Hawkstone Park gets ready to host Motul MXGB Round One
By Team TMX on 11th Mar 26
If early signs are anything to go by, the 2026 Motul MXGB ACU British Motocross Championship could be one of the hardest to predict in years. All three classes are packed with proven winners, returning contenders and rising talent, making forecasts a risky business.
On Sunday, March 15, the opening round takes place at Hawkstone Park, round two heads to Preston Docks on April 5, followed by Lyng in Norfolk on May 3. Landrake hosts round four on May 17 before the series travels Monster Mountain on June 14. Canada Heights provides the mid-summer stop on July 12, Duns stages the penultimate round on August 9, and the championship finale takes place at Blaxhall in Suffolk on September 27.
So, who are the riders to watch?
In MX1 powered by Apico, Conrad Mewse (Crendon Tru7.com Honda) starts as the clear benchmark after a dominant 2025 campaign. His only defeats came against 2024 champion Jeffrey Herlings, who made a wildcard appearance at Duns on his Red Bull KTM. Herlings – now on HRC Honda machinery – is confirmed to contest at least the Preston Docks rounds again in 2026, but over a full season Mewse’s main challengers are likely to be Adam Sterry (Chambers KTM), Josh Gilbert (Apico Honda) and returning contender Ben Watson (Dirt Store Triumph).
Mewse made last year’s title charge look straightforward, but the reality was anything but. Sterry regularly showed race-winning speed but never quite converted it into victory, while Gilbert remained close behind the leading pair and, now free from MXGP commitments and settled within the Apico Honda squad, could yet make 2026 his year.
Watson, however, may prove the rider best placed to challenge Mewse. Returning to the domestic championship full-time for the first time since winning the MX2 crown in 2017, the move to the Dirt Store Triumph team could provide the fresh start he needs after two difficult seasons leading Beta’s factory MXGP effort.
Gabriel SS24 KTM’s Oriol Oliver also joins the MX1 ranks after illness ended what looked like a potential MX2 title-winning campaign in 2025. The Spaniard remains something of an unknown on a 450 but has the talent to run near the front. Taylor Hammal (Bike It Kawasaki), fourth overall last year despite missing the opener, could also feature prominently.
Former MX2 title challenger Bobby Bruce steps up to MX1 as a Honda-mounted privateer after injury curtailed his promising 2025 season. Others capable of troubling the top 10 include Carlton Husband (Phoenix Tools Fantic), Tristan Purdon (Lexa MX Honda), Jason Meara (Moto Cycle Racing Yamaha), Tom Grimshaw (Apico Honda), Ben Edwards (Absolute MX KTM), Dan Thornhill (Chambers KTM) and Jamie Carpenter (Crendon Tru7.com Honda).
MX2 could be even harder to call. Reigning champion Tommy Searle (Dirt Store Triumph) returns after finally claiming the class crown in 2025 at the age of 36. It was far from straightforward: injury forced him to miss a round and a costly final-round DNF nearly undid his campaign, yet he still emerged champion by seven points. Experience remains his greatest weapon.
Charlie Heyman (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna) finished as Searle’s closest challenger despite not taking a race win and has already shown the consistency required to fight for a championship. Searle’s teammate Billy Askew also enters the season as a serious title threat after a luckless 2025 campaign derailed by crashes and injuries despite clear front-running pace.
Ben Mustoe (ASA United GASGAS) claimed his maiden win last season before a shoulder injury halted his title charge, while Dutch rider Gyan Doensen (Gabriel SS24 KTM) will be eager to rediscover the form expected of him before injury struck. Joel Rizzi, returning to MX2 with the SevenSeven2 Kawasaki squad after a difficult year on a 450, should also re-enter the title conversation.
Privateer Joe Brookes (Nationwide Signs Triumph) has never lacked speed but will need consistency to challenge regularly, while Calum Mitchell (Worx Total Triumph) and Ollie Colmer (Chambers KTM) both showed significant progress last year. Colmer’s parallel MX2 World Championship campaign should only sharpen his pace.
Several familiar names also join the class for 2026. John Adamson moves from MX1 to MX2 on a 250 two-stroke with Phoenix Tools Fantic, while Brad Todd will ride a similar machine when competing in Britain alongside his AMA commitments. Lancaster privateer Max Harris also switches to two-stroke Yamaha power.
Young prospects include Jamie Keith, the Matterley Basin bLU cRU Superfinal winner returning from injury, alongside Josh Vail (Phoenix Tools Fantic) and reigning 125 champion Charlie Richmond (S Briggs Honda) stepping up to four-stroke machinery.
As ever, MX125 powered by RFX looks stacked with emerging talent. Reigning bLU cRU champion Drew Stock (JK Yamaha) and Hayden Statt (Chambers Racing KTM) headline the returning contenders, while Lucas Moncrief (3Flo Crescent Yamaha) continues his progression. Newcomers from the 85cc ranks include Harley Marczak (S Briggs Yamaha), Arthur Moore (TM) and Joel Winstanley-Dawson (GASGAS).
We’ll get a clearer picture once Hawkstone Park is in the books, but one thing already seems certain – across all three classes, the 2026 British Motocross Championship is shaping up to be fiercely competitive.
For more information, visit the series’ official website at www.mxgb.co.uk.
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