2020 British Championship: Our Predictions

Andy McKinstry: The British Championship gets underway at Little Silver this weekend in about the only big event to survive the Coronavirus outbreak this weekend and not be postponed. The MX1 class is looking really stacked, it’s certainly the deepest it’s been in a number of years. When it comes to the championship, I see it being a battle between Tommy Searle and Shaun Simpson. With this weekend effectively being Tommy Searle’s first race of the year after not racing at Hawkstone or Matterley Basin he might be a little race rusty so I’m backing Simpson to win this weekend who’s been in good form in MXGP. With Searle being on the Buildbase Honda, it could be the perfect combo and I’m backing him for the championship.

There are riders capable of winning races such as Brent van Doninck, Evgeny Bobryshev, Martin Barr, Jake Nicholls and Harri Kullas to name just a few so that should keep Simpson and Searle on their toes. I see Brent van Doninck being a great fit for the 450cc and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him finish top three in the championship if he can adjust to the tracks and competition but with most of the tracks being sandy they should suit the Belgian.

MX1 – Little Silver

1. Shaun Simpson
2. Tommy Searle
3. Brent van Doninck

MX1 – Championship

1. Tommy Searle
2. Shaun Simpson
3. Brent van Doninck

When it comes to the MX2 class in the British Championship, it’s going to be a case of how close the other riders can get to Conrad Mewse and Bas Vaessen. In the UK, Conrad Mewse uses it as preparation for the World Championship and at times looks a completely different rider on home soil – really fast! Mewse lost out on the title last year after picking up an injury but he’ll be wanting that title back this year.

Mewse’ biggest competition for the series is expected to be his team mate, Bas Vaessen who rode superbly well at Valkenswaard but a bike issue cost him a top five result in the second moto at least. In the sand, it could be close between Vaessen and Mewse but perhaps on the hard pack conditions, Mewse will have the upper hand. With both riders picking up injuries last year, they’ll be using the championship to get back up to race speed.

When it comes to challenging the Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee riders, Josh Gilbert who’s stepped up to the MX2 World Championship this year might just be the guy, racing the GP’s should only help bring him on. Buildbase have signed up Steven Clarke who is really motivated to take the British title this year so you can’t count him out. Jörgen-Matthias Talviku has a lot of talent and looks really good on the 250cc so could surprise everyone on his ASA United Husqvarna.

MX2 – Little Silver

1. Conrad Mewse
2. Bas Vaessen
3. Josh Gilbert

MX2 – Championship

1. Conrad Mewse
2. Bas Vaessen
3. Josh Gilbert

Jonathan McCready: Despite the rest of races across Europe and the US called off, the British motocross opener is going ahead! Although a likely ban on public gatherings from next week by the UK government does seem likely to make this the last big race in while for UK fans. It’s a shame too as the British MX1 championship this year is full of talent and like a mini-GP! With Searle, Simpson, Nicholls, Bobreyshev, Kullas, Barr, Van Doninck to name a few all chomping at the bit to get going and see where they stand.

For the title I find it hard to look past Shaun Simpson or Tommy Searle, both seem to love their machines right now, although with Searle having had no real racing so far, the edge might be with Simpson at round one but will all the GP events (once they get going) make the season more gruelling for Simpson who is doing everything himself? Harri Kullas is always there or thereabouts as is Evgeny Bobryshev who rode well at Valkenswaard. Jake Nicholls is fit and healthy and more than capable of going for race wins while Brent Van Doninck will be a thorn in the side of many this year, as could Martin Barr who,  if he gets a start, could well challenge in the top five too as he moves up from MX2.

MX1 Little Silver

1. Shaun Simpson
2. Tommy Searle
3. Evgeny Bobryshev

MX1 Championship

1. Tommy Searle
2. Shaun Simpson
3. Harri Kullas

For me the MX2 series is all about Conrad Mewse versus his teammate Bas Vaessen and with home advantage I see Mewse potentially coming out on top. But I do expect Josh Gilbert to be up there at times along with Steven Clarke who looks very good on the Buildbase Honda. Jörgen-Matthias Talviku could become a familiar name with British fans this season and Eddie Jay Wade and Joel Rizzi will be exicting to watch as Britain’s best young talent come into the championship – but who will be the best rookie and can either make the podium? It wouldn’t surprise if they did make the box at some stage if things go their way.

MX2 Little Silver

1. Conrad Mewse
2. Bas Vaessen
3. Josh Gilbert

MX2 Championship

1. Conrad Mewse
2. Bas Vaessen
3. Josh Gilbert

Image: Adam Duckworth