Press Release

Round 15 of the World Championship – Faenza, Italy – 14th September 2008

MACKENZIE TOP HONDA RIDER FOR 2008


The final round of the MX1 World Championship was held at the hilly location of Faenza in Italy.


The weather was a bit mixed but the track was in perfect condition for qualifying on Saturday. Billy MacKenzie was still recovering from his rib injury and had been having laser treatment all week. He managed to qualify in 15th position ready for the following days racing.


Billy gated extremely well in the first race from an unfavourable position on the start line, and rode a good steady race to bring the Monster Energy backed Honda past the chequered flag in a well deserved 5th spot.


He didn’t get off the start very well in the second race but was in the top 10 by the end of the first lap, however on the fourth lap Pourcel and Barragan crashed in front of him and he had no-where to go but straight into them, then shortly after another rider wiped Billy out completely, and he had to set off again and try and get back into the race. He did, and with his lap times as fast as the leading pack he pushed his way through to a final 10th spot behind Championship winner Philippearts.


Billy ended the season as the top Honda rider in 9th place overall, which considering some of the bad luck and injuries he had picked up during the season, was well deserved and now has much to look forward to in 2009 with the CAS Team.


Billy MacKenzie: On Saturday I didn’t get into it at all and I was in so much pain, Neil Prince wasn’t sure I should ride but my goal was to finish as the top Honda rider and I had to ride to do this. I think it’s been a good weekend considering the amount of pain I’ve been in. One good thing is that it’s given me the confidence to go to Hawkstone, knowing I can push hard.


Neil Prince: Billy did good this weekend and I’m very happy with his performance. He showed true determination especially in the second moto when he had to come from the back of the field.


Harry Ainsworth: This had been a good weekend, Billy had a brilliant first race bringing the bike home in 5th and after not gating well in the second race, having riders crash in front of him and then being taken out by another rider, he found himself out of the points, but Billy fought through the pack, lapping as fast as the leaders to get himself up to 10th place, one of the best races this season.


Results – Race 1

1st M Nagl, 2nd K DeDycker, 3rd D Philippearts, 4th J Barragan, 5th B MacKenzie, 6th M DeReuver


Results – Race 2

1st M Nagl, 2nd S Ramon, 3rd J Coppins, 4th J Barragan, 5th K DeDycker, 6th T Leok


Results – Overall on the day

1st M Nagl, 2nd K DeDycker, 3rd J Barragan


Overall Results of the 2008 World Championship

1st D Philippearts 509 points, 2nd S Ramon 495 points, 3rd K DeDycker 490 points, 4th J Barragan 455 points, 5th J Coppins 446 points, 6th M Nagl 444 points, 7th S Pourcel 392 points, 8th T Leok 352 points, 9th B MacKenzie 320 points


Photo – Billy MacKenzie


 


See you all at Hawkstone Park this coming Sunday for the last round of the British Championship!

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