It’s here, the much-anticipated week for the 1st Round of the ACU Michelin British Enduro Championship! This Sunday, 24th February 2019, sees the event at a new venue near Bovington Camp, Dorset.
In the Championship class there is a stacked field of British talent. Reigning champion Danny McCanney is back to defend his title aboard his TM 300 after a change of machinery during the off season. Danny was dominant last year and won the series an event early! Last year’s number 2, Jack Edmondson is back and will remain on his Sherco 300 4 stroke in the E2 class. He will be looking to get some wins under his belt this year and challenge for the Championship.
Tom Sagar will be sporting the number 3 on his Beta 300 this season, again supported by Fast Eddy Racing. Next up is Alex Snow who has recently signed for Gas Gas UK to race the BEC and also Gas Gas Factory for the World Championship. He will be on a 300 2 stroke and be a heavy hitter in the E3 class and scratch classification alike. Dan Mundell has traded his little 125 from last season for a 250 4 stroke Sherco and will be out to better his results from last season. Alex Walton has made the same move as Mundell and steps up into the E1 4 stroke class.
The expert class is wide open this year with no clear favourite! The Malcolm Rathmell Sport Sherco trio of Ricky Wiggins, Aaron Gordon and Richard Tucker will take some beating, but there is a swarm of buzzing 125’s looking to do some damage. Harry Edmondson, Henry Yardley and Max Ditchfield are all worth keeping an eye on. Last year’s Clubman British Champion Lewis Ranger has swapped his yellow plates for green ones this year and will be in the mix for E2 and overall honours!
In the Clubman Class there are two contenders rolling over from last year... Josh Kirby and Darren Kiff who finished 4th and 5th in last year’s championship. Kiff will be pushing hard for the E3 title and the overall alongside Kirby who will want to take the E1 4 stroke win. Two other notable riders in this class are BSB star Tommy Bridewell and TT podium man Martin Jessopp. It will be great to see these two high profile road racers here at the British Enduro Championship!
In the Over 40’s Andrew Edwards is back to defend his crown from Andrew Reeves while last year’s #2 Russell Millward moves into the Over 50’s category.
In the Over 50’s Paul Davies is back to try and take another title home, but he will have last year’s runner up, Julian Oakes hot on his heels alongside Russell Millward, a new addition to the class, and former top rider, Richard Hay.
Last but my no means least we must mention the female riders. This year there is no specific Ladies class, the ladies class is within the main classes and runs the same as the Under 23 there will be a ladies champion in each class. They will be mixing it up within the Clubman and Expert classes. In the Experts Jane Daniels will be chasing the E1 4 stroke title. Meanwhile last year’s Ladies Champion Rosie Rowett will be in the Clubman Class and looking to challenge for the E1 2 stroke class and overall honours alike. Joining Rosie in the Clubman Class will be Kate Smith, Rhian George, Stef Jewell, Abi Childs and Ellie Cooke!
We look forward to seeing you all at the first round for the biggest and best year of BEC Competition yet!
Address - Bovington Training Area, Gallows Hill, Bovington. Dorset BH20 7NG.
Camping and test walking available from 10 am Saturday