Foxhill: Max Anstie weighs in on Conrad Mewse penalty – all fans saying the same thing

By Andrew Hill on 18th Apr 22

British Motocross Championship Conrad Mewse Foxhill Isak Gifting

Regardless of who they had turned up to support at the second round of the MXGB series, staged at the former Grand Prix circuit of Foxhill, they all left feeling the same way the penalising of Conrad Mewse was too much.

An on-track incident between the defending MX2 champion (Mewse) and former team-mate Isak Gifting left Mewse with a 10-place penalty, dropping the British rider to 11th place for the second moto at Foxhill.

The reveal of the penalty immediately angered MXGB fans, including his grandad Cliff, and former team-mate Max Anstie. Many took to social media to vent their frustration with the decision.

A few felt overtaking was getting thrown out of the sport.

@Mark Keylock

"Disgraceful penalty!! No overtaking anymore then! Complete joke!!!!"

@Chris Stone

"Totally disagree with this, he left the door open."

A couple didn't like the idea of other sports perceived failings cropping up in motocross.

@Graham Aldridge

"Motocross turning into Formula 1 its called racing."

@Ian Watling

"They spoiling racing, Conrad clearly best rider. They be wanting VAR next so can check every move and restart."

@Richard Jeffery

"Conrad was incredible, shocking decision to dock points, this is motocross, not football."

One popular comment from @AJ Taylor said:

"Gifting left the door wide open to a much faster rider, definitely doesn't deserve a 10-place penalty..."

Conrad's grandad weighed in with a popular comment.

@Cliff Mewse

"An absolute joke of a decision. Looks like sour grapes to me. Roll on Lyng but what will the complaint be there?"

The general consensus expressed to us was the penalty handed down to Conrad was an overreaction from officials, with nobody coming out in defence of the decision.

@Mark Smith

"Very harsh for Conrad IMO. Anyone who watches the GPs will know that."

And Max Anstie, a former team-mate of Mewse, had his say via an Instagram story, saying: "Bit harsh to give Conrad a 10-place penalty for that matey rode into him."

Mewse was caught in a first-turn crash in the second race that left the KTM privateer dead last. Reminiscent of a Herlings' charge, Mewse scythed his way through the field on a track that is unforgiving and tough. It was near the end of the moto that he caught Gifting. Mewse quickly put a firm pass on the Swedish rider that left him on the deck. That incident brought Mewse a 10-place penalty for "foul and unfair riding".

Conrad has dropped to second in the MX2 class standings, one point behind Gifting. The next round of the Revo ACU British Motocross Championship fuelled by Gulf Race Fuels will be held at Lyng on May 8.

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