Never shy to break new ground, the 2023 Michelin MX Nationals travel to Wales this weekend and the brand spanking new Monster Mountain MX track in Wales near Merthyr Tydfil for the second round of their championship. The scope of the circuit and the work done to make this an epic venue is out of this world.
It seems like an age ago that we were at Oakhanger for round one where Conrad Mewse below the opposition away in the Fastest 40 and in doing so he is the racer to beat in Pro MX1, but his Crendon Fastrack Honda team mate Josh Gilbert is on the attack, with his eyes firmly set on being the top dog, both in the Championship and under the Honda awning. Multi time MX National’s Champ Harri Kullas went 2-2 at Oakhanger and will be keen to make his mark on the new circuit and make it to the top step of the podium for the Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha team.
Behind the lead trio are Apico Husqvarna’s Martin Barr who comes into this event battered and bruised from a crash at Blaxhall, ASA United Gas Gas’s John Adamson, Chambers Racing’s Tom Grimshaw and Dan Thornhill, as well as the likes of Gav Stevenson, Charlie Putnam, Stu Edmonds, Jay Hague and Jamie Carpenter who will all be looking close the gap between them and the lead trio.
The Pro MX2 class has been an intriguing one this year with a new set of riders battling it out for supremacy against some of the more experienced racers. Bailey Johnston took an emotional victory at Oakhanger; stunning everyone with a phenomenal 1-1 performance and he will be out for more of the same in Wales but his Verde Siloh KTM team mate Jake Millward knows the score and will be looking to rail his 2 Stroke to victory this weekend. Calum Mitchell had a stand out event also at Oakhanger with second overall, while Jamie Wainwright was solid in Hampshire too. Ones to watch will be the bang on form Charlie Cole, the emerging Charlie Heyman, and Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha racer Sam Nunn who given a slice of luck with be in contention for a podium spot.
Our sources tell us that the Expert line up is the best the series has ever had in its 10 year existence. As it stands in MX1 Declan Whittle holds the lead, just a point ahead of James Dodd, but with a stacked entry that could all change this weekend. In MX2 Ben Mustoe was a revelation on his ASA United Gas Has at Oakhanger going 1-1-1 ahead of Uldis Freibergs and Jimmy Margetson. Could Mustoe repeat this feat in Wales?
The always entertaining Amateur classes saw Lewis Taylor unbeaten in MX1 at round 1 and in doing so tops the standings ahead of Luke Mellows and John Kirk, but this group is always up and down so anything could happen this weekend. Just two points split the top three in MX2 with Luca Pegg clinching onto the Red plate ahead of Alex Buchanan and Raife Broadley.
The Clubman classes are packed to the rafters and Tallon Aspden will be going all out to defend his slender one point lead over Ryan King with Billy Saunders another two points back. Matt Tolley was the most consistent MX2 performer at Oakhanger and will look to back that up this weekend and keep the likes of Matthew Pocock and Aaron Framingham at bay.
In the Youth ranks Reece Jones on his SJP Moto machine was sublime at round 1 winning three from three in MXY1 with Jake Walker and Wesley McGavin his closest challengers unless another young gun can notch it up a gear in Wales. Billy Askew remains unbeaten in any MXY2 competition this year and it’s hard to see that changing this weekend but it won’t be for the lack of trying and Bayliss Utting and Jak Taylor certainly have the talent and speed to make him work for it, or pounce if he makes a mistake.
Josh Vail was another stand out performer at Oakhanger in the Big Wheel 85’s and has been a dominant force so far in 2023. Jamie Keith, Charlie Richmond, Drew Stock and Hayden Statt though will have their eyes firmly on the prize this weekend.
Over in the Small Wheel 85’s the battle between Joel Winstanley-Dawson and Marty Spires is set to be resumed after some great battles at R1.
The Venue
Monster Mountain MX
Merthyr Tydfil
South Wales
CF48 4AE
Tickets
Spectator tickets can be purchased here >> https://mxnationals.co.uk/spectator-tickets/
Live Streaming
We have had confirmation that Sunday’s action will be live streamed for Free on Dirt World TV. Hook up with their YouTube channel to watch >> https://www.youtube.com/@DirtWorld-TV