The British GP - Looking back

The best of Lorretta Lynns youth style compeition combined with the best of World Championship motocross and everything else in between provided an exhilarating and classic four days of motocross that had never been seen before.

Perfection

Youthstream and Steve Dixon combined their passion and vision for motocross and at the first attempt it came off perfectly. Of course the beautiful weather helped, but with top level 65, 85 and 125 two stroke racing it was like going back to your youth as well as reliving the days of 125 GP racing.  You just can't beat the sound of a two stroke, combined with kids giving their all spurred on by nothing but passion and a will win, the heart of motocross was never more evident.

The young kids are so fast and so impressive and it gives the teams and the fans a glimpse into the future. Brian Hsu and Jorge Prada are already factory riders on 80s. Overall winner Pootjes was super impressive and surely will be into a factory team before long. In just a couple of years Holland could be a regular podium threat in the Motocross of Nations! As will Germany, a team potentially of Roczen, Nagl and the young kid Hsu could something special for German motocross.

A Happy Pootjes celebrates his 85cc Euro Championship

Brit Conrad Mewse was a revelation

Then we come to GB, Conrad Mewse beat all the aformentioned names and won the final moto going away. He may have won the first moto too,but a puncture while leading meant he had to settle for third on the podium. The we had James Dunn in splendid form in the 125 getting a win against the wqually impressive Tim Gasjer. Roger Magee, the team manager for James, was also quick to point out that James isn't just talented but he is also a nice kid and good to work with. With kids like Ben Watson also coming through the ranks it is an exciting time for British motocross, never mind the talent coming through in Europe.

Perhaps we are getting too far presuming success for GB in the future pro ranks as well as trying to predict the futre GP stars- but isn't that what this is all about? The teams are watching just like the fans are to spot the next big thing. They don't want to miss out, and the fans don't want to miss out on saying 'I was there when (insert name) was running at the front in 85 racing at the British GP, and now look at him."

That is what events like this are for, it is a peak into the future as well as the ability to enjoy the present stars of GP racing.

Tommy Searle is what every GB rider aspires to be, his performance was sensational, and it was the perfect inspiration for every rider there wants to eventually become. Winning your home race under that pressure against a rider of the quality of seventeen year old motocross sensation Jeffrey Herlings, was just magnificent.

The battle between Herlings and Searle was superb

It might have been Searle's  best performance of his life, it will certainly be his most memorable so far. Pointing to the crowd while leading on the first lap on race two summed up the atmosphere and Searle's adrenalin was pumping. ' I was feeling it', admitted Searle on twitter after seeing the picture, and that is what motocross is all about.  The coming together of the crowd willing the home rider on, and the home rider pointing at the crown to say ' this is awesome, thank you for you support, just watch me win this.'

Pointing to the fans on the first lap!

That one moment described the uniqueness and brilliance of motocross, the closeness and interaction of the fans and riders is something special and the British GP brings out the best in both.

Searle prepares for battle

But back to Searle, his riding was incredible. When Herlings passed Searle, the Brit was not shutting off for anyone, he was going to win that race no matter what! It was the British Bulldog spirit that fans could relate to and that Searle demonstrated that made him such a superstar that weekend. It was the same thing he did back in 2006 when he was just 16 and he re-passed Seb Pourcel on the alst lap to get his first ever podium. He has something that we tend to lack in the UK. The winner's mentality.

Searle just cannot be mentally beaten.No matter how much Roczen and Herlings beat him last year he came into the next round thinking he could win.After crashing while chasing Herlings in the Satirday qualifier and finishing sixth, Tommy confidently stated he was ready to win both motos, and that is exactly what he did. It was a champion's performance and provided the fan's with the ' I was there.' moment and sport generates once in a while.

Searle won another gold for GB in the Olympic year, and Matterly Basin was the Olympic stadium that provided the ultimate setting for such a memorable moment.

Tommy Searle we salute you!