Cingoli 2018 marked the 5th Connor Smith Memorial meeting and it was a huge success with 8 riders representing the UK, competed over 2 days at the awesome track of Cingoli Italy, where the Quad Cross Des Nations was held in 2017 and the Americans reigned supreme!!
This year it was different when the Brits held their heads high with 4 of the 8 reaching the podium and taking the silverware back to the UK.
Ayrton Knowles who had a mixed Saturday with a spill on one of the large double jumps, pulled his way back through to 3rd in the sport class with 3 very strong rides for the youngster.
Alfie Walker on his new 250cc Yamuski started with a cautious approach to day one, but with a night to sleep on it as he spared the Italians no mercy with two confident wins and winning the youth 250cc class by some margin ending up 4th overall in the adult support and vet group
Scot, Murray Graham who has had the pleasure of riding most of the 5 visits to Cingoli set a blistering pace in timed training and looked to be going to the gate first on Sunday only to be summonsed to P3 after Both Walker and Mastronardi pulled their best laps out with seconds to spare. Murray slept on it and in warm up proved again he could still go fastest, Murray took runner up honours on the weekend with p3/2/3 in class.
A very 'on form' and consistent Harry Walker took a win in moto 1, then a second in class behind Mastronardi on Moto 2. But in the Superfinal he saved the best till last and took the win with a breath-taking pass on Patrick Turrini on his Weinen Yamaha, in the last lap with 500 metres to go right in front of everyone to see!
The grandstand and pit box both lit up and he instantly became the 'star of the day!’ with the Itallian Crowds, becoming the Only Brit to bring the Connor Smith Memorial Trophy back to the UK in its five years existence under the close observations of Connors Father Bill Smith
Both Steve Pinder and Matt Alberti experienced the perils these 'big tracks' can bring with a couple of spills too in the vet class! Adam Robinson finished a very respectable 5th in class and Mark Wilson 4th
The whole event was a very heartfelt tribute to the life of Connor with all participating Pro and Sport riders present with their bikes for a fitting tribute revving their bikes @ Connors Memorial stone on Saturday evening.
The meeting manages to maintain its momentum due to the generosity of the 'Smith family' to keep the memories alive of Connors hobby and the togetherness of the UK Quad clubs and supporters who travelled to assist.
Our thanks and gratitude go out to the Motorcycle Club of Cingoli who hosts the whole event as part of their championship and extending an invitation to have lunch on the Sunday in their room under the grandstand!
Roll on 2019!!