We are just a few days away from the opening round of the 2025 Motul British Motocross Championship, and we continue a catch-up with some of the Rookies who are making their Pro MX2 debuts this year, and next up is 16-year-old Chester Hyde.
Chester started riding when he was four and took part in his first auto race on my 6th birthday. After passing his GCSEs a year early, he has earned himself a year off to focus on his racing while also helping with his Dad’s business, and also helping Cliff and the team at Mildenhall MX when he can, driving the dozer and helping with track prep.
On the track, Chester has proved a demon on a 125, but this year, he steps up to the 250f as he looks to make his mark on the Pro ranks…
Dirt Hub: Hey Chester, first up, how was your 2024 season?
Chester: My 2024 season started off great with a win at the opening round of Bridgestone’s at Oakhanger. A couple of weekends later, I broke my humorous bone at Round 2 of the Dirt Store MXGB, which put me out for the rest of the season.
DH: Now that you are stepping up to the Pro Ranks, how do you feel when you look back at your Youth career?
Chester: My youth career was solid, and even though I never got a title, I have always put myself to race with the fastest kids in the country. I have been a consistent top-three guy throughout the youth ranks, picking up some overall wins along the way.
DH: What are your stand-out achievements from your racing career so far?
Chester: Weston Beach Race I’ve been chasing the youth win and came up short twice by finishing 2nd.
My standout achievements in my youth career are taking the East Anglian Schoolboy SW85 win for the season, then when I stepped up to the National level, where I raced at Hawkstone and won the overall for the SW85 for MX Nationals. The other standouts were on the 125cc at Bridgestone’s in 2023 at Cusses Gorse, winning the overall, going 2,1,2,2, for one of my best weekends racing. The other was at Oakhanger, winning the 125 class again. I loved the track and carried the red plate into round 2.
READ MORE: BRITISH MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
DH: How has your pre-season been, and what have you been doing differently this winter to prepare for 2025?
Chester: My pre-season has been going well. In December, I did some off-the-bike training at a cycling camp in Mallorca, followed by some training in Spain with Justin Morris in January. I’ve been training midweek when I can and spending more time in the gym than in previous years.
DH: What Round of the British are looking forward to the most and why?
Chester: I’m looking forward to gaining experience racing with the pros and European riders. I am looking forward to the length of the races because I feel it should pay off, as I know my fitness is good. I am most nervous about the starts, as I haven’t done many on the 250 yet, which is a whole new technique to learn and build on.
DH: Do you have any Goals or targets for the year?
Chester: My goals for the year are to qualify and finish every race and log all the laps. I am trying not to set too many expectations; I just want to go out there and see where we end up, then build on each round, setting personal goals.
DH: What Round of the British are looking forward to the most and why?
Chester: I’m most looking forward to Lyng. It is a local track to me and I love how the track develops by the end of the day.
DH: Are there any Pro riders or former riders giving you advice on how to race with the Adults?
Chester: My trainer Justin Morris has been giving me advice that I need to prepare myself for the pro class the best he can.
DH: What Round of the British are looking forward to the most and why?
Chester: I would choose Tommy and Gyan because Tommy has competed in GPs and been successful in his career. Gyan is a Rookie who’s already achieved an 85-world title and is on the same programme to get to world level.
DH: What other Pro Rookies are you looking forward to racing against, and who will be your biggest rivals?
Chester: I am looking forward to racing some of the same lads I’ve raced with through the youth ranks, this time in a stacked out field.
Some of my rivals will be Bayliss Utting, Liam Bennett, Harrison Greenough, and Tyla Hooley. If I can battle any of these, it would be a good result for me.
DH: The new MXGB race format looks exciting, with qualifying and LCQs. What are your thoughts on this?
Chester: The new format should hopefully make it more exciting. It will be good to see a full line-up again, as it makes for better racing. This brings a lot more pressure on qualifying, and I will be trying to avoid the LCQ race as much as I can because you don’t want to put yourself in those situations.
DH: Where would you like to see yourself in five years time?
Chester: In five years, I see myself on a 450 in MX1, contending for top 10s. I hope to do some European races, too.
DH: Who would you like to thank for their support in 2025?
Chester: I would like to thank my mum and dad for all their support.
Huge thanks to
Steve Pammenter of SP LANDSCAPES for his support providing all kit for the season ahead via STORE 114 and Jordan Booker.
Shaun Raven of ALLTIME ALARM SOLUTIONS for his support in helping with some of the seasons fees.
Danny from SOUTHSIDE MX for providing both spares and graphics.
James Hearn at SHATTERED DESIGN for my shirt printing and paddock wear.
Cliff Bastick at MILDENHALL MX for my sponsored rides and hooking me up with Shattered Designs
Mark Chamberlain at ARMOUR VISION keeping my vision clear
Last but not least, Darren Wnukoski at MCT SUSPENSION for the time spent pre-season helping to get my bike set up. He has been brilliant for me coming to tracks to watch, advise and make me comfortable on the bike.
Grateful for all the support.
