The first round of the Plews Tyres British Masters Motocross Championship powered by Rock Oil gets underway this weekend, as the series converges at the FatCat circuit near Doncaster for the first round of the championship.
It’s a new look for the series in 2026 as the British manufacturer Plews Tyres takes over as the headline sponsor, and with it plenty of incentive for riders to perform with prized tyre support deals on offer not only for the championship winners but also across the field for ‘Promoter’s Choice’ riders in each category.
Feature Image courtesy of Ellie Jones RDS Media
It’s been a few years since the series visited FatCat, and the Yorkshire sand circuit is often one that polarises opinions amongst riders, whilst many enjoy the Flemish style sand track, for others, it’ll be a tough weekend. However, a successful championship campaign involves dealing with all types of circuits, and with a reasonably dry weather forecast in the lead up to the weekend, the circuit is expected to be in great shape!
Sunday’s headlining Fix Auto UK Pro race will see Josh Spinks return to begin his title defence aboard his unique Yamaha YZ500, if nothing else the opportunity to hear a 500 two stroke tearing through the deep sand will be worth the admission fee! Spinks, however, faces a strong line-up of Pro class riders who are expected to be in action, the most notable being Conrad Mewse, who, despite his high standards, had a difficult weekend at the recent British Championships at Hawkstone Park, will be looking for victory in the sand. Joining him under the Crendon Tru7 Honda awning will be the team’s new star and reigning Masters 125cc champion Charlie Richmond, who moves to the Honda CRF250 for 2026. Having enjoyed a stellar 2025, the Berkshire youngster has earmarked himself amongst British motocross enthusiasts as one to watch this season.
The Phoenix Tools Fantic squad will be out in full force, with Josh Vail and two-stroke warrior John Adamson joined by the team’s MX1 star Carlton Husband, who, after a tough end to the 2025 Masters season, will be hoping for a good start to his title challenge.
Young star Jamie Keith is lining up and looking for a strong season after an injury-ravaged 2025 season. He looked great at last season’s Foxhill finale on his 250F debut, and after a sensational British Championship moto win at Hawkstone Park recently, will hope to continue his sand spectacle! Other notables include last year’s runner-up and local star Tyla Hooley, with Jamie Carpenter, Lewis Hall, Howard Wainwright and Cornish flyer Louie Kessell amongst some of the series regulars in action.
READ MORE: 2026 BRITISH MASTERS MX ROUND 1 – ENTRY LISTS
The Pro action serves to headline an action-packed weekend, with most classes in the accompanying Youth and Amateur classes boasting packed line-ups.
The Amateur MX1 class looks to be hotly fought with some notable riders moving from MX2, including Callum Murfitt, Josh Bassett and Mackenzie Marshall, who impressed as a wildcard last season. They’ll be joined by some of the MX1 mainstays, including Charlie Hamlet, Dan Maule, Aaron Patstone and Josh Greedy, all of whom will be looking for a strong start at FatCat.
Amateur MX2 is equally impressive, reigning champion Zac Stealey returns to defend his title, yet faces stiff opposition with top names including Harrison Greenough, Aaron and Leon Ongley and former MXY2 champion Beau Brown, all being joined by some promising youngsters from the youth ranks. Ollie Bubb impressed last year en-route to the MXY2 title and he will surely be a title favourite, he’s accompanied by another MXY2 frontrunner from last year in Lewis Proud. Zane Stephens makes the full step to the adult ranks along with former youth champion Will Haddock, former MX1 champion Harry Bradley returns to the series in the MX2 ranks on a YZ250 two-stroke. With such a strong lineup, this looks set to be a particularly close and exciting class to watch, both over the weekend and across the season!
Speaking of close racing action, the Clubman class always carries good strength in depth, and it’s often difficult to predict the winner! Elliott Pugh looked unstoppable early in 2025 until a mid-season knee injury ended his season early. He’s back and hoping to stamp his authority in 2026. Ryan Christian emerged as a contender last year and will be one to watch, with former champion Richie Roberts, Colin McLuckie and Mitchel Collins amongst a host of series regulars capable of a good result.
The 125cc class sees the 1-2 from last year, Charlie Richmond and Matt Bayliss, not in the lineup, leaving the class open and ready for a new star to emerge. Who will it be? Ryan Waggott looked great last season and could well be amongst the favourites, Jack Leese continues to improve, whilst last year’s Big Wheel 85cc champion Archie Stapley makes the step up and will be looking to add to his title success. Another notable rider to watch is Robbie Daly, who has long been regarded as a rising star in British motocross. He had a write-off 2025 after a femur break at the Culham opener. Now fully fit and raring to go, rest assured he will be looking to make amends this year! Meanwhile, one of the fan favourites, Neville Bradshaw, is in the 125cc line-up as a wildcard and is always capable of a good result.
MXY2 sees the frontrunners from last year make the move to adult motocross, so much like the 125 class it leaves a vacancy for a new champion. Perhaps one to look out for could be Rhys Whyment, who took a moto win last year and was starting to emerge as a strong contender towards the end of the season. Conor McGrath finished strongly last year and could be a rider to look out for, with Jack Brearey and Finley Easton also amongst riders looking for a strong result.
READ MORE: BRITISH MOTOCROSS NEWS
The Big Wheel 85cc championship was a classic in 2025. Will the vintage of 2026 fare as well? Teddy Merriman was a rider always in the mix last year, and his experience will hopefully put him in good stead. It’s not going to be easy, though, as one particular name lining up will be Alfie Cotter. Perhaps unlucky to miss out on the 65cc title last year with injury, he makes the rare jump up from the 65s right up to the Big Wheels. It’s a tough task, but Cotter will be expected to make his mark. Ethan Gawley makes the more conventional step from the Small Wheel 85s, and like Cotter, will mean business. Elsewhere, Corey Brookes is amongst a host of club-level riders looking to test their skills and make the tough step to national competition.
In the Small Wheel 85cc class, it’s a new start for last year’s 65cc champion Forrest Roberts, who makes the step up to the 85 ranks, joining a whole group of young guns to look out for, with Harrison Chiddey, Charlie Farmer, Frankie Noll, Ronan Watson and Talen Hodgson amongst riders hoping for strong start, Bradley Thompson is amongst the Northern Ireland contingent who might do well at FatCat, reminiscent of some of the home circuits.
The 65cc class is wide open with plenty of newcomers joining the series. Blake Marks-Bracey has last year’s experience to draw from, consistent improvement throughout the year, and being recognised by becoming a Plews Tyres-supported rider for 2026. Cohen Llewellyn is amongst quite a few Auto stars making the move to 65cc action, whilst Harry Stealey will continue the family tradition as he makes his class debut.
Action starts from 9am on Saturday with Youth and Amateur class qualifying, followed by two blocks of racing throughout the afternoon. They’ll be joined by the Fix Auto UK Pro class on Sunday, who start their Practice and Qualifying at 9am, followed by a busy day of race action with the Pro race motos, accompanied by the final two motos of the weekend for all riders.
Weekend admission is just £10 for adults, £5 for children, and camping passes are also available at £10 per vehicle. FatCat is located at Armthorpe, Doncaster, just off Junction 4 of the M18 motorway (satnav postcode DN3 3EH). It’s a chance to see some of the top British pros in action, along with some of the leading youth and amateur stars, all for little more than the cost of a panini and coffee, so why not pop along for some early-season sand surfing!
