Conrad Mewse: “To come out on top is a big weight off my shoulders”

Conrad Mewse delivered a commanding performance at the Landrake round of the British MX1 championship, securing victories in both races and claiming the championship lead for the first time this season. Riding for Crendon Tru7 Honda, Mewse now holds a slender one-point advantage over Ben Watson, with Oriol Oliver in third place. The Landrake event marked the halfway point of the campaign, and Mewse’s double win brings his tally to three race victories, underscoring his growing momentum in the title fight. Mewse’s day began strongly with a second-place qualifying result on the technical Cornish circuit, close to his home in Shepton Mallet. Despite a slight wobble at the start of the first race, where he briefly dropped to third, he quickly regained control and pulled away to win by an impressive 18 seconds, setting the fastest lap by a significant margin. In the second race, after losing his initial lead, Mewse methodically worked his way through the field, overtaking race leader Watson with a decisive move before extending his advantage to nearly nine seconds. His consistent pace and tactical riding were pivotal in securing his first double victory of the season. Reflecting on his success, Mewse described the day as a “big weight off my shoulders,” highlighting the significance of reclaiming the championship lead and the confidence boost it provides. He praised the track preparation, noting the contrast to earlier rounds held on sand, and emphasised the competitive nature of the championship, with himself, Watson, and Oliver all riding strongly. Mewse remains focused on maintaining his form and sees this breakthrough as the start of a promising run in the title race. In contrast, Mewse’s teammate Jamie Carpenter faced a challenging day as he continues to recover from recent injuries. Struggling with bike set-up on the hard-pack surface, Carpenter was unable to find his usual speed, finishing 13th and 11th in the two motos respectively. Despite his disappointment, he remains optimistic about resolving the technical issues ahead of the next round. Meanwhile, in the MX2 class, young rider Charlie Richmond impressed with consistent seventh-place finishes, demonstrating adaptability and potential as he continues to develop on the Honda CRF250R. Team manager Ryan Thorpe expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, particularly praising Mewse’s dominant display and the effective bike set-up that contributed to his success. Thorpe acknowledged the challenges faced by Carpenter but remains confident in his recovery and future prospects. With the championship battle intensifying, the Crendon Tru7 Honda team looks well-positioned as the season progresses.