Futures Friday: British Motocross Rider Updates!
In our weekly look at where people are for next year, we had news of a small team looking to take a jump up the standings, and possible info on a major player’s movements for 2024.
Words: Ben Rumbold, Featured Image: Ultimate Wheels TPC SAS KTM
Always great to see a local team with huge aspirations, the Gloucestershire boys from Ultimate Wheels have now confirmed a switch from Honda to KTM and have picked up a top ten runner in MX1, the 2022 MX Nationals MX2 Champion Jamie Carpenter. The team have announced local rider Josh Lansbury for the Youth 250 class, but have teased on the socials that an MX2 rider, possibly a Dutch one, will be announced soon. We wish them all the best as the team puts a lot of effort in. Great to see JC184 find a nice home after the shocking closure of Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha as well.
Another casualty of that team’s disappearance is their multiple MX Nationals Champion Harri Kullas. The news came through this week that Harri is to take on Conrad & Tommy in the upcoming Arenacross tour, something he was unable to do this year due to the late arrival of the new 2023 Yamaha models and the parts required for racing. He is getting support from Mark Chamberlain and his company Armor Vision, but no other details, including bike manufacturer, have been announced as yet. We keep our fingers crossed.
Still silent are SC Sporthomes Husqvarna, although we have heard that they are racing for certain, and ASA United GASGAS. Whether or not Revo’s involvement with the Austrian flavour of red has affected the situation at ASA, we do not know. Chambers Racing also ran those bikes but with no direct support, and it’s likely that they are still sorting those machines as there has been no announcement from them on 2024.
Looking at who is left unannounced so far, Tom Grimshaw (confirmed as leaving Chambers), Tristan Purdon (who has confirmed to us that he will stay in the UK for 2024), John Adamson (definitely leaving ASA United), and Evgeny Bobryshev, there is still plenty of unresolved situations to keep our eyes out for.
Rumours are that Isak Gifting, reigning MX2 Champion but aged out of MX2 GPs, could be making a move down under. Bobby Bruce is also a major player still to be unannounced, as is former Youth Champion Charlie Heyman and former AMCA Champion Jamie Wainwright. Dylan Walsh has been confirmed as riding for Host Grindstone Kawasaki in the AMA 250cc West Supercross series, but nothing for outdoors either there or here has been mentioned.
Here’s how it stands as of the 10th of November!
MX1:
1. Conrad Mewse – Confirmed as staying with Crendon Fastrack Honda.
2. Josh Gilbert – Confirmed with Gabriel SS24 KTM
3. Harri Kullas – Unannounced, Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha closing down. Racing Arenacross with help from Mark Chamberlain, maybe outdoors too?
4. Tristan Purdon – Unannounced, out of Gabriel SS24 KTM
5. John Adamson – ran a PW Racing KTM for winter, 2024 Unannounced.
6. Evgeny Bobryshev – Unannounced, possibly staying with SC Sporthomes Husqvarna?
7. Jamie Carpenter – Confirmed as moving to Ultimate Wheels TPC SAS KTM (formerly Ultimate Wheels Thunder Road Honda).
8. Brad Todd – Confirmed as staying on a private Honda with support from Apico and Bikesport Honda, but looking for more sponsors!
9. Tom Grimshaw – leaving Chambers Racing, destination unannounced.
10. Tommy Searle – Confirmed with Dirt Store Kawasaki in MX1.
11. Liam Knight – Unannounced, possibly staying with Gabriel KTM?
12. Ashton Dickinson – Unannounced, possibly staying with TALK Templant KTM?
13. Ivo Monticelli – Unannounced, probably leaving the UK.
14. Martin Barr – Apico Husqvarna squad has announced that it will be rebooted, unsure if Marty will still be onboard.
15. Shaun Simpson – Confirmed as staying with Gabriel SS24 KTM but as Team Manager only
16. Stuart Edmonds – Unannounced, possibly staying on a private Honda with S Briggs Commercials?
17. Jason Meara – Confirmed as staying with Moto-Cycle GASGAS.
18. Dan Thornhill – Confirmed as staying with Chambers Racing.
19. Miro Sihvonen – Unannounced, but likely to be moving away from British racing.
20. Callum Green – Confirmed as moving from TRU7 Honda to Crendon Fastrack Honda.
NEW ARRIVAL – Brian Bogers – Confirmed with Revo GASGAS Racing in the British Champs & MXGP.
MX2:
1. Isak Gifting – Moving to a 450 for MXGP, uncertain if staying in the UK. Rumours of a move to Australia.
2. Taylor Hammal – Confirmed as moving to TRU7 Honda Racing Academy in MX2
3. Elliott Banks-Browne – Confirmed as staying in MX2 with SC Sporthomes Husqvarna.
4. Bobby Bruce – Unannounced but confirmed as leaving ASA United GASGAS
5. Jamie Wainwright – Unannounced, possibly staying with his own family-backed KTM team?
6. Carlton Husband – Confirmed as staying in MX2 with Phoenix Tools Even Strokes Kawasaki.
7. Charlie Heyman – leaving TRU7 Honda, destination unannounced.
8. Sam Nunn – Confirmed as leaving Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha for Chambers Racing.
9. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku – Confirmed as leaving SC Sporthomes Husqvarna for AMA racing.
10. Charlie Cole – Confirmed as staying in MX2, moving from Blades Bikes to Phoenix Tools Even Strokes Kawasaki.
11. Ben Mustoe – Unannounced, possibly staying with ASA United GASGAS?
12. Joel Rizzi – Confirmed with Dirt Store Kawasaki.
13. Jack Chambers – Unannounced, possibly staying with Big Van World MTX Kawasaki, maybe full-time in British Champs?
14. Mel Pocock – Confirmed with Dirt Store Kawasaki.
15. Glenn McCormick – Unannounced, possibly staying with Chambers Racing?
16. Jake Millward – Unannounced, possibly staying with Verde Shiloh KTM?
17. Ben Franklin – Unannounced, possibly staying with Chambers Racing?
18. Bailey Johnston – Unannounced, possibly staying with Verde Shiloh KTM?
19. Joe Brookes – Confirmed on private KTM with support from Nationwide Signs Ltd..
20. Tommy Searle – see MX1!
21. James Barker – Unannounced, same situation as Joe Brookes.
22. Alfie Jones – Confirmed as staying with Chambers Racing.
23. Dylan Walsh – Confirmed in AMA Supercross with Host Grindstone Kawasaki. No news on any UK plans.
NEW ARRIVAL – Ethan Lane – Confirmed with Revo GASGAS Racing in British Champs & MX2 GPs
NEW ARRIVAL – Billy Askew – Confirmed with Revo GASGAS Racing in British Champs & EMX250
NEW ARRIVAL – Cas Valk – Confirmed with Gabriel SS24 KTM in British Champs & EMX250
BACK FROM INJURY – Ollie Colmer – Confirmed with K-Tech Aristocars KTM.
