Autosportfoto

Buildbase Honda ready to defend Arenacross UK title

As the off-season draws to a close, the Buildbase Honda squad is gearing up for the high-octane action of the 2014 Garmin Arenacross UK, which kicks off at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast tomorrow. The team will contest the seven-round series with a four-strong line-up including reigning British MX2 Champion Elliott Banks-Browne, former British MX1 Champion Brad Anderson, Italian Supercross star Angelo Pellegrini and Australian rider Luke Arbo.

Buildbase Honda won the inaugural Arenacross UK series in 2013 with Adam Chatfield - who was due to return with the team this season before a shoulder injury put him out of action - and hopes are high for another team victory in the Pro Class Championship this year. Banks-Browne will be making his first competitive outing for Buildbase Honda as he aims to produce a solid start to his MX1 career aboard the Honda CRF450R.

Double British MX1 Champion Anderson returns to Buildbase Honda for a second year and will be looking to continue the impressive form he showed at the end of last season. Anderson is a firm fan's favourite and will be battling for the win once the gate drops.

Pellegrini comes into the series with a wealth of experience, which includes two Italian Supercross titles and AMA main events. Making his debut in the UK is Australian Arbon, who has been brought in as a last-minute replacement for Chatfield and will ride the all-new CRF250F machine. The action starts on Friday night with the opening round and will continue on Saturday with the second round of the series.

Off track, Honda (UK) further strengthens its involvement in Arenacross by coming on board as a series partner. As part of this exciting partnership, the winner of the 2014 Arenacross Pro Class will be given a brand new Honda CR-V for a year*. Also, the live audience at each Arenacross event will also the chance to get on a Honda and win a CRF125F.

Dave Thorpe - team manager
I'm delighted to have four riders of such great calibre with the team. Arenacross is a major series and after winning it last year with Adam I want to retain the Pro title and I believe that we have a very strong chance. I'm disappointed to have lost Adam but feeling that we have two very strong teams.

Elliott Banks-Browne
I don't have tons of Arenacross experience but I know I can ride it well. I'm not coming there to finish second that's for sure. I've been working hard to get my skills up to scratch and be ready for Friday night.

Brad Anderson
I'm real excited about Arenacross. I've done a couple of indoor rounds before and won so I know I can win. I'm not the sort of person who thinks of himself as an Arenacross rider but I know that once the gate drops I'm a racer and I want to win. It will be a lot to do with getting the starts, trying to hold my lines and being as smooth as I can.

Angelo Pellegrini
I am looking forward to coming to the UK and racing the best riders around. I am feeling in good form and confident that I can do well.