Husky Sport’s Supermoto report from Lydd

Pic: Carly Rathmell
By Carly Rathmell
October 19 2004

Christian Iddon had a successful end to the 2004 ACU British Supermoto Championships, with a win, two seconds and a third in the 450 and Open Class races at Lydd. But it was not without drama for the 19-year-old Husky Sport rider.

Iddon had been suffering with a sickness bug throughout the weekend, and also suffered a huge crash in the Final Open Class race.

Iddon was on a mission as he headed to the Kent circuit of Lydd, and wanted to end his British season on a high note. He was locked in a tight battle with Matt Winstanley in both the 450 races, and the two youngsters pushed each other hard. It was Winstanley that gained the marginal win from Iddon in the first race, however. The two were almost touching each other as they crossed the line! 0.17 seconds separated the two.

Iddon was determined that the second race win would belong to him. Battling again with Winstanley, it was the young High-Peak rider that got the advantage and took a well earned win, 0.2 seconds ahead of Winstanley, with Leighton Haigh a distant third.

On to the Open Class races, and a good start from Iddon in the first race saw him latch onto the back of Winstanley. Winstanley pulled a slight advantage, but Iddon fought hard and gained a valiant second place.

Husky Sport rider and Londoner Jay Smith was still recovering from two serious injuries that he has sustained throughout the season. A broken arm early in the season, and broken bones in his foot at the last round, have proven a nightmare. This was not going to deter the youngster, however, and he made a brave attempt to ride in both the Open Class races. Setting fast times throughout the weekend, Jay was unable to put it all together and get the results he had hoped for. Suffering with his fitness, Jay still managed an impressive seventh place in the second Open Class race. He will soon go to America to compete in the final three AMA Supermoto Series, which he is thoroughly looking forward to.

It was during the second race that Iddon came to blows. On the second to last lap, as he exited the off-road section, he somehow lost control of his Husqvarna and crashed out in impressive style. Determined, he was not going to let this distract him and he remounted and still managed to finish in third place.

Commenting, Iddon said, “It’s been a tough weekend as I’ve been feeling pretty poorly. I tried to put illness to the back of my mind and just get on with it. I was feeling pretty weak by the last race and was chasing Matt hard. I lost control and have taken all the skin off my arm. I’m very sore, but it has still been a good weekend. I’ve finished third overall in both the 450 and Open Class Championships, and still have a number of World rounds to compete in, so the year isn’t over just yet.”

450 Race one
1 M Winstanley, 17:36.22
2 C Iddon, 17:36.39
3 L Haigh, 18:16.89
4 J White
5 N Scott
6 J Hilton
7 R McNealy
8 D Tollet
9 A Clarke
10 G Kinsella

450 Race two
1 Iddon, 17:31.63
2 Winstanley, 17:31.83
3 Haigh, 18:05.14
4 White
5 A Smith
6 Scott
7 Tollet
8 Kinsella
9 M Pope
10 Clarke

Open Class race one
1 Winstanley, 17:41.65
2 Iddon, 17:50.04
3 S Warren, 17:59.78
4 R Cross
5 D Tougher
6 D Dunn
7 J White
8 G Kinsella
9 R Simpson
10 A Smith

Open Class race two
1 Winstanley, 17:29.22
2 Smith, 17:36.33
3 Iddon, 17:55.34
4 Warren
5 Cross
6 Dunn
7 J Smith
8 T O’Callaghan
9 Kinsella
10 Hilton

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