Sword wins 125 title on a tie-break.

Albion KTM UK's Stephen Sword clinched the British 125ccc Motocross Title on Sunday by taking the overall win at the eighth and final round of the Maxxis British Championship staged at Polesworth near Tamworth in the Midlands.

Sword, who won his opening moto, took 2nd and 4th in his next two races to tie on points with Bill Mackenzie, 541 a piece. The young Scot now based near Bath had more race wins than Mackenzie and won the title, his first National title after finishing as runner up in 2001.

The 125cc title hunt could not have been more exciting as the race went down to the very last corner of the last lap. Sword put in one of his best ever race performances, he romped to an easy victory in his first outing around the loose and stoney hillside circuit. He went onto recover from a first turn crash in race two racing from virtually last position to finish second and then he did battle with the mighty four stroke riders in the Maxxis Cup to finish 4th.

Sword said "I was very nervous before the first race, but after I took the win I though to myself yes you can do this, it went wrong in race two, I was knocked off at the first turn, I got back into the race, got my head down and rode as hard as I could, I couldn't have done anymore than I did, I almost caught him but was forced to settle for 2nd place at the flag. "

With it all to do in the final race of the season Sword added, "Mackenzie still had 8 points on me before the Maxxis Cup, I thought that if I could only ride like the first two races I could win the title but I knew I had to keep him behind me."

Sword was in second place behind leader Josh Coppins from New Zealand, " I was ahead of Crockard and Nunn, I didn't know what to expect, Crockard's on a KTM too, I though he might stay behind and protect me but then he came by and I knew it was all down to me. I knew I had ride my own race and that way whatever happened behind was out of my control, at the last corner I thought it was all over as I crossed the line, I was already thinking about next season and what I would have to do to win. I couldn't believe it when the team gave me the signal that I was the champion, they had been watching the battle with Atsuta and Mackenzie - the title was mine on a points tie, I felt great."

Sword joined the Albion KTM UK squad after the start of the domestic and international season, he set himself a goal and today he achieved it. " I said when I joined the Albion line up in April that I would like to finish top ten and I honestly felt that I could win the British Championship - I have achieved both of them, it's been a great season but one which I know I can still improve on next year." said Stephen.

The flying Finn Antti Kallonen made his last appearance for the Albion squad, he had suffered a day of mixed fortunes coming through from 8th to finish 6th in race one but then crashing heavily at the start of race two. "The track was very slippery but I came through to 11th, there was only one grippy line so it was hard to come though but I ended the season in 6th position. Wayne Smith has rode very strong in the final few races, I feel sure that I could have been top five if I hadn't missed that start of the season with my back injury." said Antti. The Finn crashed with Tallon Vohland in the Maxxis Cup, he remounted without loosing any places to finish 14th.

Matt Winstanley had a disappointing day having been suffering with a stomach bug throughout the previous week, he come to the final round feeling drained of energy, " After four or five laps into each race my arms and legs started to feel very tired, I had no strength left and could just barely hold on to cross the finish line." said Matt who tried to save energy for the final Maxxis Cup. " I knew it would be a very hard race, the track was so rough by then, after a lap or two my nose was blocked and I couldn't breath, with no condition I couldn't hold on and thought it best to retire rather than make a mistake and end the season injured. I have not had the best of years so I have to be happy with 7th, I've been sick a few times and struggled with in juries not only in the British but also the World Championship, I am looking forward to a new season and a new set of goals." added Matt.

Team manager Sean Osmond was delighted that Stephen Sword won the British Title and gave KTM UK some silverware for their trophy cabinet. "Stephen rode exceptional today, Mackenzie rode very well too but I am pleased that Stephen did enough to take the number one plate for KTM. He did what we expected of him in his first outing winning in a great fashion but made very hard work for himself in race two after a collision at the first turn." said Sean, adding " I think I am correct in saying that no one has ever seen such and exciting race for many a year. With Stephen taking second it meant it all depended on the final Maxxis Cup race. Both Mackenzie and Stephen have rode well throughout the year, they tied on points and fortunately it went our way, Stephen has done a lot of work with the team and this has shown with his race wins throughout the season, this has now proved to be a contributing factor in him winning his first British Title."