By Carly Rathmell
June 1 2004

It was a mixed weekend for the Husky Sport squad over in Ireland on Sunday (30th May). Current British Champion Christian Iddon managed to gain podium positions in three of the four races, but only managed to secure one win in the first 650 Class.

Two third places in the fierce 450 championship saw Christian having to work hard, but he was entertaining the spectators in the process as he slid the back end into every corner. An extremely impressive riding style wowed the huge Irish crowd and gave them a taste to what Supermoto is all about.

It was KTM’s Matt Winstanley that won both the 450 races, with team-mate Ady Smith second in the first race and Honda’s Leighton Haigh who was runner up in the second leg.

The Open races were far more intense, and youngsters Iddon and Winstanley were locked in a tight battle throughout the race. Swapping position on every lap it was a nail-biting mission as to who would take the win as they crossed the line. Iddon managed to get the upper hand on the last lap and managed to fend off the fighting Lancastrian to the chequered flag. Only 0.2 separated the two as the flag came down.

The second Open race was full of drama when Husky Sport rider Jay Smith was hit from behind on the grid, causing the race to be red flagged. Unfortunately, the Londoner suffered with a broken wrist which will put him out of action for a while. During the re-start it was a confident looking Iddon that began to get away from the hounding pack. With four laps to go and Iddon looking strong out in front, as he landed from the table top his back wheel disintegrated leaving him with no option but to retire from the race.

Commenting, Iddon said, “I’m so gutted not to have done the double today. It was a year yesterday that David Jefferies got killed at the TT and I wanted to do it for him. I’m going to have to work hard at the next races and claw back some vital championship points.”

450 Race One
1 Winstanley, KTM
2 A Smith, KTM
3 Iddon, Husqvarna
4 Haigh, Honda
5 White, Honda

450 Race Two
1 Winstanley, KTM
2 Haigh, Honda
3 Iddon, Husqvarna
4 A Smith, KTM
5 Kinsella, VOR

Open Race One
1 Iddon, Husqvarna
2 Winstanley, KTM
3 Tougher, TM
4 Mitchell, Husaberg
5 Kinsella, VOR

Open Race Two
1 Winstanley, KTM
2 Tougher, TM
3 Mitchell, Husaberg
4 A Smith, KTM
5 Kinsella, VOR

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