Hanson records first Grand Prix race win for CCM
 CCM
added another chapter to their rich racing history, when Greg
Hanson became the first ever rider to record a Grand Prix
race win for the famous Bolton based company. Hanson riding
the new CCM MX450 roared to a first race win at the opening
round of the 2008 FIM Veteran Motocross World Cup held at
the spectacular Bellpuig circuit in Northern Spain. The overall
victory literally slipped from Greg’s grasp as continuous
and torrential rain brought a premature and muddy end to the
day. With conditions worsening by the minute the second race
was stopped after just two laps, when Hanson was down in fifteenth
position following a first lap incident with reigning Veteran’s
champion Dave Thorpe.
The weekend was a story of two contrasting days, with Saturday’s
practice and qualifying sessions taking place in near perfect
weather, before constant and heavy rain wrecked Sunday’s
schedule. CCM’s return to the World championship was
a mixed affair, with the team experiencing both the highs
and lows of racing at this level.
Oliver Sandiford-Smith’s debut amongst the World’s
best MX riders was short lived, with the teenager suffering
a freak accident that resulted in him dislocating his shoulder
during the first free practice session. Up until the point
of the crash Oliver had looked both strong and confident around
the technical circuit, with several consistent laps that may
have given him at least a chance of qualifying. However his
hopes of World glory were soon lost when he found a false
neutral on the approach to the start / finish jump. The resulting
injury, which was rectified under general antiseptic at the
circuit, will see Oliver out of action for a minimum of four
weeks.
Hanson used his vast experience during his qualifying session
to record the fourth fastest time without ever needing to
push himself, or take any unnecessary risks ahead of Sunday’s
two main races. Greg took the initial lead in race one before
being passed by Peter Iven on lap two. This proved to be only
a temporary set back, as Hanson took the lead back the very
next lap before establishing a nineteen second gap come the
flag.
Race two proved to be both a non-event and nonsense, but
this only slightly dented Hanson’s hopes of becoming
the first ever rider to win a World title for CCM. Greg trails
the current championship leader by a mere five points ahead
of the second round of the series that will be staged as part
of the British MXGP to be held at Mallory Park on 1st June.
Speaking about the weekend’s event, Team Principle
Gary Harthern stated. “We have tasted both extremes
of racing this weekend. Oliver’s injury is a real blow
and has left the team deflated, especially as he was looking
so comfortable. Then at the other end of the scale, it is
hard to describe just how good it felt to see Greg cross the
line. The weather spoilt what just could have been an even
better result for Greg. All we can say is roll on Mallory,
with some fit riders hopefully.”
Results:
2008 FIM Veteran Motocross World Cup – Round 1 Spain
Moto One: 1: Hanson 2: Iven 3: Eastwood 4: Blancquaert 5:
Dijkstra
Moto Two: 1: Van Dijk 2: Thorpe 3: Ducis 4: Godfroid 5: Jacobs….15:
Hanson
Overall: 1: Van Dijk 36 2: Eastwood 35 3: Godfroid 33 4: Iven
32 5: Hanson 31
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