Conrad Mewse maintained his remarkable 100% run of podium finishes with two second places at the penultimate ACU British motocross championship, both times behind five-times world champion Jeffrey Herlings.
That result gave the 25-year-old Crendon Tru7 Honda racer second overall on the day at the Schoolhouse track in Northumberland, and means he is 15 points behind the Dutchman with 50 still up for grabs in the final round in three weeks.
And it was also a great result for his team-mate Taylor Hammal, who made his MX1 British championship debut in stunning style by leading the first moto, then taking third and fourth place finishes. That gave him fourth overall, on the same points as third placed Josh Gilbert.
The opening MX1 moto saw Hammal, who had been fourth in qualifying, make a stunning start and take the lead on the opening lap after passing leader Gilbert and Ben Edwards. After a fifth place start, Mewse was quickly through into second place and the Crendon Tru7 Honda duo led the way around the rough, hillside circuit.
Mewse took the lead on the third lap, with Hammal right behind for six spectacular laps. But Herlings was on the charge after gating tenth and on lap seven, managed to demote Hammal to third which is where the 24-year-old would finish after fending off a challenge from Gilbert.
Herlings reeled in Mewse and the pair staged a terrific scrap for the lead, but the red plate holder Herlings managed to get by with three laps to go. Mewse gave it his all but couldn’t retaliate and brought his CRF450R home in runner-up spot.
Race two saw the Honda duo battle hard once again for the podium places. Herlings managed to take the holeshot with Mewse in third while Hammal spent the first lap fighting through from fifth. By the end of the second lap, Mewse was in second and trying all he could to catch the red plate holder, while Hammal again fought through to third place.
Mewse tried to stay with Herlings but the Dutchman held the upper hand to take the win, as the leading duo gapped the field convincingly.
Hammal once again ended up in a scrap with Gilbert as the pair went head-to-head over third place, which also would mean the final place on the podium. This time the more experienced MX1 rider Gilbert got the upper hand, with Hammal bringing his Crendon Tru7 Honda home fourth. That meant the pair were level on points but Gilbert’s better final race score meant he got the nod for the podium.
Mewse said: “It was a day of seconds really – second in qualifying, second in both motos and second overall. In the first one I came close to the win, led it to three laps to go and Herlings got me. I managed to stay close behind him but he is so fast.
“In the second I got the hammer down from lap one but struggled to stay with him. It was tough. I really had to think about how to get close to the fastest man on the planet which is a first for me. But it’s been good as it has taken me onto a whole new level. I feel like I’m better in myself this year. I’m 15 points behind going into the last round but anything can happen.
“And fair play to my team-mate Taylor, for an awesome debut on the 450 in the British championship. An awesome day for him and the team.”
Hammal said: “I have to be happy with the result but it’s disappointing just missing the podium in my first British championship on the 450.
“I’ve been struggling with starts all year but in that first moto got a good start and quickly made a pass for the lead. I felt the best I felt all race in the first few laps and I actually pulled a small gap.
“But then Conrad passed me and I managed to hang on and stay close for a few laps as he’s a world class rider with great lines. But I looked back and saw Herlings and other riders catching, I actually tightened up a little bit and then was fighting with arm pump for the rest of the race. But third was a great result and I’m happy.
“In the second one I had a decent start but I couldn’t catch Herlings and Conrad. I had a good battle with Gilbert and he managed to pass me but happy with my results on the day. I still need to set the bike up a bit better as I’ve not had that much time on it.”
The day also marked the return of Callum Green to MX1 racing, just three months after a spill saw him fracture his hip, pelvis and elbow. He was due to make his comeback two weeks ago but fell and had minor concussion.
With not much time on the bike he managed to finish both motos, with 21st in the opening race then 20th in race two to take a championship point for 22nd overall.
Green said: “It was nice to race again but not so nice to get arm pump and to be off the pace of where I can be. But I enjoyed it, and the track was a lot better this year. I’ve only really had two days on the bike but the hip and arm felt good so just need to have more time riding and get going again.”
In the MX2 class, Jake Nicholls had a solid day against very tough competition, taking a commendable eighth overall on a track he’d never been to before. Nicholls, who came out of retirement for 2024 to contest just the British MX2 championship, had to get used to the circuit and the drizzly conditions but fought hard.
In the opener he was tenth on the first lap but made good progress as he picked off riders in front. He lost a place when red plate holder Cas Valk managed to get by on his way to fourth, but the Honda CRF250R rider took a commendable eighth spot at the flag.
Second time out he didn’t make the greatest of starts and rounded the first lap in 13th spot. But he used his years of experience to dig deep and make solid passes as he pulled through to ninth spot, giving him eighth overall. And he also moved up to sixth in the series.
Nicholls said: “I’d never even been to this track so it’s always difficult – especially when I don’t ride as much as the others. But I enjoyed the track and had some good racing which is what it’s all about for me.”
Team principal Dave Thorpe said: “A good day for the team. Jake rode really well in MX2. It’s not easy riding against people who race every week. He just turned up, rode really well and that’s impressive.
“For our MX1 boys, it’s tough to ride against one of the best riders in the world at the top of his game. Conrad did really well riding against him. And for Taylor, you couldn’t ask for any more – what a great performance. And now Callum is back, it’s great to have the whole team racing again.”