This is it. The 2024 Dirt Store ACU British Motocross Championship reaches its climax this weekend at Preston Docks MX, and it is all set to be an absolute barnstormer. The titles in all classes will be decided in an epic two-day race event, with the MX2 title fight particularly juicy!
Before we delve into MX2, let’s cast our eyes over MX1, where Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings holds a 15-point lead over British ace Conrad Mewse on his Crendon Tru7 Honda. Herlings is carrying a slight injury, but with a pair of fourths sealing the deal for the Dutchman, the title should be heading his way. That said, Mewse has a point to prove and will still do all he can to claw in the gap and get one over his rival.
Gabriel SS24 KTM’s Josh Gilbert looks to have locked down third in the Championship now after overcoming his injury problems, but newly crowned Scottish MX Champ Brad Todd will have other ideas and being just six points shy of the KTM rider, he will be on the hunt for big points at Preston Docks. Gilbert has a point to prove as well after being overlooked for an MXON team place and is likely to be looking for a ride for next year, so he has every incentive to get in the mix with Herlings and Mewse.
SC Sporthomes Husqvarna’s Tristan Purdon will be keen to put on a good show ahead of his MXON appearance for South Africa at Matterely Basin in a few weeks. He can’t be counted out of the race for the podium, being only 10 points down on Gilbert. On the fringes of the box are Jason Meara and Martin Barr’s Apico Honda, who both have MXON in their sights and potential 2025 team places.
Other riders who will be in the mix in MX1 this weekend will be the Bike It Kawasaki of Bobby Bruce, the 2024 Eastern Centre Champ Sam Nunn, Apico Honda’s Tom Grimshaw, Crendon Tru7 Honda’s Taylor Hammal, Chambers Racing Dan Thornhill, Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki’s Carlton Husband and privateer racer Chris Mills, all who will be looking to impress with team spots in mind for next year.
So, onwards to MX2, and heck, this is going to be awesome with four riders having a shot at taking the title. In the hot seat is Gabriel SS24 KTM’s Cas Valk, who has a single-point lead over Dirt Store Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle. Searle has a further six points on his young teammate Joel Rizzi. Six points down on Rizzi is the Bike It Kawasaki American Jack Chambers, so in essence, 13 points separate these four riders who all have the credentials to go 1-1 at Preston Docks and claim the title.
Valk is a great sand rider and, with his team spot secure with KTM for 2025, will be going all out to take the win, while Searle, who was phenomenal at Hawkstone last time out, will want to bow out the year and maybe his pro career with another British championship under his belt. For Rizzi, it is his time to shine. His pro career has been a tough slog, but this year, he has shown his speed and talent, and if there is one rider, a British title would do loads for it’s him. Chambers has had an arduous year on the GP circuit, and a title would be a great way to end the season for him and the team. Don’t forget he and Valk don’t see eye to eye, so he will be doing all he can to put one over on his rival and grab the win.
There are lots of riders in MX2, though, who could come between the top four and their title aspirations, all with agendas of their own with an eye on 2025 and their future career path in the sport. Young guns like Joe Brookes, Billy Askew, Ben Mustoe, Ollie Colmer, Charlie Heyman and Alfie Jones will all want to end 2024 on a high and put themselves in the shop window for team spots, as will the likes of Dylan Walsh and Charlie Cole who could both be looking for new riders. Throw into the mix the experienced riders like Jake Nicholls, Steven Clarke, Elliott Banks-Browne and Glenn McCormick, and we are all set for a super intriguing contest.
Alongside the Pro classes, the Youth classes will also be concluding their championships. In the Youth 125, all eyes will be on the rivalry between Jamie Keith and Josh Vail, which is brewing to be an epic title showdown with just 15 points between them.
Reece Jones looks odds-on for the Youth 250 title, but he can’t be complacent, as Harrison Greenough has been in good form this year.
Hayden Statt holds down a 33 point advantage over Alfie Geddes-Green in the Big Wheel 85’s but with four races still to go and 180 points on the board this is far from a done deal.
In the Small Wheel 85’s four riders are all in with a shout of the number one spot. As it stands Arthur Moore holds the red plate but Harley Marczak, Nixon Coppins and Leo Wilson are all within striking distance.
Cohen Jagielski has been sensational in the 65’s, and it’s going to take a big weekend for Elliott Shawyer to reel him in, but Elliott won’t give in the fight and will be doing all he can to take it to the last moto.
Tickets
Tickets are available at the gate or can be purchased in advance via https://www.tickettailor.com/events/prestondocksmx/1347143
Venue
Preston Docks MX
PR2 2HW
What 3 Words TREAT.TYPE.PRETTY
Feature Image courtesy of MXGB