Continuing our weekly check on the state of play in British Motocross for 2024, here is how it all looks at the start of November 2023.
Words: Ben Rumbold, Images: Elliot Spencer
Most of the big news this week has centred around the schedule announcements for the Dirt Store British Championships and the Fastest 40 series – for the last time I’ll remind you, that’s the new name for the Michelin MX Nationals, so we’ll consign that name to the history books from here on in!
There has also been the news of a new series, run by NORA92, with 4 British races and 2 in Europe. There are some credible names behind this initiative but word is that a few big teams won’t go near it. It is highly ambitious but we shall see what happens as further announcements come through.
In terms of rider and team announcements, the big news finally broke about the full line-up for Dirt Store Kawasaki, the team that was GRT Impact KTM which has run many top Youth riders over the last few seasons, and now steps into the big leagues with four-time British Champion Tommy Searle, his VMXdN teammate Mel Pocock, and exciting Welsh youngster Joel Rizzi. Tommy will again be on the 450 in MX1, with Mel & Joel tackling MX2 outdoors. Pocock will be on a 450 for Arenacross alongside his defending Champion teammate Searle.
SC Sporthomes Husqvarna have put out a post acknowledging their 2023 season and saying that their plans will be announced soon. ASA United GASGAS, Chambers Racing, and Verde Shiloh KTM are still on the quiet side, and there is no word yet as to whether or not Yamaha will have a presence following the unfortunate closing of the Cab Screens Crescent team.
One other home that some of the unannounced riders might find is the new set up called Ultimate Wheels TPC KTM – born from the Ultimate Wheels/Thunder Road Honda squad that looked so good in the British paddock despite some modest results, they are certainly an ambitious crew and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a top ten racer rolling out of their awning in 2024. The fact that a new big rig has been purchased for their setup should been that one or two top men could be flying their flag next year.
There will also be a splash of yellow around the place, at the very least in Arenacross, as the Herefordshire-based AJP team move to Suzuki for 2024, after showing some good results in AX ’23 on Husqvarna. Their team will be announced soon but it’s uncertain which paddock they will be showing up to when it all moves outdoors.
Here’s your current state of play for the top riders in the UK as it stands.
MX1:
1. Conrad Mewse – Confirmed as staying with Crendon Fastrack Honda.
2. Josh Gilbert – Confirmed with Gabriel SS24 KTM
3. Harri Kullas – Unannounced, Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha closing down
4. Tristan Purdon – Unannounced, left Gabriel SS24 KTM
5. John Adamson – PW Racing KTM for winter, 2024 Unannounced
6. Evgeny Bobryshev – Unannounced, possibly staying with SC Sporthomes Husqvarna?
7. Jamie Carpenter – leaving Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha, destination unannounced, will be an Austrian bike.
8. Brad Todd – Confirmed as staying on a private Honda with support from Apico and Bikesport Honda.
9. Tom Grimshaw – leaving Chambers Racing, destination unannounced.
10. Tommy Searle – Confirmed with Dirt Store Kawasaki in MX1.
11. Liam Knight – Unannounced, possibly staying with Gabriel KTM?
12. Ashton Dickinson – Unannounced, possibly staying with TALK Templant KTM?
13. Ivo Monticelli – Unannounced, probably leaving the UK.
14. Martin Barr – Apico Husqvarna squad has announced that it will be rebooted, unsure if Marty will still be onboard.
15. Shaun Simpson – Confirmed as staying with Gabriel SS24 KTM but as Team Manager only
16. Stuart Edmonds – Unannounced, possibly staying on a private Honda with S Briggs Commercials?
17. Jason Meara – Confirmed as staying with Moto-Cycle GASGAS.
18. Dan Thornhill – Confirmed as staying with Chambers Racing.
19. Miro Sihvonen – Unannounced, possibly staying with SC Sporthomes Husqvarna?
20. Callum Green – Confirmed as moving from TRU7 Honda to Crendon Fastrack Honda.
NEW ARRIVAL – Brian Bogers – Confirmed with Revo GASGAS Racing.
MX2:
1. Isak Gifting – Moving to a 450 for MXGP, uncertain if staying in the UK.
2. Taylor Hammal – Confirmed as moving to TRU7 Honda Racing Academy in MX2
3. Elliott Banks-Browne – Confirmed as staying in MX2 with SC Sporthomes Husqvarna.
4. Bobby Bruce – Unannounced but confirmed as leaving ASA United GASGAS
5. Jamie Wainwright – Unannounced, possibly staying with his own family-backed KTM team?
6. Carlton Husband – Confirmed as staying in MX2 with Phoenix Tools Even Strokes Kawasaki.
7. Charlie Heyman – left TRU7 Honda, destination unannounced.
8. Sam Nunn – Confirmed as leaving Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha for Chambers Racing.
9. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku – Confirmed as leaving SC Sporthomes Husqvarna for AMA racing.
10. Charlie Cole – Confirmed as staying in MX2, moving from Blades Bikes to Phoenix Tools Even Strokes Kawasaki.
11. Ben Mustoe – Unannounced, possibly staying with ASA United GASGAS?
12. Joel Rizzi – Confirmed with Dirt Store Kawasaki.
13. Jack Chambers – Unannounced, possibly staying with Big Van World MTX Kawasaki, maybe full-time in British Champs?
14. Mel Pocock – Confirmed with Dirt Store Kawasaki.
15. Glenn McCormick – Unannounced, possibly staying with Chambers Racing?
16. Jake Millward – Unannounced, possibly staying with Verde Shiloh KTM?
17. Ben Franklin – Unannounced, possibly staying with Chambers Racing?
18. Bailey Johnston – Unannounced, possibly staying with Verde Shiloh KTM?
19. Joe Brookes – Confirmed on private KTM with support from Nationwide Signs Ltd..
20. Tommy Searle – see MX1!
21. James Barker – Confirmed on private KTM, looking for further sponsorship.
22. Alfie Jones – Confirmed as staying with Chambers Racing.
23. Dylan Walsh – Unannounced, possibly going full-time AMA?
NEW ARRIVAL – Ethan Lane – Confirmed with Revo GASGAS Racing
NEW ARRIVAL – Billy Askew – Confirmed with Revo GASGAS Racing
NEW ARRIVAL – Cas Valk – Confirmed with Gabriel SS24 KTM
BACK FROM INJURY – Ollie Colmer – Confirmed with K-Tech Aristocars KTM
