The British championship-winning Crendon Tru7 Honda team is back for 2027 with a revamped rider line-up to form a strengthened assault on the MX2 class as well as continued support for the flagship MX1 series.
The all-new 2027 Honda CRF450R will be campaigned by 27-year-old Jamie Carpenter who stays with the team, alongside 18-year-old Charlie Richmond who returns on the new-look CRF250R. Both will contest the ACU British championship and the Plews Masters series. And joining the team is 21-year-old Joe Brookes, whose main focus will be on the British MX2 championship but will switch to the new 450 for the Plews series. Both Brookes and Richmond will contest selected MX2 world championship rounds with full support from the team which starts its 18th consecutive season as Honda UK’s official British motocross squad.
The team, run by team principal Dave Thorpe – Britain’s most successful motocross racer and a three-time 500cc world champion with Honda – plus team manager Ryan Thorpe, have just taken delivery of the new 2027 CRF machinery and will start development and testing immediately.
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For team rookie Brookes, he is already accustomed to the CRF250R after swapping from another brand to the CRF midway through the 2025 season. He chose to move to a Honda that was prepared by the Crendon Tru7 Honda team, so is already in tune with the bike. He ended the 2026 season on a high, winning the final round of the British MX2 championship on his way to fifth in the series after missing a round. He also contested several European EMX250 rounds and finished second overall in the Portuguese and Swedish rounds.
Shropshire-based Brookes said: “When I first tried the Honda last year, I was so impressed with the bike. The way it handles, the speed of it and I got on with it really well. Obviously going to Honda halfway through a year is not ideal as I didn’t have much time to prepare and properly test suspension and other things.
“But despite jumping straight into the deep end, I got good results at the back end of the year which was really impressive. So when I got a chance to join the Crendon Tryu7 team, it was an immediate yes. To be on a great team and get help from Dave, Ryan and all the guys in the workshop here, it’s unbelievable.
“I’ve not ridden any of the new bikes yet. But I’ve been riding 450 a bit for training which is good physical fitness for me.
“The plan is to give these guys a British Championship title in the 250 class. Hopefully I can stay more consistent next year and get some good results, get good starts and just focus on winning it. And do my best in the Plews championship on a 450. I will also do as many GPs in MX2 as I can do. I want to keep my name in the European paddock as well and try to get the best results I can in Europe.”
He joins teenager Richmond who made his adult pro debut for the team in 2026 – his first season on a four-stroke. Richmond’s best result was a stunning second overall in the British championship at Monster Mountain and he is aiming for regular podiums and to battle at the front of the pack in 2027.
He said: “At the start of the season I was expecting to be around the top 15 – that was my goal. But I had a really good first round and had a really good season. I got my first podium in my rookie season. I was around the top ten every race. And being up the front in my rookie season was a good confidence boost for next year as well.
“When I look back on it I know what I need to work on and improve on. But I’m still learning every time I race. I want to fight for the title in the British in 2027 and be at the sharp end, with podiums and race wins.”
Flying the flag in the MX1 series is Carpenter who is looking to shake off injury issues from the past few seasons and finally score a podium finish in the flagship class. He said: “In 2025, my first year with the Crendon Tru7 Honda team. I was running fourth in the British Championship, then badly injured my knee so had surgery and six months off the bike. So in 2026 I really just wanted to finish every race and deal with it the best I could, bearing in mind some of the pain I was dealing with and limited bike time.
“As soon as the season finished, I had to get a procedure done on each knee. I’ve already had one a couple of weeks ago, then my other one I have next week. So I’ve got time to recover as best as possible going into next year.
“My plan is to get healthy and get back to a good level, and the podium is still the goal. I know I’ve got the speed and consistency.
“I’m also one of the few riders to have ridden the 2027 Honda CRF450R and I know it’s an amazing machine and a step forward from the 2026 bike which was already fantastic anyway. I can’t wait to get on the new bike and get racing again.”
Team manager Ryan Thorpe said: “It’ll be a different season with just one rider in MX1 and two in MX2, but it’s something the whole team is looking forward to. Charlie had a great rookie season in MX2 and has grown in experience and speed. His podium result showed what he is capable of and we all know he can be battling for podiums.
“Sometimes it can be a little tricky when a new rider joins the team, but with Joe we already worked with him in 2026 and built a bike he really liked – and the results proved it, especially the overall victory in the last round of the series. He’s a great rider and totally dedicated, so we will have a very strong team in the MX2 series.
“For Jamie, he’s had it tough with injuries and riding through the pain and he showed immense determination to keep going. Hopefully he’ll be fully fit in 2027 and we know he can be back battling for podium places, especially on the new bike.”
Team principal Dave Thorpe said: “I’m really excited about what we’ve put together for 2027. We’ve got a great mix of youth, talent and experience, and I genuinely believe we have a team capable of challenging right at the front in both classes.
“Joe is a fantastic addition and has already shown what he can do on a Honda, while Charlie made huge progress in his rookie season and has all the potential to take another big step forward. With two young, hungry riders in MX2, we’re determined to put Honda back at the very top of the championship.
“Jamie has shown incredible commitment through some difficult times with injuries, and he deserves the chance to show what he can really do when he’s fully fit. We know he has the speed to run at the front in MX1.
“With the new 2027 Honda machinery, the continued backing of Honda UK and our loyal sponsors and technical partners, we’ve got everything in place for another exciting season. This will be our 18th consecutive year as Honda’s official British motocross team, which is something we’re immensely proud of. But we’re not here to make up the numbers. We want to win races and fight for championships.”
Words and Images by Crendon Tru7 Honda
