Crendon Tru7 Honda’s Conrad Mewse clinched the 2025 British MX1 championship crown at the Duns double-header in Scotland, even though there is still a round remaining. He raced hard on the super-technical track and had to contend with niggling injuries from his recent crash at Monster Mountain and the wildcard appearance of five-times world champion Jeffrey Herlings.

Mewse finished second overall on both days to the Dutchman, which saw the Brit finish the racing 59 points clear of his nearest rival to secure the championship – his fifth British title. He has ten moto wins and two second places – only beaten by Herlings.

Mewse arrived at the track in no mood to take second place and gave it his all to win. But Herlings made perfect starts all weekend, meaning Mewse had to push extra hard to get close. On the first day, the crowd were given a real thrill as Mewse put pressure on his rival. In the first heat, Mewse was just 1.4 seconds behind at the flag and set the fastest lap of the race. It was the closes he got all weekend but never gave up trying, and he finished second in the final race of the first day.

Day two saw the track even deeper and severely rutted, but a less-than-perfect start in the opener saw Mewse having to fight forward while Herlings made his escape early on. In the second race Mewse had his best start of the weekend and tailed Herlings around the first corner, but his priority was to clinch the crown. Making sure he brought the Crendon Tru7 Honda safely home, 26-year-old Mewse took second which meant he clinched the British championship once more.

Mewse said: “I’m over the moon to get British title number five so I couldn’t be happier. It was a tough couple of days with two-two race finishes both days but I’ve wrapped it up a round early.

“I was trying so hard to win. On Sunday I had a go on the first few turns of the last moto but Herlings pulled the pin, showed his true speed and I had nothing for him. But I had other things on my mind. I couldn’t get near him today but hopefully he’ll race again soon and I will have some more for him next time.

“A big thanks to the Crendon Tru7 Honda racing team as they have been fantastic, as always. The team and bike were faultless once again and I’m now looking forward to taking the red plate into next season with the team again.”

In the MX2 class, Jake Nicholls started the weekend with a solid race, pulling through from ninth on lap one to seventh even though he admitted he wasn’t a huge fan of the heavily rutted track. Second time out a nasty rut caught him out and he fought hard to bring the Honda CRF250R home ninth, which gave him seventh overall.

On day two he made some setup changes and was feeling more comfortable but had some tough luck that marred his scorecard. In the first moto he took 12th but second time out he had to stop to clear mud from his eyes when his goggles were damaged. He started at the back of the pack and pulled through to 16th to secure a handful of points for 15th overall. His efforts for the weekend mean he is sixth in the championship – just two points off fifth.

Nicholls said: “It was a long weekend. The track reminded me of a GP track, and it really reminded me why I stopped racing GPs!

“On the first day my results were better but on Sunday I was riding better but my results were terrible. In the first race I was battling for seventh and another rider went into a rut and stopped right in front of me and I ran into the back of them. Thet really ruined my rhythm for the last few laps.

“In the second race the lens popped out of my goggles in the second turn and my eyes got filled in with mud. I wear contact lenses so I had to stop and get the mud out of my eyes as best I could. I tried to carry on but had to stop and takes my goggles off so it was a nightmare. I came back from last to 16th but I enjoyed myself which is what it’s all about. I’d made some changes to the bike and worked the track out but that didn’t show in my results. On to Lyng next which is a track I love and a great way to end the season.”

Team manager Ryan Thorpe said: “Winning the British championship is enormously important to Honda and the Crendon Tru7 team, and also to Conrad who takes it very seriously. So to clinch it in such great style with a round remaining is just incredible. It’s a testament to Conrad’s determination and skills, as well as bouncing back from injuries through the season, that makes him such a special rider.

“The whole team – especially the mechanics Rob, Luke and Will – have worked so hard to win the championship. And behind the scenes there are more people such as our sponsors and technical partners that make it all possible. And of course the Honda CRF450R which is such an incredible bike.

“In contrast, Jake didn’t have the greatest weekend in terms of results, with a few little problems. But he pushed hard right to the end in every moto on a track that was really tough. He never gave up and had a great time riding.”

Adam Duckworth story and image