aim M/Cycles/Besthorpe MX KTM Colchester
20 Alfie Thompson Moto33/Berts Motorcycles KTM Shanklin
21 Emmanuel Bako Betterbrands Petroleum – EMX Academy France Zimbabwe
24 Sion Wright SRH Racing/C A Wright Construction KTM Builth Wells
25 Harry Bebb Mid Wales Leisure Fantic Llanidloes
40 Ted Deacon Rogue MX/Backyard Design GASGAS Cheltenham
43 Markuss Kalnins CCM Racing/Loredo Husqvarna Louth
46 Harry Shand KTM Isle of Man
55 Ryan Waggott Team Hutch Racing KTM Carlisle
78 Roan Delaney Carbon Comps KTM Lydney
82 Ashden Barlow 723 Racebikes/TLD/CI Sport/Spy/DEP/KAIS/A Vision Fantic Chelmsford
96 Alfie Crealock-Lovell Marsh MX Husqvarna Port Talbot
99 Jake Walker Mr T`s Racing/SCT/RMJ KTM Wirral
104 Reece Jones SJP Moto KTM Great Houghton
114 Freddie Gardiner Team Matt Gardiner MX KTM Gloucester
118 Max Smith Redline Motorcycles KTM Ashton
121 Max Walsham 121 Stylish Prints OutPatient Network Yamaha Milton Keynes
145 Braidy Tucker SJP/Moto-Slik Design/57 Tyres/Motoverde KTM Newport
148 Declan Wright SPS Motorcycle/FTS Suspension KTM Sheffield
191 Kayden Smith PP Sports Yamaha Bungay
199 Lewis Bethell Nora CRS/VIP Motocross/EBC Brakes Husqvarna Northampton
226 Sam Hughes Digga Rentals/FIR Racing/Ace Suspension KTM Oswestry
307 Alfie Lewis TA365Roll/Perfect Impressions/ERS Susp Yamaha Ellesmere
323 Beau Brown AGR Motorsport KTM Isle of Man
372 Leon Northall ERS Suspension/Motoverde KTM Ellesmere
433 Kai Thorpe Eastwood Plant Hire Yamaha Eastwood
480 Kasimir Hindesson MotoPalvelu KTM Finland
505 Ben McConville KTM Dromore
526 Cody Spacagna Trevor Pope M/C LRS/Ironsight/King & Stevens KTM Eastleigh
538 Billy Thornton Rapid 538 Clothing KTM York
545 Wesley McGavin KTM Lutterworth
555 Cole McCullough Milwaukee KTM Ireland
654 Jack Dando KTM Westbury
741 Harrison Clarke FBRT/MJW/Syntol KTM Rotherham



European Motocross

Results: Lierop International

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Find all the results from Lierop below.

MX1 Overall

MX2 Overall

Lead Image: Ray Archer/KTM

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European Motocross

Lucas and Sacha Coenen confirmed for Lierop

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This Sunday (March 3) the Dutch motocross season will start at the Herselse Bossen circuit in Lierop. The field of racers is getting stronger and stronger and it promises to be a really high-level race.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Husqvarna/Bavo Swijgers


The MX2 class is full of young and motivated riders and Lucas and Sacha Coenen will join them for Lierop. These talented twins regularly impressed in the MX2 World Championship last year and Lucas won his first Grand Prix in Indonesia at the age of sixteen.

A fifth place was his share in the final standings and he certainly wants to improve on that this year. Sacha also regularly showed that he has the speed to compete at the front. Highlights were his second place in the qualifying heat in Finland and top five finishes in the Czech Republic and Sweden.

In the deep sand of Lierop, the Coenen brothers will compete against riders like Kay de Wolf, Cas Valk, Hakon Osterhagen, Max Werner, Scott Smulders, Bradley Mesters, Hakon Fredriksen, Oriol Oliver and others.

Also in the 500 class we get fireworks with the participation of Jeffrey Herlings, Jago Geerts, Pauls Jonass, Calvin Vlaanderen, Brent van Doninck and others.

The weather forecast looks good, so the Dutch MX Season Opener in Lierop has all the ingredients to see a great day of racing.

For more information have a look at www.maclierop.nl

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European Motocross

Results: Spanish Championship Talavera

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Find all the results from Round 1 of the Spanish Championship at Talavera below.

MX1 Overall

MX2 Overall

Lead Image: JP Acevedo / RFME

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