Everyone in the UK knows that Conrad Mewse has GP level talent but he reminded the world in Lyng with a blistering headline grabbing race win against Jeffrey Herlings. Yes, he hasn’t been able to show it on a consistent basis at the highest level but people may have forgotten Mewse still finished eighth on a non-factory team in 2020 in MX2 just behind Roan Van de Moosdijk and ahead of current HRC Honda man, Ruben Fernandez. That’s not too shabby!
For those who erroneously wrote Mewse off as a talent since he left the GP paddock, that win against Herlings and the lap times in both races show the level Mewse can really rider at when he is on his game. The elite talent is still there and he is showing the speed on a 450 against the best – even his times in MXoN timed practice were very competitive last year until issues in the races.
Three time world champ Dave Thorpe said of his battle with Herlings in race one: “You couldn’t ask any from Conrad, he was very impressive and I’m over the moon. In that first race he had Jeffrey right behind him but he didn’t crumble and kept to his lines. I couldn’t fault him at all.”
While Mewse said: “It was a really good day in the championship for me with 1-2 finishes. I got a really good start in the first one and managed to hold Herlings off for the whole race. On the last lap I heard him coming but I was trying so hard to keep my cool and focus on my riding as I knew the only way he could pass me was if I made a mistake. And the track was tough and so difficult to pass on. In the second race I got an even better start but I got excited and sat up a bit early, and the bike wheelied a bit. All my fault really. But second to Jeffrey is a great way to start the series.”
Mewse isn’t long back from injury either and, right now, looks a level above his competition at British level and that includes the very capable Josh Gilbert who has shown his ability in the UK, GP and AMA championships. Although Josh himself is on his way back from injury so expect him to improve as well.
Unless you live under a rock, there is no doubting his ability to ride a bike fast, and there is no doubt Mewse should be in MXGP. He surely deserves the chance to prove himself again now that he is older with more experience. Mewse could even be the perfect fill-in guy for the likes of HRC Honda, if a deal can be negotiated around his British commitments with Dave Thorpes UK Honda team. You don’t often have the option of a rider with such raw talent not already in the GP paddock.
Hopefully if not this year, we can see Conrad Mewse back in the MXGP paddock in 2025. Mewse is showing he deserves another shot at the highest level and IF he can transfer the UK speed to the GP tracks he will be a great addition to the series.
Speaking in Tommy Searle’s vlog, Herlings said of Mewse: “He rode really good, if this guy rode like today in Europe at a GP, I’m pretty sure he would finish 5/6/7. Once he gets out this country he loses a bit of speed it seems like but he was really good.”
We saw Valentin Guillod take a couple of years away and come back to a high level in MXGP, Conrad can do the same. It’s worth a shot.
