The successful partnership of Conrad Mewse and the Honda CRF450R will continue in 2024 as he is to stay with the Crendon Fastrack Honda team to contest the British championship and MX Nationals.
Despite it being his first full MX1 season, triple British MX2 champion Mewse is dominating UK motocross and is leading both the Revo ACU British championship and MX Nationals series. It is also his first time racing a Japanese motorcycle, a testament to the performance and handling of the incredible CRF450R.
The 24-year-old Mewse stays with Dave Thorpe’s squad where he has a 25-point lead over his team-mate Josh Gilbert the ACU British championship with one round remaining. Mewse also heads Gilbert in the MX Nationals.
Somerset-born Mewse has had an astonishing year in the UK. He has been on the podium at every UK national event this year and has won the last six motos of the British championship. He has also won three of the six motos in the MX Nationals, won the Red Bull Pro Stroke Nationals and has been victorious in the two Scottish championship rounds he has contested.
This season has been a standout performance in a milestone year for Honda as it is 50 years since the first CR production bike was launched. The 2023 CRF450R featured a revised chassis, engine and suspension and took Chase Sexton to his first AMA 450 Supercross title this season in the USA and Jett Lawrence is dominating the AMA outdoor motocross nationals on his CRF.
Mewse said: “I couldn’t be happier staying with the Crendon Fastrack Honda team for next season – it’s by far the best team in the paddock and the bike is just incredible.
“It’s been my first year on the Honda CRF450R and although it felt very different when I first rode it, it took less than a day to get dialled into it. We haven’t changed much since then and I love it – the turning, handling and power is incredible. The boys at the team really know what they’re doing.
“And to work with Dave Thorpe is an amazing experience. He’s one of the best riders of all time and the information and guidance he gives is something you just can’t get from other team coaches or trainers.
“We didn’t have a lot of testing last winter and we are leading the British championship, so with a full winter of testing ahead before the 2024 season I believe we’ll be even stronger.”
Team manager Dave Thorpe said: “What a season Conrad has had – he’s been truly outstanding at every British championship and MX National round. I never had any doubt he would make the transition to MX1 easily, as the Honda CRF450R is undoubtedly the No.1 bike in its class.
“His work ethic compliments the hours put in by the team – Ryan, Willy and Rob. And we are fully committed to the 2024 season, starting with the Arenacross series in January.”
Honda UK Off Road Sales Manager Graham Foster-Vigors said: “We’re all absolutely delighted to re-sign Conrad within the Crendon Fastrack Honda Racing motocross team. We always knew Conrad was a fantastic talent and to watch him grow with the team and of course the Honda CRF450R has been hugely rewarding. With the fantastic results so far this season, in the first year of his MX1 career, it’s a real testament to the work done by all parties and a great recommendation for how good the bike is.”
Mewse and his team-mate Josh Gilbert are in action on Sunday in the MX Nationals at Cusses Gorse. Further announcements about riders for the Crendon Fastrack Honda team in 2024 will be made soon.
Words: Press Release
