Preview: Bridgestone British Masters opener kicks off at Culham

This weekend, the 2019 Bridgestone British Masters will kick start its season at Culham MX, as the series puts behind it the disappointment of Hawkstone getting cancelled because of the British weather.

Culham is a fine circuit to start the season and the hillside track next to the river Thames in Oxfordshire should witness plenty of great racing over the two days with full gates expected for the popular series.

In the pro classes, Elliott Banks-Browne makes a welcome return from injury, while the in-form Ryan Houghton must be one of the favourites for MX1 race wins. But the likes of Jake Shipton, Dan Thornhill, Josh Spinks, and Brad Todd will have other ideas.

Buildbase Honda’s Jake Nicholls is still recovering from an injury that destroyed what was looking like a very promising 2018 season. Lewis Tombs maybe switching from MX2 to MX1 as cover.

Over in Pro MX2, and it’s looking wide open – although Carlton Husband has had some good rides on his Phoenix Tools Kawasaki.

However, Luke Smith, Jay Hague, Corey Hockey and Taylor Hammal will keep him honest – in fact any of the other MX2 riders can sneak into the overall results come the end of Sunday.

Adam Wells was runner-up in the Amateur MX1 class and will start as one of the favourites to notch up some handy points, while Matt Lomas and Colin McLuckie may have something to say about that. But both amateur classes have a habit of throwing up some different winner.

Second place in last year’s Amateur MX2 championship, Aaron Ongley, is back this year and aims to go one better. But Mitchell Warhurst is out to stop him.

Greg Fisher is back to defend his Clubman class championship while in a packed 125 class Dylan Spencer and Sam Price will once again be fighting for race wins and the championship title.

The ever-competitive MXT2s will be wind open again and with new riders moving into the class, this year’s title battle will be tougher than ever, but look out for Ike Carter, Kyle McNicholl to be up the sharp end come race time.

The Big and Small Wheel 85s, like any of the youth classes, are the most open for a winner and hard to call. The same goes for the 65s.

Riders are reminded no charcoal BBQs, but you can use a gas powered one…with care!

Entry for spectators is £10, £5 for concessions with children under three getting in free.

Camping is free, but it maybe be a bit cold on top of the Culham hill.

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