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British Championship

Michelin MX Nationals Round 2 – Monster Mountain: Rider Debriefs

Words from the stars of Monster Mountain

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After the first ever weekend of racing at the new and epic Monster Mountain venue, here’s what the key teams and players had to say about the event and their weekends.

All Images: Brett Smith Photography

Crendon Fastrack Honda

The incredible 100% podium record for both Crendon Fastrack Honda riders Josh Gilbert and Conrad Mewse continued at the second round of the MX Nationals at the brand-new Monster Mountain circuit in South Wales.

The pair have been together on the podium at every single national-level championship round this season. And on Sunday, both riders tied on points with a win and a second place each. Mewse won the first race while Gilbert clinched the decisive second moto, so the Cornishman took the overall victory. It meant Gilbert moved into second place in the six-round series and Mewse extended his championship lead.

Josh Gilbert said: “What a great day and on a track that ended up so gnarly. There were big holes on the jump take-offs, so you had to be so precise and careful. The layout is huge – like an AMA National track. And the team did a good job of looking after it over the weekend.

“In the first race I struggled with the feel of the bike and wasn’t too comfortable, so I didn’t push too hard. We made some bike changes, and I came out swinging in the second race as I just felt more comfortable. It was as simple as that, I could pick my lines and edged away at the front then maintained a nice gap there.

“The bike was just perfect so I must give a big thanks to my mechanic and the team for doing such a great job again. Winning is a big team effort and I’d really like to thank everyone involved.”

Conrad Mewse said: “Another solid day and I leave with the red plate and have extended my lead. And that first race was just awesome for me. They’d put down water in the first corner, so I was a bit hesitant there. I went round there in fourth or fifth place but made sure I didn’t follow anyone, so I could carry my corner speed through the next section of track – the rollers. And by the third turn I was in the lead. It was total intensity on the first lap to get a gap then I settled in and rode my own race. I was riding with a great rhythm and didn’t feel like I was pushing too hard. The second race I didn’t get a great start which really made a big difference. I was buried in traffic in the first few laps and had to come through from a long way back. But I got my head down and came through to second place.  I hold the red plate in both the MX Nationals and Revo Championships, so everything is going well.”

Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha

Harri Kullas:

“Solid weekend with 3-3 results for 3rd overall. I did enjoy the very tough, tricky and technical conditions during the races. Obviously, the dirt is not my favourite, but I tried to do my best and I enjoyed riding still. Had 2 holeshots and riding was good, just tiny bit short for better results. Second race was running whole race in second place until the last lap couple lapped riders fell in front of me and I dropped to 3rd. Trying to have easy week and next weekend is off, so a bit of resting time and then we go again.”

Jamie Carpenter:

“6th overall today at the MX Nationals UK at Monster Mountain. One of the gnarliest track conditions I have ever raced.  I am happy to leave with two consistent races and in one piece. I feel like I have more potential and still need to make improvements with myself and the bike. We’ll do our best to make that happen and onto the next one.”

Sam Nunn:

“Tough day at Monster Mountain. Didn’t really get on with the track and a technical issue with the bike in race one made it a hard day. Couple weeks break, then we go again at Hawkstone for the Revo British Championship. Thanks to the whole team for all their help”

ASA United GASGAS

Return of the Italian Stallion – Ivo Monticelli remounts his GASGAS MC450f for the 2nd Round of the MX Nationals atop Monster Mountain, going 4-4 for 4th Overall.

Catch more from Ivo on the upcoming MX Vice Great British Motocross Podcast next week!

John Adamson: (Thanks to John for talking directly to MX Vice)

“Was a bit of a disastrous weekend for me. Everything feels good at the moment but it was just one of those weekends. A few mistakes on my part ruined the day.”

“Monster Mountain is a great venue and a great addition to the British MX scene, a spectacular venue. Great to have GP standard tracks in the UK and you can see how much work has gone into the place. Hats off to the track builders and everyone involved.”

Chambers Racing

The track had been in the making since early 2022 up in the hills of Wales. Everyone was eager to see how good the circuit was and it did not disappoint. Despite constant wind and heavy dust the lads all enjoyed the track.
Qualifying took place of the Fastest 40 first, the combined race see the MX2 and MX1 lads out together, Tom & Dan in the MX1 put in solid qualifying with P10 & P11. Whilst Glenn in the MX2 put in a stellar qualifying with P3 & Ben P12.
On to the first Fastest 40 moto, Tom got the jump coming round the first corner in the top 5 with Dan mid-pack. With Glenn a little further down the field but amongst the top 250 riders. Unfortunately, Ben had a first-turn crash but got himself back and pushed on. Some great racing action for the spectators who attended. Tom finished P5, Dan P8, Glenn with an outstanding P2, His best race of the year so far and got back to Ben P9.
Fastest 40 Race 2 was the last moto of the day and onto the rough, dusty track. With good starts from all 4 of the lads, they got set into the 25 +2 lap moto.
Tom was having a good battle for 5th the whole race before crossing the line in P6. Dan had a great ride, His still working through the hand injury but it is slowly getting better and it’s showing in his results. Finishing Moto 2 P11.
Ben had a much better start than Moto 1 which see him also having some great & intense battles on track, Ending up P9 at the flag. Glenn had a stormer of a race within the top 3 of the MX2, He just needed another P2 to claim the overall. However, finished the race P3. Despite this Glenn’s riding was outstanding and the results were well deserved.
Overall Results
Pro MX1
Tom – 5th & 6th =5th
Dan – 8th & 11th = 8th
Pro MX2
Glenn – 2nd & 3rd = 3rd
Ben – 9th & 9th = 9th

Tom Grimshaw:

5th overall at RD2 of the @mxnationalsuk. Some techy track that was thanks to all the people in my corner, next up is Germany MXGP.

Dan Thornhill:

8th Overall today at @mxnationalsuk. More progress in the first moto and a steady second outing to bring it home with a bike issue eventually stopping on the last lap. Nice to race on another new track fair play to everyone involved @monstermountain.mx

Tru7 Honda Racing Academy

Callum Green had an impressive day as he took 9th overall in the MX1 class, continuing his return to top-level racing after several seasons of injury. And 17-year-old Charlie Heyman was a fine 5th overall in the MX2 class on his Honda CRF250R, battling with the top men in the series.

A delighted Green said: “That was a really good day for me as 11th and 10th for 9th overall is a positive step in the right direction. A year ago I was laid up in bed with a bad knee and now I’m in the top ten with good lap times and pace. So I’m very happy, the team were superb as always and it was a very good day for me.”

Heyman said: “I’m happy with my results today especially on that track which was a great new layout but was savage – very rough and technical. I had no crashes or major mistakes and the bike was just perfect. And of course the team were great, as always.”

S Briggs Commercials Honda

Stuart Edmonds (10th overall MX1):

Some weekends just don’t go to plan. Bad start in Moto 1 managed to climb back to 9th but turned things around in Moto 2 with a mega start, unfortunately then ran into a minor goggle malfunction half way through the first lap and had to pit for goggles so I then managed to fight my way back to 12th MX1. These things happen, that’s Motocross I guess. Sometimes maybe good…. Sometimes maybe sh*t.

Anyway big thank you @aford238 and @the_chillishamrock for your help over the weekend

JM10 Moto-Cycle Racing

Jason Meara:

Jason Meara 10 with a great ride at the MX Nationals UK Monster Mountain Mx

Quali P- 6. Race 1 DNF with three laps to go (broken fuel pipe) whilst fighting for P4.

Race 2, P- 5. Fantastic effort by Jason and the Team.

Blades Bikes Kawasaki

Charlie Cole:

“It was a tricky track but it’s great to come to somewhere new, big thanks to the Michelin MX Nationals crew for putting it on, it’s been amazing! In the first race the bike died on the first lap and I was about 40 seconds behind. I didn’t think I’d get back to the top ten to be honest, so to come through to 4th and then win that second race and get the overall is amazing really, so it’s been a great day!”

“We’re going to the German MXGP next weekend so hopefully it will bring the confidence up for the British, to take that next step is important. It’s gonna be a whole other level racing the MX2 GP boys, just to bring my game up and make it easier when I come back here. I’m just trying to keep the momentum going and have fun with it.

Charlie Cole took the win in MX2 at Monster Mountain

WPH/SBE/Pure/Redline KTM:

Jamie Wainwright:

“First podium for me in the Pro class, so I’m really happy with it, I have pushed hard. The new track here is a mega facility and I’ve enjoyed my day here. I’ve got the bike set up to where I want and the sponsors we need, really enjoying this season. Lying 6th in the British and leading the MX Nationals now is great, I’ll do the Weston and Bournemouth Beach Races at the end of the year, plus I’ve been blagged into riding a CR125 at the VMXdN Foxhill, we’ll see what that’s like!”

Phoenix Tools EvenStrokes Kawasaki

Team Principal Barry Moore was impressed with the venue: “I thought the track was fantastic, I’ve heard a few mixed reviews but they all agreed that on day two it did ride a lot better, so that will only improve over time. With the facility and where the track is positioned, I think there’s nothing else like it in the UK and we enjoyed our weekend here.”

Carlton Husband: “I had a bit of a mishap on the Dragon’s Back section, tried to jump it all and cased the landing. It busted my nose and cut my lip, but also jarred my back with the impact.”

Despite riding with some pain he was good to go for race one after some massage treatment, and after starting well dropped to 5th MX2 after the first full lap. He moved forward brilliantly , passing two of his competitors on the second lap, then forced into the class lead at half-distance! “I don’t know how I won to be honest!” He said afterwards, “I kept plugging away and the team were signalling P1, which was great to see, but I wasn’t sure if they’d made a mistake, asking them if they were sure when I crossed the line! I was over the moon with that especially after feeling rough from Qualifying.”

The pain was catching up with Carlton before race two, and the team weren’t sure if he should take the start, but he wanted to do all he could and rode in some discomfort through a hot and tough final moto of the day. Importantly, he passed a key championship rival on the opening lap, and finished ahead of the top two in the MX2 series coming into the day, eventually claiming 6th in class at the flag.  He just missed the podium, only 3 points shy of the overall win, and now lies 5th in the Apico Pro MX2 Championship. In a tremendously tight series Carlton is only 6 points behind the leader going into the next round at Oxford Moto Parc on the 9th of July!

Barry said “I was chuffed to bits with the race win, Carlton fought so hard for that. The championship is so close, there is all to play for which is brilliant. I wish Jay, Lucas, and Sam Atkinson who has been off long-term, a speedy recovery and hopefully we can get close to full strength for Hawkstone in two weeks’ time.”



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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