Misfortun for Swanepoel in Desert Martin -ozzy go- swanie.co.za

Molson Kawasaki’s Gareth Swanepoel has lost valuable points
in the Maxxis British championship at round 5 in Desert Martin,
Northern Ireland. Both Swanepoel’s races were marred by
crashes while challenging for the lead on the former GP circuit
close to Belfast.

Swanepoel’s first knock came in the opening moto after he had
passed Tommy Searle on the third lap. Swanepoel was carrying
great speed and was just about to set up Martin Barr to take
over the lead when he lost his front end and landed on his head.
Swanepoel remounted a bit groggy and salvaged 3 championship
points with a swollen eye.

‘Swanie’ was back in the ring for round two as he and Tommy
Searle both left the rest of the MX2 pack standing as they opened
up more than 20 seconds with the Molson Kawasaki leading.
Searle snuck past on lap 5 with Swanepoel hot on his heels.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Swanepoel went for the pass
in a turn but Searle unintentionally squared off and connected
the South African sending him over the berm. Swanepoel once
again remounted, this time with bruised ribs and shoulder and
finished 8th.

“What a tough day,” lamented Swanepoel. “I ran the fastest lap
time in moto 2 and was riding well considering that the first moto
crash dazed me. It was just unfortunate that I clipped Tommy
and went down hard again. There are still 3 rounds to go and
I’m not going to give up hope just yet. Anything is still possible.”