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British Championship

Chatter Box: Josh Gilbert

A breakthrough star speaks out.

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Josh Gilbert has gone from strength to strength since the beginning of the year and that moto win at Duns, round five of the Maxxis British Championship, serves as proof of that. The incredible amount of progression has not gone unnoticed, so it is hardly surprising that questions are now beginning to be asked about his future. That is also discussed in this exclusive interview from a very wet Scottish event.

MX Vice: It has obviously been a hectic day. So much has happened! You won your first moto and then had an eventful time in the second race, so missed the overall podium. I guess you are still stoked about the first moto win, obviously, but missing the podium is a bit of a sore way to end it all.

Josh Gilbert: Yeah. Highs and lows of motocross, I think! The first race could not have gone any better. I took the holeshot, led every lap and had a comfortable gap. I think for most of the race I had about a fourteen or fifteen-second lead, then the last couple laps I just made it to the end. The longest couple of laps I have ever had, I think, then in the second one the rain was really bad. It came in quite foggy and, personally, I do not think they should have run, but obviously they went ahead with it so we had to kind of get on with it.

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Josh Gilbert did not make a single mistake in the first MX2 race at Duns.

MPS Images

Within the first couple corners I got filled in. I went to take my goggles off and as I took them off, I slipped the clutch and ended up looping out. I was buried straight away. I made it quite hard for myself. Then of course I had no goggles on, so coming back through the field… It was a bit hard work with the dirt flicking up and everything. I think I actually got back to about eighth and then I ended up slipping off and getting trapped under the bike. I dropped back to tenth and that is where I ended up finishing. It is a bit frustrating.

I cannot really see at the minute with dirt in my eyes. It is what it is. After having a tenth, I still have not lost hardly anything in the championship. I have caught a little bit up on Conrad [Mewse], but Mel [Pocock] has obviously only closed me in by two points. Overall, it has been a good day.

Were you surprised how easy the first moto win came to you? Winning your first moto ever is always going to be hard, but if there was a dominant way to do it then that was it. It did not really look like you had many troubles.

Yeah. I got close to it at Blaxhall and that was a bit frustrating. I knew it was so close, but I ended up not having it. I nearly matched Conrad in qualifying and then I knew that if I got out of the gate and put some hard couple of laps in at the start I would maybe break away and be able to then control it. That is what I ended up managing to do. I controlled it and the race came quite easy, really.

Obviously, this has been an insane year for you. You came out and shocked everyone, but have now gone even further than that. I guess now is the sort of time you need to look at your future and decide whether you want to go all-in on this, chase MXGP and try to make a career out of it or stick to Britain? Have you kind of put thought into that? If there is a time to go to MXGP, it is now.

Yeah, definitely. We have thought about it. I would have two years in GPs if I was to try that next year. I could have a learning year next year, then try and maybe… I know I would learn the tracks and learn how it all works. The two GPs that I have done, I learned loads. The way that they pass, the intensity and everything really. I would like to do them, but I have kind of also got to think about deal-wise and what works best for us. At the end of the day, I cannot afford to go and pay for every round of the GPs.

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Josh Gilbert trails Conrad Mewse by twenty-four points in the MX2 class.

MPS Images

Has there been any interest from that point of view? I am sure this team would love to have you back, but has anyone kind of knocked on your door or at least said to you that you are riding well?

Yeah, people have told me I am riding well. I think that I could go into GPs, but not a lot has come about it as of yet. We are still kind of waiting to see what happens. Hopefully it all works out for the good.

Are you doing any more MX2 or EMX250 rounds this year to kind of prove yourself or is that not really in the plans?

No, not really. Kind of because of the budget on the bike and stuff like that. No, we are just going to stick to Britain and hopefully get as good results as possible in this country.

Today was obviously another step forward in your career and another achievement that you have made it to. What is next for you? I guess overall win is what you want next, but is there something else that you have got your eye on?

I did not actually know at the time, but I was in eighth in the race in that last one. I think if I had got one more position I would have had the overall. I went down though and got trapped under the bike and I did not realise that. I was close, but not close enough. Just got to go to the next round and hopefully get two good results and maybe be on the top step of the podium.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: MPS Images

British Championship

Bickers to supply UK market with Alpinestars

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This is great news for UK motocross dealers, who can now order Alpinestars Boots and Protection for the motocross and enduro community.

Full PR:
Bickers are pleased to announce a new partnership with Alpinestars, from 2024 Bickers will be a
newly appointed distributor of Alpinestars Off-Road range of MX, Enduro and Trials footwear and
protections.

Alpinestars has been redefining protection for motorcyclists ever since the company was established
in 1963. Commitment to innovation has led Alpinestars to become the world-leading manufacturer
of professional motorsport racing products, motorcycling airbag protection, high-performance
apparel, technical footwear, and helmets. Alpinestars understands that the best design and research
is achieved under extreme conditions. Their involvement in Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, World
SBK, AMA Supercross and Motocross, MXGP, Dakar and more has led to the creation of the most
advanced technical equipment for the racing world’s top athletes.

Bickers and Alpinestars will be working together in the UK and Ireland (via Bickers Dornan) to create
an industry leading integrated sales program, reaching the Bickers dealer network; carrying stock in
2 strategic locations in the UK and Ireland to ensure next day delivery on all items.
Stock is in the UK and available now, to see the range visit alpinestars.com or bickers-online.co.uk.

Chris Hillard (Alpinestars Communications Manager)

Alpinestars are pleased to welcome Bickers as a distributor of our MX/Off-Road range in the UK and
Ireland. With their proven record in offering next day service to dealers; we see Bickers as a logical
partner to add to our already strong network of Dealers and Distributors in the region. With focus on
offering keystone hard goods from our range; namely Footwear and Protection. Central to our plan,
inside July/August 2024 Bickers will also become an Official Alpinestars repair and service center for
MX Goods, with the aim of increasing efficiency for our UK/Ireland based racers and customers
moving ahead, and we look forward to developing this partnership.

Derek McMartin (Bickers)
“Bickers are extremely excited to be able to service and sell Alpinestars Range of Off-Road Footwear
and Protection and cannot wait to start offering these great products to our dealers”
To see what Bickers offer, please go to bickers-online.co.uk
You can visit the Full Range at Alpinestars direct alpinestars.com.

Picture – KTM Group

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Breaking News

NPC 2024 IS ON! All eyes are on Oakhanger.

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Oakhanger will host the first round of the NPC series this weekend. Gulf Racing Fuels, which will support the series for the next three years, will be in attendance. The line looks impressive, while entry lists are still being worked on. Starting a series from scratch is always hard, but trying to do that in a recession and with industry budgets at an all-time low is even more challenging. The guys behind the NPC have been working around the clock to make this happen.

MX1 and MX2 classes will provide some exciting racing with this at the weekend. MX1 will see Tristan Purdon, Brad Todd, Jamie Carpenter, Carlton Husband, Tom Grimshaw, John Adamson, Dan Thornhill, Chalie Putnam, and Aaron Patstone lining up. MX2 will offer some great racing with Charlie Cole, Charlie Heyman, Ollie Colmer, Ben Mustoe, Glen McCormick, Callum Mitchell, Syd Putnam, Ben Franklin, Harvey Cashmore and Liam Bennet all looking to get some hours in the bank racing.

Justin Barclay and Alfie Smith have produced a stunning track for riders to compete on. As I’m typing this update, more British riders are signing up, and they will be confirmed every day leading up to what will be a historical event. I say historical because I believe this series will go from strength to strength and offer one of the best championships in the UK and, hopefully, Europe.

The Acerbis is cancelled this weekend, so places at the NPC are filling up fast. There are four groups, and wildcards are still available in each group.

Entries for the event can be accessed here: https://nora92.com/event/nora-pro-championship-round-1/#tribe-tickets

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British Championship

Andrew Short confirmed for the 2024 VMXdN at Foxhill

No Short measures for Team USA

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The promoters for the annual VMXdN Foxhill have announced that former factory HRC, KTM Factory Racing and Monster Energy Yamaha rider Andrew Short will be racing at the legendary Wiltshire Grand Prix circuit over August bank holiday weekend (August 22nd-26th) as part of the American squad.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Supplied


Short has had a stellar sixteen-year pro career, during that time, he earned over 50 podium finishes and nine wins, he is also one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet. One of his personal highlights was being part of the American Team that won the 2010 Motocross of Nations held in his home state of Colorado. 

After he retired from professional motocross at the end of 2016, Short then worked as a team advisor and brand ambassador for Factory Honda HRC before making a big transition to compete in rally racing and take on the ultimate rally race – the Dakar.

After a steep learning curve, he was able to become competitive in rally and even took his first win at the 2019 Rallye du Maroc, a leadup to the 2020 Dakar. He raced for the Rockstar Husqvarna team as well as the Monster Energy Factory Yamaha rally teams.

After a nasty injury while riding at home, he is now back to full fitness and bang up for the challenge that is Foxhill, the greatest 2-stroke event in the world. Short will race a 2002 YZ 250 built and maintained by the crew at DocWob. Team USA won the inaugural event in 2022 and finished 3rd behind Team GB and Team Northern Ireland in 2023. 

The race is already creating a huge buzz with new and returning legends being announced weekly, it really is a whos’ who of the sport through the golden heydays of the 90’s and 00’s era.

Labelled by RacerX magazine as “the Woodstock of two strokes” the event simply goes from strength to strength.

With ticket sales up year on year, the promoters have been blown away at the response to the event and are urging spectators to purchase tickets asap. Could this be the first outdoor motocross event in the UK to be ticket only? Camping passes will be capped at last year’s numbers as simply putting it – it was full!

Ensure your place at the most anticipated event on the British MX calendar by booking early.

Saturday, Sunday, Weekend and Camping passes are available at https://vmxdnfoxhill2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the VMXdN Foxhill news

www.vmxdnfoxhill.com 

www.facebook.com/vmxdnfoxhills 

https://www.instagram.com/vmxdnfoxhill/

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