Charles Lefrancois and Fabien Izoird overturned a big points deficit to secure the coveted Pro Team Championship for Buildbase Honda in the 2018 Power Maxed Arenacross Tour at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
Heading into the seventh and final round of the series, the Frenchmen were 18 points behind in the team standings but emerged 14 points ahead after typically solid performances.
Although neither rider made the podium at the finale, Thomas did enough to end the championship in third with Fabien just four points behind in fourth.
“It has been a really good night for me in Wembley,” said Charles. “I’m very happy to have finished third in the championship at my first attempt. It’s a really good series.
“Tonight I won my first heat and my speed was really good and I would like to say a big thank you to the team for making this possible.”
Fiercely-competitive Fabien, the 2014 champion, was disappointed after failing to take a Main Event win this year.
“Tonight I could feel better but I am not so bad. In the Main Event I had a really good start and was second but I had a little contact with Dan Reardon and Thomas Ramette in the first corner and then didn’t jump the finish line but I passed up to fourth and stayed there the whole race.
“Of course, I would have liked to win at least one Main Event this year and I missed my goal. I think out of the seven rounds I finished six times in the top five so it was not a bad season and I hope to be back next year and win the title.”
Team owner Dave Thorpe was delighted to take the team title for the first time.
“It’s been another great night for the team,” said the three-time world 500cc motocross champion. “We did amazing in the heats and were always in there fighting but when we needed a really good start in the Main Event it didn’t quite happen and as we know this sport is all about the start.
“However, we overcame quite a big points deficit to win the Team championship which is amazing.
“The series has been fantastic. Honda, Buildbase and all of our partners have thoroughly enjoyed it – it’s been a great tour. Of course, I’d have loved to have won it individually but we were not quite there and had highs and lows as we knew we would.”
