MX1 champion Conrad Mewse took his first overall win of the British championship season after inflicting defeat on five-times world champion Jeffrey Herlings at the sandy Blaxhall venue in Suffolk. But it was an event cut short after the first block of racing when three of the four on-site ambulances had to rush to hospital with two injured riders and a spectator thought to be having a heart attack. Without the required emergency cover, the event was abandoned so Mewse’s moto win meant he was the overall winner. And he moved to within three points of red plate holder Herlings in the championship.
For Mewse, he was in incredible form all day. He set the fastest time in qualifying then came from third place through to take the lead away from Herlings and he held it to the flag in a shortened race so an injured rider could be attended to. Mewse also used the power of the Crendon Tru7 Honda CRF450R to set the fastest time of the race.
The 25-year-old Mewse got a great start as the gate dopped for the opening moto, third behind Tristan Purdon and Herlings. By the end of the first lap, the Dutchman had taken the lead but Mewse was right on his tail and applying the pressure.
When Herlings made a slight mistake on lap four, Mewse pounced and got through into the lead. Herlings was right behind and the pair set an astonishing pace, pulling away from third by 45 seconds after eight laps. Confident Mewse had a one second lead over Herlings when the red flag came out, securing the win for the Honda man.
Mewse said: “It’s so special to get the win by coming from behind and overtaking Herlings. Right from the start of the day I felt really good, and I had some good lines. I followed him and he made a little mistake, so I capitalised on it. I knew I had the pace from the start and felt comfortable leading. He’s winning GPs so to be battling with him is great.
“I’m a bit disappointed I didn’t get to race with him again in the second moto, but the win is fantastic for me and the team.
“For the last four weeks I was away from home, riding and testing to get ready for this event which is on a track I love. It was where I won my first MX1 race last year and I like the conditions – sandy and rough. You need an incredibly good bike and my Crendon Tru7 Honda certainly is that – a credit to the whole team.”
In the MX2 class, once again Crendon Tru7 Honda rider Taylor Hammal provided the fireworks as he staged a stunning charge towards the front of the field only to be thwarted by cruel luck. But his team-mate Jake Nicholls benefitted from Hammal’s bad luck as he took a fine fourth place – his best result of the season.
The race was initially led by Elliott Banks-Browne who soon succumbed to pressure from Cas Valk and red plate holder Jack Chambers, followed by Joel Rizzi. Nicholls rounded the first lap in fourth place, one spot in front of Hammal in a show of strength for the Crendon Tru7 Honda machines. For the next six laps, the pair battled it out until Hammal got by then he rapidly deposed of Rizzi and caught up to third placed Banks-Browne.
The pair rode hard and when Hammal made a passing attempt, Banks-Browne parried back but lost the front end and crashed. Hammal hit his rival’s bike and also went down, remounting in distant eighth place which is where he finished. Local favourite Nicholls was right there to snatch fourth place, and crossed the line in the shadow of third place man Rizzi.
Hammal said: “Another day of frustration, I can’t seem to catch a break at the minute with any luck. With the only race today I managed to get a half decent start and then moved up to fourth, about to pass into third but he fell and I had nowhere to go, hitting his bike.
“I was so gutted as I was riding really well and Jack Chambers was just in front and I finally could’ve pushed for a top two.
“The results don’t seem to be matching the riding at the moment which is just really annoying. I know I can be top three but it’s just not working out. Everyone involved is working hard, so a podium result would be good to show.
“We had a friend pass away in the week so was really wanting that podium for him. I rode with his race number and had his old jersey on for the sighting lap.”
Team manager, triple world 500 champ Dave Thorpe said: “All three riders rode incredibly well today at the meeting which is always a great showcase for the sport. The track is brilliant and well prepared, and everyone did a fantastic job. So I really feel for everyone – the riders, fans and club – that something they have no control over meant the event had to be abandoned when three ambulances had to leave and they couldn’t get back from the hospital in time.”
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ACU British championship MX1 overall
1 Conrad Mewse Crendon Tru7 Honda 25
2Jeffrey Herlings 22
3 Tristan Purdon 20
4 Brad Todd 18
5 Martin Barr 16
6 Tom Grimshaw 15
7 Carlton Husband 14
8 Jason Meara 13
9 Dan Thornhill 12
10 Shaun Southgate 11
Championship positions after three rounds
1 Jeffrey Herlings 119
2 Conrad Mewse Crendon Tru7 Honda 116
3 Martin Barr 79
4 Brad Todd 78
5 Tristan Purdon 76
6 Jason Meara 73
7 Josh Gilbert 71
8 Sam Nunn 64
9 Dan Thornhill 50
10 Tom Grimshaw 45
29 Callum Green Crendon Tru7 Honda 3
MX2 overall
1 Cas Valk 25
2 Jack Chambers 22
3 Joel Rizzi 20
4 Jake Nicholls Crendon Tru7 Honda 18
5 Dylan Walsh 16
6 Tommy Searle 15
7 Todd Kellett 14
8 Taylor Hammal Crendon Tru7 Honda 13
9 Ollie Colmer 12
10 Alfie Jones 11
Championship positions after three rounds
1 Jack Chambers 114
2 Cas Valk 112
3 Joel Rizzi 98
4 Tommy Searle 88
5 Dylan Walsh 79
6 Taylor Hammal Crendon Tru7 Honda 70
7 Jake Nicholls Crendon Tru7 Honda 60
8 Ben Mustoe 53
9 Joe Brookes 48
10 Ollie Colmer 47