It’s less than a week to go until some of Britain’s top riders do battle at the hotly anticipated Rhayader Evening Motocross, taking place on Wednesday, 27th May at the spectacular Cwmythig Hill circuit.
Words by Chris Czora – Images courtesy of Rhayader Motorcycle Club
Organisers are anticipating another big crowd of over 3,000 spectators, and rider entries in most classes sold out within 24 hours!
The ten race format includes three blocks of races, with classes for Pro/Expert, Clubman/Vets 35+ and Ladies/Novice, the evening being rounded off by the ‘Dash for Cash’ sprint race where some of the top names race for a big cash prize!
Once again, the headline rider is the reigning British Motocross Champion and two-time Rhayader Evening MX winner Conrad Mewse, who will be lining up on his Crendon / Tru7 Honda alongside team-mate Jamie Carpenter.
There’s potentially a bit of history to be made on Wednesday, as whilst Mewse needs a few more wins to match Brad Anderson’s record five wins at the event, he has joined Anderson and the AMCA legend Gary Davies as the only riders ever to manage back-to-back wins. No one has ever managed to win three years on the bounce, though, and Conrad could yet be the first to do it!
His task won’t be easy, though, as the relatively short races mean a good start is vital, and there are more than a few riders who will be looking to get in front!
Principally amongst them is none other than Ben Watson on his DirtStore Triumph. Britain’s most successful MXGP rider in recent years, Watson has focused predominantly on the domestic scene this year, and leads Mewse in the British Championship by just five points. The two rivals will lock horns in Mid-Wales on Wednesday, and whilst no championship points are on offer, personal pride and a fair bit of prize money will certainly stoke the competition!
Watson is far from the only rider hoping for victory, as Adam Sterry returns to Cwmythig Hill, aiming to be the first Welsh rider to win the event since Jamie Lewis back in 2010. He was second overall last year, and beat Mewse in the final moto, so the home crowd will certainly be looking to get behind him!
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Taylor Hammal was third overall last year and could be in with a shout of victory, whilst Bobby Bruce makes his debut and will be one to watch. Charlie Cole and Liam Garland are also strong names to be reckoned with, whilst another debutant in the Pros will be Jamie Keith. The breakout star from youth motocross in 2026, Keith, will be another name looking for a good result.
The local fans have their own star to root for as well. AMCA frontrunner Henry Williams from nearby Welshpool took victory in the Experts last year, and for 2026 looks to match up against the Pro stars.
Williams’ promotion means that the Expert podium finishers from last year, Dan Maule and Jonny Roderick, have a great chance to battle it out for victory in the Expert class; they could have a tough contender with Jayden Jones. The North Wales youth star has been lighting up the MXY2 class this year on his Wulfsport Suzuki, and it’ll be interesting to see how he matches up against the leading adult riders.
For those who love a crisp old two-stroke (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), look out for Jack Simcock in the Experts, who will be campaigning his immaculate CAS Honda liveried Super-Evo CR250.
The Clubman / Vets 35+ race is fully packed, with quite a few of the region’s top amateur riders savouring the opportunity to race in front of the big Cwmythig crowd.
Alfie Lewis podiumed in the Clubman last year and will be amongst the favourites, whilst Joe Sargent is one of the established names on the local Clubman scene and could spring a good result. Look out for Frank Elwell, who travels all the way from Kent for the big race. He’s been strong in the Plews Tyres British Masters this year and is capable of challenging.
Local supporters will be getting behind Tim Foreman in the Vets 35+ class, with Rhys Davies, Lee Gould and Huw Edwards featuring amongst some of the Welsh stars in the class. However, there’s a true national feel to the line-up, with Timothy Warnes travelling over from East Anglia and Bobby Ellins from the south coast putting in some big miles to line up on the gate.
The programme is completed with the Novice / Ladies class, and the Ladies feature some notable names, as Ria Truman returns to defend her title from last year. Her main challengers include two of the Welsh stars, Hannah Jones from North Wales and Mylie Evans from the valleys of Caerphilly, whilst Lauren May Collingwood, another regular in the British Ladies championship, will also be lining up and looking for a good result.
Much like the Clubman and Vets classes, the Novice class features a real mixture of riders, with local stars from the Welsh Border motocross scene being joined by plenty of South Wales riders, and a few more from much further afield.
One notable name amongst the Novice line-up is Shropshire’s Terry Challinor. The name might sound familiar to some of the older motocross fans, and the rider is the namesake and grandson of the late scrambling legend who was affectionately nicknamed ‘Top Cat’. The younger Terry has been making his own name in recent years on the local youth motocross scene, sporting the familiar Challinor yellow and black striped helmet design, and he steps up to the adult ranks at Cwmythig Hill on a KTM 125.
Once again, the meeting has been well backed by an array of companies, with principal sponsors Caerfagu Products Ltd, Bodenham Enterprise Park and Steve Rowland & Sons all helping to bring another fantastic event to Rhayader.
Cwmythig Hill is a real rider and spectator favourite, the track, having seen a recent upgrade from renowned track builders Shape N Scape, provides a natural challenge on the fast hardpack hills, mixed with some huge, spectacular jumps.
Having featured as part of the Enduro GP of Wales test, the track complements the fantastic Cwmythig Hill venue, which now surely must stand as one of the finest off-road venues in the country. Upgraded to international standard, the venue features hardpack spectating areas, with crowds having the option to either get close to the riders at the chestnut fencing or relax with a beer and watch from the paddock viewing areas, affording a good view of almost the entire track.
There will be plenty going on off the track too, with a wide range of catering and trade stalls open, a fully stocked bar with a range of beers and cider on draught, and check out the Enduro GP of Wales trade stall, where ticket deals and event merchandise will be on offer ahead of the big event in August.
Gates are open from 3pm, with the bikes taking to the track for practice from 5:30pm. The Pro/Expert class will start the action, with the gate dropping for the first of 10 races at 6:30pm. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed meeting, and keeping the music pumping in the brief periods between the motos will be international DJ and former motocross racer DJ Francis Brad. Meanwhile, your worthy scribe will be joined by Leah Yarranton on the mic to keep everyone up to date with the on-track action!
In an attempt to keep the event wallet-friendly, admission prices have been kept at last year’s prices, £10 for adults, £5 for children (4-14 yrs), with under 4s free. There is also a Family Ticket of £25, which admits two adults and two children. Tickets available at the gate, although to save time, you can also purchase online at www.rdmcc.co.uk
Cwmythig Hill is located approximately 1 mile from Rhayader, mid-Wales, on the B4528 St.Harmon road, postcode LD6 5BU. Signposted from the main A470 at Rhayader town centre. Ample free parking is available on site.
