No place for Searle in Britain’s Des Nations team

DESPITE winning the British Championship in Cornwall last weekend, Tommy Searle has been overlooked by Britain’s team manager Mark Chamberlain for the Motocross Des Nations in the Netherlands this weekend, writes Mick Perry.

However, runner-up Shaun Simpson gets the open class ride, while Adam Sterry, sixth in the world championships 250cc class, fills the up-to-250cc spot. Max Anstie is out injured, so Nathan Watson will contest the MX One class. Countries taking part include France, whose squad includes Gautier Paulin and Romain Febvre. Favourites must be the Netherlands, who have Jeffrey Herlings. USA have not named their side, while Switzerland have Jeremy Seewer and Arnaud Tonos. Tim Gajser is in the Slovenian side. Other teams in action include Belgium, who have Clement Desalle, while Antonio Cairoli is in the Italian side. Pauls Jonass rides for Latvia and Arminas Jasikonis for Lithuania.

The only local motocross tomorrow is the penultimate round of the South West Off Road Series at Littlehempston, near Totnes. The South West Centre Trial Championship stages the Moretonhampstead Club’s eighth round, and World Youth champion Billy Green may be in the line-up to challenge runaway championship leader Joe Baker over three laps of a dozen sections.

Jason Hamblin and Andy Frost clash in the Wells Club’s Timed and Observation Trial. Other events tomorrow include Kingswood’s trial, while Bath Classic Club stage a pre1965 and British Bike Trial.

Today’s one event is the Yeo Vale Club’s Trial.