2018 British Motocross Championship goes down to the wire – Lyng race preview

The Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean signs off this Sunday at Cadders Hill, Lyng, where the MX1, MX2 and MXY2 titles will all be decided.

It’s been a season that’s felt the full force of Mother Nature – the previous round at Foxhill was cancelled and the Lyng event was postponed from the start of the year following heavy rain – and injuries have and will also play a major part in deciding the final standings.

MX1

The big news, as we reported last week, is that MX1 series leader Jake Nicholls (Buildbase Honda) is out after breaking his leg at an Eastern Centre race at Blaxhall. The 28-year-old could still take the title but it’s now out of his hands as he won’t be able to add to his 39-point lead.

With 50 points on the table on Sunday, the only rider who’ll be able to deprive Jake of the title is 2010 champion Evgeny Bobryshev (Lombard Express Suzuki with PAR Homes). The former HRC man will need to come away with at least 40 points – a pair of thirds will do the job – so it’s by no means a done deal.

Defending champion Graeme Irwin (Hitachi ASA KTM UK) is also sidelined after sustaining a wrist injury at the final GP of the season at Imola so expect Elliott Banks-Browne (Geartec Husqvarna) and Tommy Searle (Bike It DRT Kawasaki) to leapfrog him. Ryan Houghton (Rob Hooper Racing Yamaha) could pass him but he’ll need to have his highest-scoring ride of the year.

MX2

The MX2 title may also be decided by an injury. Series leader Conrad Mewse (Hitachi ASA KTM UK) broke his hand last time out at Hawkstone Park and the DNF that resulted saw his advantage over Josh Gilbert (Buildbase Honda) slashed to just 14 points.

Conrad has been back in action since and scored world championship points in Holland and Italy so will start favourite but he’ll need to bring his A game to Norfolk.

Mel Pocock (REVO Husqvarna UK) is next in the queue and, lying just a point behind Josh, is certainly within striking range of the title. He’s taken the overall at the last two rounds and since Hawkstone has secured second in the EMX250 championship so his speed is not in doubt.

MXY2

In MXY2 it was 15-year-old Rossi Beard (Putoline Planet Husqvarna) who came away with a three-race maximum score from Hawkstone to jump into a 24-point championship lead over George Sim-Mutch (Manchester MX Husqvarna) with Joel Rizzi (RFX Crescent Yamaha) a further 10 points adrift.

Practice kicks off at 9am with the first MXY2 race at 10.45am. The opening MX2 race is at noon. On-the-gate admission is £20 for adults and £5 for children with family tickets available priced at £45.

Finding your way to the Lyng circuit

Cadders Hill is situated just north of the A1067 Norwich to Fakenham road and three miles from the A47 Norwich to Kings Lynn road. Postcode is NR9 5QZ.