Factory KTM rider Carl Nunn extended his lead in the MX2 Maxxis British Motocross Championship this afternoon by earning his first double moto triumph of the season at Cadders Hill, Lyng for the third round of eight in the 2005 series. Paul Cooper and James Noble ran out MX1 victors.

Nunn clinched both 30 minute and 2 lap races from Dutchman Erik Eggens. The events were closely-fought affairs under blue skies and sunny conditions. The time difference at the flag in a scintillating second sprint was eight thousandths of a second between the pair as Eggens attempted a brave overtaking move going through the final chicane.

The premier national off-road motorcycle racing series in Europe drew a generous crowd to the Norfolk setting. The track was fast and the soft, sandy soil became extremely rough by the end of the afternoon’s racing.

The action of the MX2 motos snared the crowd’s attention. Nunn, at his local round, was among the leaders from the start of both races and held off the attention of Honda rider Eggens as well as Kawasaki’s Tom Church and Yamaha’s Billy Mackenzie. Backmarkers proved to be a problem as the front-runners set a pace that quickly had them lapping the slower participants. Mackenzie in particular was baulked in both motos and almost lost his second race podium after being felled courtesy of a run-in with a ‘lapper’. Honda’s Wayne Smith had rounded out the top three in the opening event.

American Mike Brown had taken the holeshot in Moto1 but swiftly retired without mechanical trouble. He then mysteriously did not appear for the next moto amid speculation he was feeling unwell. The former AMA Champion had already left the circuit.

Nunn now leads the MX2 pack by twenty-five points from Tom Church who was fifth and fourth today riding with a sprained wrist.

The MX1 contest was less pulsating although nevertheless notable after James Noble was able to secure his second career British Championship success. Pole position holder Paul Cooper passed reigning number one Josh Coppins early in the first race to glide towards his third moto win of the season but then struggled later in the afternoon on the significantly bumpier track while Noble was able to excel. Coppins collected two second positions despite being low on fitness due to an Iron deficiency. The CAS Honda man was not able to dominate the field as he had at Polesworth for round two but showed considerable resolve by fending off Noble efforts in Moto1 and then chasing his Honda compatriot to the chequered flag in race two. After nearly crashing in the opening stages of the final moto Cooper was eventually twenty eight seconds adrift of the duo squabbling for the lead but his fifth podium from six means that he still heads the Championship standings by ten points from Noble.

Once again the Maxxis British Championship offered some fantastic entertainment and delectable racing, and after three rounds supported by healthy attendances the competition is moving from strength to strength.

The next meeting takes place in three weeks times at Culham (Oxford) as the series reaches the halfway point. Round four will occur on May 1st over the bank holiday weekend.

Carl Nunn (MX2 winner): “I felt really good out there today. I didn’t have any arm-pump and was able to ride smoothly. I was surprised when they held the ‘2 lap’ board out because it felt like the first race had gone so quickly. I made my way to the front and could ride my own race. The British series is so competitive but I felt like I still had more to give. In the second moto I thought I had lost at the end when Erik came through by the line. He had tried that move the lap before so I was wise to it for the last time. It was still a surprise though. I actually thought I had dropped him on the final lap because I could not hear him behind me, Erik hardly revs the bike. To be honest today was 50% racing and 50% avoiding the backmarkers; the pace throughout the field at the moment is way too different. At the moment we are doing a good job. KTM have given me a fantastic bike and I just have to keep it up there until the end of the year.”

Paul Cooper (MX1 Moto1 winner): “I had a really good ride in the first moto and the bike was working very well. I was riding smooth and I love this track; which always helps. I am very motivated after missing so much racing last year but I still feel like I am on a learning curve to get back up there with the fast guys. The second moto was difficult because I made some mistakes on the first few laps and nearly crashed, so I used up a lot of my energy sorting myself out. The guys had pulled away in front so I just bought the bike home.”

James Noble (MX1 Moto2 winner): “It has been too long to celebrate another win! I made a few mistakes early on and I thought the race was lost because I was then having trouble with backmarkers but I kept pushing and wouldn’t let Josh get away. I like this sort of terrain, it is like a practice track I have at home. I want to say thanks to the team for all their support in the last few years. My confidence is coming back and I hope the results can get better.”