Motul ACU British Motocross Championship: Lyng race report & pictures
By Team TMX on 23rd Sep 25
Conrad Mewse, riding a Crendon TRU7 Honda, had already secured the 2025 Motul ACU British Motocross Championship a round earlier at Duns in Scotland, but that didn’t stop him from winning both MX1 races at the final round eight at Lyng in Norfolk last Sunday.
With that championship wrapped up, all eyes turned to the fierce battles in MX2, Under-21, and manic 125s - and none of them disappointed in terms of excitement.
Tommy Searle (Dirt Store Triumph), looked to have one hand on the winner's gold plate before the racing had even started as he approached the final round with a 29-point lead over Charlie Heyman (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna). However, the straightforward task of simply following Heyman over the finish line in race one quickly turned into a nightmare when the rear wheel of his bike broke, handing him a DNF. That mechanical failure meant he went into race two with a reduced nine-point advantage.
You had to feel for Ryan Waggott (Radgie Ry Racing KTM). He started the event 29 points behind series leader Charlie Richmond (Yamaha) and was realistically the only rider who could snatch the championship away from him. But DNFs in both races robbed him of that chance, as Richmond went on to win.
Lyng, the old-school historic track, looked in great condition and every bit the GP circuit it once was. But as anyone who has ridden it knows, half an hour of racing transforms the smooth sandy surface into a power-sapping monster that drains even the best riders to their limits.
Adam Sterry (Chambers KTM) came ready, setting the fastest qualifying time ahead of five Hondas, including Mewse, Josh Gilbert, and John Adamson (both on Lexa MX Hondas), Tom Grimshaw (Apico Honda), and Brad Todd (DK Offroad/Bikesport Honda).
Adamson grabbed the holeshot at the start of the first MX1 race, followed by Sterry, Gilbert, and Mewse. By lap three, Mewse had moved into second and was closing rapidly on Adamson. A lap later, Adamson slipped and dropped to fourth, where he eventually finished.
Sterry chased Mewse home in second, with Gilbert third.
The top four established a comfortable gap, with Taylor Hammal (Bike It Kawasaki), Todd, and Grimshaw locked in behind but unable to close.
Sterry led the opening lap of race two, with Mewse, Hammal, Grimshaw, Dan Thornhill (Chambers KTM), a sickly Gilbert, and Todd in tow. By the end of lap two, Mewse had moved into second and began chasing down Sterry, who was setting a blistering pace. Hammal pushed his way past Adamson for third.
By halfway, Gilbert was in fourth after passing Grimshaw and Adamson.
With four laps to go, Mewse surged past Sterry to take the lead and secured the win ahead of Hammal, Gilbert, and Adamson.
Overall, it was Mewse, Sterry, and Gilbert on the podium, with Hammal just missing out - coincidentally the exact order of the final championship standings.
“It was tough today - the guys have stepped up their pace,” said a delighted MX1 champion Mewse. “Adam (Sterry) really pushed me in the second race, and it’s always nice to battle with him throughout the year, along with Josh (Gilbert), Taylor (Hammal), and all the other guys. I had a little problem in the first race - the throttle was sticking open a bit on the downhills, and you don’t need that around here. We fixed it for the second race, and it was another one-one. Pretty much a perfect year for me.”
Second overall, Sterry said: “I’ve been getting closer and closer to Conrad (Mewse), but unfortunately it’s the end of the year,” he added with a big smile. “I really wanted to win here today, and in the second moto I really tried, but a couple of mistakes cost me the lead. Fair play to Conrad - he’s been riding well all year, so I can’t be too hard on myself.”
Gilbert, third overall, said: “It’s been a bit of a mixed day for me. I usually feel pretty good here, and qualifying was close, and I felt all right. In the first race, I struggled with some dreaded arm pump from the second lap but still managed third. We made some bike changes for race two, which helped, but something hit me between motos - a weird sickness - and I felt rough. Then I crashed on the first lap, which didn’t help.”
MX2 qualifying was tight, with Joe Brookes (Triumph) and Calum Mitchell (Worx Total Triumph) posting nearly identical times. Series contender Heyman was fourth, while Searle was back in eighth, over two and a half seconds slower than the fastest time.
Local hero Mitchell sent the crowd wild when he grabbed the holeshot in the first MX2 race. He led from start to finish, looking faster and faster as the laps ticked off, even ghosting his bike after crossing the line.
Brookes gated second but was passed on lap five by Oriol Oliver (Gabriel SS24 KTM), while Heyman pressured Glenn McCormick (Chambers KTM) for fourth.
Meanwhile, Searle - desperate to seal the championship in race one - was pushing hard, going higher and longer over the jumps to stay with the leaders. But on lap nine of 14, disaster struck when his rear wheel collapsed completely. The stricken bike had to be carried back to the paddock with a track stake through the wheel, leaving Searle without points.
Brookes kept the pressure on Mitchell for five laps before Oliver slipped past for second. But Oliver couldn’t close the gap, leaving Mitchell to cruise home to a popular win.
Heyman made moves of his own, passing McCormick for fourth on lap five, then Brookes for third with three laps to go.
On the final lap, Brookes slipped, allowing McCormick and Ollie Colmer (Chambers KTM) through for fourth and fifth.
Race two saw Colmer grab the holeshot, but Mitchell and Oliver passed him on lap two. Mitchell’s time at the front was short-lived, however, as Oliver snatched the lead at halfway and never looked back - taking away Mitchell’s shot at a first British Championship overall.
Searle and Heyman gated fourth and fifth, but Heyman quickly passed into third. Searle, now thinking of the bigger picture, sat behind his rival, following him over the line in fifth. That was enough to seal the 2025 British MX2 Championship.
Max Werner (Gabriel SS24 KTM) and Davy Pootjes both saw their races end early – Werner broke his wrist without crashing but Pootjes went down hard.
Overall, Oliver took the win on equal points with Mitchell, with Heyman third. In the final standings, Searle finished seven points clear of Heyman and Oliver.
“It’s been a stressful day when it didn’t need to be,” admitted champion Searle. “Coming into the last round with a 27-point lead, I thought it would be plain sailing and that I could wrap it up in race one. But the rear wheel broke. That meant I started race two with only nine points, which is decent, but after that failure, you’re worried it’ll happen again. Still, job done - Charlie (Heyman) was fourth and I was fifth, so the championship is wrapped up. I’m really happy for myself and the whole Dirt Store Triumph Team.”
Reflecting on his past British 250 campaigns, he added: “I remember in 2006 I lost it to Carl Nunn at Hawkstone Park by one point. In 2007 I lost it to Mike Brown by one point as well. I stopped racing the British championship for 11 years, then came back on a 450. Now, back on a 250 and finally winning the championship - happy days.”
Race winner Oliver said: “I’ve really enjoyed racing over here this year, and the variety of tracks has been great.”
Mitchell, second overall and the happiest man of the day, said: “I don’t think what’s happened today will sink in until I watch it back on the live stream. The first moto felt easy, but the second was tough - the track was brutal, and I don’t have much time to practise in the week, so it took its toll. But it feels amazing to do this at my home race. Thanks to everyone hanging over the fences cheering me on.”
Third overall and 2025 Under-21 champion Heyman said: “It’s been a good day. Things got a bit close after Tommy’s bike broke, and it kind of gave me hope. In the second race, I was fourth, which gave me third overall and second in the championship - but first in the Under-21s. Overall, it’s been positive. I’ve got better and stronger as the year’s gone on, and I’ll build on that for next year.”
The 125s once again proved incredible value. Heading into the final round, it looked like a two-horse race between Richmond and Waggott - but the results didn’t go as expected.
Drew Stock (Yamaha) took the holeshot in race one and led from start to finish, securing his first win of the day. Lucas Moncrieff (3 Flo Yamaha) qualified second but was quickly passed by a flying Waggott.
Waggott’s race lasted only three more laps before his KTM stopped, ending his championship hopes with a DNF.
Moncrieff reclaimed second and finished runner-up, while Hayden Statt (HS Racing Yamaha) - after crashing on lap one and dropping to fourth - fought his way back to third.
Richmond had a nervous start in seventh but quickly moved to fifth. He then slipped back again before clawing his way to fourth, which was enough to secure the 2025 British 125 title.
With the pressure gone, Richmond led race two from start to finish. Waggott’s day, meanwhile, ended before completing a lap.
Statt capitalised to take second, while Stock settled for third.
Moncrieff’s race ended in a lap-five crash, allowing Harry Lee (Fantic) into fourth.
Overall, it was Stock from the new champion Richmond, with Statt third. In the final standings, it was Richmond, Statt, and Waggott.
“I didn’t start the championship well this year with a couple of bike problems,” admitted new champion Richmond. “But things improved at Blaxhall, where I had two seconds. Winning both races at Preston Docks helped, and then I won all four at Duns. I was nervous in the first race today but managed to win the second. It’s been a really good year, and the plan is to move up to MX2 next season and do some selected EMX250 rounds too.”
Apico MX1
1 Conrad Mewse (Crendon TRU7 Honda) 25 + 25 = 50
2 Adam Sterry (Chambers KTM) 22 + 22 = 44
3 Josh Gilbert (Lexa MX Honda) 20 + 18 = 38
4 Taylor Hammal (Bike it Kawasaki) 16 + 20 = 36
5 John Adamson (Lexa MX Honda) 18 + 16 = 34
6 Tom Grimshaw (Apico Factory Honda) 14 + 15 = 29
7 Brad Todd (Honda) 15 + 14 = 29
8 Daniel Thornhill (Chambers KTM) 13 + 13 = 26
9 Carlton Husband (Phoenix Tools Fantic) 12 + 12 = 24
10 Bayliss Utting (Honda) 9 + 10 = 19
Final Apico MX1 championship positions 2025
1 Mewse 388, 2 Sterry 323, 3 Gilbert 289, 4 Hammal 228, 5 Adamson 193, 6 Thornhill, 7 Husband 159, 8 Purdon 149, 9 Grimshaw 136, 10 Barr 130.
MX2
1 Oriol Oliver (Gabriel SS24 KTM) 22 + 25 = 47
2 Calum Mitchell (Worx Total Triumph) 25 + 22 = 47
3 Charlie Hayman (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna) 20 + 18 = 38
4 Olie Colmer (Chambers KTM) 16 + 20 = 36
5 Glenn McCormick (Chambers KTM) 18 + 8 = 26
6 Gavin Stevenson (Honda) 11 + 14 = 25
7 Josh Vail (Phoenix Tools Fantic) 12 + 13 = 24
8 Eddie-Jay Wade (KTM) 13 + 11 = 24
9 Neville Bradshaw (Yamaha) 7 + 15 = 22
10 Adam Collings (Moto-cycle Racing GASGAS) 9 + 10 = 19
Final MX 2 championship positions 2025
1 Searle 275, 2 Hayman 268, 3 Oliver 245, 4 Mustoe 219, 5 McCormick 186, 6 Colmer 184, 7 Mitchell 179, 8 Nicholls 166, 9 Askew 164, 10 Vail 148.
JMR Under-21
1 Ollie Colmer (Chambers KTM) 22 + 25 = 47
2 Charlie Heyman (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna) 25 + 22 = 47
3 Josh Vail (Phoenix Tools Fantic) 16 + 20 = 36
4 Lennox Dickinson (Worx Triumph) 14 + 18 = 32
5 Max Harris (KTM) 15 + 14 = 29
6 Sonny Rooney (Husqvarna) 12 + 13 = 25
7 Raife Broadley (Fantic) 7 + 16 = 23
8 Bailey Johnson (KTM) 8 + 15 = 23
9 Harrison Greenough (KTM) 11 + 11 = 22
10 Liam Bennett (KTM) 13 + 9 = 22
Final JMR Under-21 championship positions 2025
1 Heyman 317, 2 Mustoe 253, 3 Vail 231, 4 Colmer 229, 5 Askew 194, 6 Broadley 186, 7 Doensen 167, 8 Karssemakers 152, 9 Brookes 146, 10 Dickinson 140.
RFX 125
1 Drew Stock (Yamaha) 25 + 20 = 45
2 Charlie Richmond (Yamaha) 18 + 25 = 43
3 Hayden Statt (HS Racing Yamaha) 20 + 22 = 42
4 Harry Lee (Fantic) 16 + 18 = 34
5 Christopher Brindley (KTM) 15 + 16 = 31
6 Zane Stephens (Yamaha) 11 + 15 = 26
7 Fabian-Junior Morrison () 13 + 13 = 26
8 Jack Evens (KTM) 8 + 14 = 22
9 Lucas Moncrieff (3 Flo Yamaha) 22 + 0 = 22
10 Harvey Collins (Yamaha) 9 + 12 = 21
Final RFX 125 championship positions 2025
1 Richmond 366, 2 Statt 296, 3 Waggott 294, 4 Stock 294, 5 Lee 247, 6 Moncrieff 213, 7 Stephens 200, 8 Brindley 178, 9 Evens 144, 10 Grainger 122.
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