The 2016 Monster Energy Arenacross series roared into life at the weekend, as fans filled the Manchester Arena to watch pro motocross riders from the UK and around the world go bar-to-bar for championship glory, with six pro races on the bill as well as head-to-head shootouts, youth and junior races, and explosive freestyle shows.

But it was Suzuki’s French rider Thomas Ramette who stole the show, taking the win in the main event onboard his SR75-Molson Racing Suzuki RM-Z450, as he looks to defend his title after winning the series in 2015.

Ramette, running the red number-one plate as reigning champion, qualified quickest and took the win in his opening heat race. He was on the podium again after finishing third in his second heat, and also added two additional championship points to his tally after finishing third in the head-to-head shootout.

In the 14-lap main event the Frenchman grabbed the holeshot and was never headed, taking the win as he aims for back-to-back championship wins with the SR75-Molson Racing Suzuki team.

Thomas Ramette, “It was a great show in Manchester, and to start the new season out front is how we finished the 2015 series, and is a great boost for the team. I rode a tight race and was quite relaxed in the final. I got held up by a back-marker in the final laps and this slowed me down, allowing the other riders to bunch up so I just had to fight harder to get away again. I think this victory is even more special because of the quality of the other riders.”

The next two rounds of the series take place in Glasgow on 9/10 January at the SSE Hydro Arena.