Mewse on battling Herlings at Preston Docks

Conrad Mewse delivered an impressive performance at the British motocross championship round held at Preston Docks, Lancashire, on Easter Sunday. The British champion engaged in a thrilling battle with five-time world champion Jeffrey Herlings, both riding Hondas, in two fiercely contested races. Although Herlings managed to maintain his lead to the finish in both motos, Mewse’s relentless pursuit earned him second overall and brought him within three points of the championship leader after the second round. Mewse’s return to form was particularly notable given his limited pre-season preparation due to surgery recovery. He reflected on his progress since the opening round at Hawkstone, where he felt outpaced by his rivals. Through extensive testing and renewed confidence, he was able to ride closer to his potential, making significant overtakes and maintaining a strong pace alongside Herlings. While overtaking the Dutch star proved elusive, Mewse was pleased with his performance and optimistic about his championship prospects, especially considering that without Herlings’ wildcard entry, he would have been leading the standings. Team manager Ryan Thorpe praised Mewse’s efforts, highlighting the rider’s rapid improvement and resilience after a challenging start to the season. Thorpe also acknowledged the promising form of teammates Jamie and Charlie, noting Jamie’s encouraging return to form despite previous difficulties on the track. Meanwhile, Charlie showed strong race pace but struggled with starts, a challenge the team plans to address through targeted testing and practice in the coming weeks to enhance his competitiveness in the 250cc class. The weekend’s results underscore the growing intensity of the British motocross championship and the rising calibre of its riders. Mewse’s ability to challenge a world-class competitor like Herlings signals a potential shift in the championship dynamics as the season progresses. With further improvements expected from his team-mates, the CrendonTru7 Honda squad appears well-positioned to contend strongly in upcoming rounds.