Mewse set to begin defence of 250cc British motocross title

THE Maxxis Tyres-backed British Motocross Championships kick off at the curiously named Fat Cat Moto Park at Armthorpe, near Doncaster, in South Yorkshire tomorrow, writes Mick Perry.

But reigning 500cc champion Evgeny Bobryshev has decided not to defend his title in the new series, which will be again over seven rounds.

Graeme Irwin, who ran the Russian a close second in 2018 has quit the sport after an injury-stricken series to go road racing.

Long-term injuries have also ruled out Jake Nicholls and Elliott BanksBrowne. However, it is not all doom and gloom as world championship runners Shaun Simpson and Tommy Searle are both contesting the series and Max Anstie is expected to compete in selected rounds. Mel Pocock has also moved up a notch from the 250cc class last year and others expected to shine are Estonian Gert Krestinov, Latvian Harri Kullas as well as Ryan Houghton, Brad Anderson, Dan Thornhill and Swindon’s James Dunn.

Shepton Mallet KTM star Conrad Mewse holds the 250cc title, but he is expected to be closely challenged throughout the series by St Austell Honda star Joshua Gilbert, who was a close second last year, and New Zealand’s Dillon Walsh and Ireland’s Martin Barr, plus many others who have moved up through the youth ranks over the past couple of years.

In Devon, the Teignbridge Club are hoping for a break in the wet weather so that their South West OffRoad Series motocross can go ahead as planned at the Fishacre Barton track at Littlehempston, near Totnes.

Expert entries include Jack Stevens, Ben and Tom Gibbons, James Bixton, Peter Bulley, Aaron Austin, Leigh Williams, Ben Butler and possibly local all-rounder Nick Life.

Bristol’s Victoria Payne will be in action in the opening round of the British Ladies and Girls’ Trial Championship at Aston Tirrold on the Berkshire-Oxfordshire border near Didcot.

Cornwall Centre Championship points are at stake in the Pendennis Club’s Trial at Perran-Ar-Worthal, between Redruth and Falmouth where current champion George Edyvean will have regular award winners Ian and Shaun Martin, Max Diment, Ty Hendra and Simon and Darren James to contend with.

Other events include the Somerton Club’s Championship Trial at Shipham Road, Cheddar, this afternoon and the Tiverton Club’s South West Centre Trial, at Tolland, near Bishop’s Lydeard, tomorrow.

However, the British Sporting Sidecar Association’s Reg Lewis Sidecar and Solo Trial has been shelved until later in the year.