ACU Quadcross Mark Watson Takes Podium at Duns MX
Goldspeed ACU British Quad Championship - Round 2 - June 12, 2011

KTM UK's Mark Watson took third overall at Duns MX

Promoted by Quad Racing Scotland at the superb Duns Motocross Circuit just across the Scottish border near the east coast, heavy rain on the hardpack surface prior to the meeting added an additional challenge on the spectacular 1.3 mile circuit, the dedication of the trackside team throughout the day turning what many feared as being a non-runner in to an action packed day with Watson’s performance in both motos treating the large crowd of spectators with some fantastic racing.

With conditions extremely tricky underfoot as qualifying practice got underway, one drying line in many parts of the circuit leaving loose mud just of the racing line, Watson posted 2nd fastest time despite a session fraught with difficulties, a rear flat in the early stages forcing an unscheduled change to the spare bike with two of his subsequent flying laps compromised by slower riders.

Despite being dead last after a crash Watson moved up to sixth place before the checkered flag waved in race 1!

As action got underway for the first of two twenty-five minute plus two-lap heats, Watson gated well rounding the first corner 7th and immediately began to make his way through the field before falling foul of the tricky conditions on the opening lap, his front wheel catching in the loose mud on the outside of the circuit and throwing him of the bike. Dropping to dead last and losing over half a lap to the rest of the pack as he got underway, Watson set of at a furious pace posting fastest lap of the race by over half a second as he charged through the field, gaining fourteen places in just four laps to run 15th at the halfway point! Maintaining his relentless pursuit as the race progressed, Watson continued his dramatic ascent up the leader board and with two laps to go had moved up nine more positions, Watson’s valiant effort rewarded with 6th at the checkered flag having gained an astounding twenty-three places in just ten laps.

Taking avoiding action to miss a spinning rider at the start of the final race of the day, Watson quickly overcame his compromised position and by the end of the opening lap had moved up to 5th. Increasing his pace as the track came to him and with the leader pulling away from the chasing pack, Watson continued to scythe his way through the field, making 2nd his own at one-third distance before breaching the nine second gap and taking the lead with seven laps gone. Maintaining his advantage at the front as the race entered the closing stages, a slight mistake saw Watson run wide in a corner and get stuck in a berm dropping back to 2nd, quickly re-focusing and applying tremendous pressure to try to regain the lead on the same lap but falling victim to getting cross rutted on the approach to a table top as he challenged for the lead, Watson taking a trip over the edge of the jump and dropping back a slot to take the checkered flag in 3rd.

After round 2 at Duns MX, Watson now sits fifth in the ATV Pro Points

Mark would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued and much appreciated help and support:
KTM UK, GOLDSPEED, Fox, Born Energy, T.O.P Performance Training, FMF, Motul, DWT, PEP, Berkshire Cycles, Muc-Off, D.I.D, AXP, CP Pistons, Baldwin, Silentsport, Lonestar, Quadtech, Precision, DP Brakes, Twin Air, Renthal. SSi, Jakto, Pennine Environmental Services, G-Force Suspension, One23mx.com, Hudgill Caravan Park, Idol Speed, Motion Pro, FRO Systems, Mojo, Samco Sport

Next race: Sunday 19th June 2011, GOLDSPEED EMX Quad European Championship Round 4, Randers, Denmark

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