PLEWS TYRES BRITISH MASTERS MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP – Powered by ROCK OIL
Round 6 – Culham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Report: Chris CZORA
Images: Courtesy of REMINISCENT IMAGERY and Off Road Motorsport UK
The final round of the Plews Tyres British Masters, powered by Rock Oil sees the championship visit the second former Grand Prix venue in the calendar, as Culham hosts the traditional end of season party and champions’ weekend.
Following on from the Devon summer sizzler at Little Silver, the temperatures may have dropped, but the on-track action looks to reach fever-pitch, with all championship classes yet to be decided, and whilst some riders already have one hand on their respective title, others are much less clear cut, with in one case an incredible nine riders in the title race!
But before we talk about the season finale, a moment of reflection as the series recently announced the sad news that the much-loved John Heathcote had passed away. A stalwart of the Masters organising team, John’s involvement with the series goes back many years, and was predated with many decades of work behind the scenes with the YMSA organisation.
Even in his later years, John was an ever-present on the entrance gate, where riders and spectators always received a warm welcome. Quite the raconteur, he always had a story to tell in the paddock on a Saturday night and at the series awards nights. John will be sadly missed, and it is only hoped that the final championship round will serve as a great memorial to him.
Before the action starts on Saturday morning, a minutes’ silence will be held at 8:45am, followed by a cavalcade of bike noise and a parade lap to celebrate his memory, and all are invited at attend and celebrate the memory of a wonderful gentleman.
John Heathcote
Onto the race action, and as the riders and teams make their way to Oxfordshire eight championships are on the line as the riders look to join Conrad Mewse in the list of 2026 Masters champions, the Crendon Tru7 Honda rider having already secured the Fix Auto UK Pro title at Wroxton in June.
In Amateur MX1 things are looking healthy for Mackenzie Marshall who leads on 796 points after a consistent run of results. Following on from Josh Spinks’ title win in the Pro class in 2025, Marshall is looking to become the second rider in consecutive years to land a Masters title on the big Triumph 450. He has a 52 point lead so things are looking good for him, but you can’t discount Raife Broadley, who despite a couple of inconsistent finishes, still remains firmly in the title hunt. He took a pair of victories at Little Silver and if he can replicate that form, it could keep the pressure on Marshall.
The battle for third sees Harvey Cashmore on 650 points and Charlie Hamlet on 635, both also remain in the title race, albeit mathematically.
It’s all a bit closer in Amateur MX2, where after a topsy-turvy couple of rounds, Beau Brown now emerges as the red plate holder on 699 points, 34 points ahead of Harrison Greenough. Both riders have had mixed results in 2026, however despite having to salvage points on a borrowed bike at Little Silver, Brown was able to maintain his championship lead. Both riders have a good chance of the title, whilst you can’t write off former MX1 champion Harry Bradley, who has improved throughout the year on his YZ250 two stroke, and took a brilliant overall win at Little Silver. He’s just two points behind Greenough in third, 36 points off the leader, and if he can replicate his Little Silver form, could yet be a factor. Reigning champion Zac Stealey is also in the mix although 66 points back is more of an outsider.
If we’re talking about close title races, surely the one to watch has to be the Clubman class, where an incredible nine riders travel to Culham as potential champions, with just 64 points between them!
Hayden Stevens leads the championship on 625 points, a mere five points ahead of Frank Elwell, whilst Elliott Pugh sits in third on 580, just 45 points off the leader. Pugh heads a peloton of championship contenders, with Ryan Christian, Jack Bachelor, Richie Roberts, Kyle Briggs, Dan Chapman and Jamie Collins all separated by less than 19 points. One has to think that Saturday’s races will be crucial for the title contenders and there’s definitely no room for a bad race! The Clubman tends to be a closely fought race group anyway, so this will be one to watch!
Things are however a bit more clear cut in the 125s. Ryan Waggott returned to form at Little Silver, and heads the class on 894 points, 161 points ahead of his nearest rival Jordan Batchelor, who moves up to second in the championship. Two good motos on Saturday could see Waggott seal the title, although look out for Jordan Batchelor, who took a dramatic title win a few years ago in a dramatic last-lap shootout at Cusses Gorse, and in recent rounds has replicated his championship form.
Jack Leese has been at the sharp end of the championship all year and is third on 710 points. The title is mathematically out of reach, but he could get the silver medal although he will be hoping to get back to fitness after an extended injury lay-off.
The youth categories see all titles on the line, with the conclusion of a particularly close title race in MXY2.
It’s Wales versus Scotland in the title decider, with the Welshman Jayden Jones taking most of the moto wins this year, and winning all five championship rounds. Despite this he only has a 33 point lead in the championship, as Malachi Allen has been an excellent rival all year, has matched his rival for speed and consistency, and has been able to snatch a few wins from Jones across the season. The Scotsman has put the miles in this year, and if he can grab a couple of more wins from Jones could yet reward his perseverance with the title. Whatever happens, it’ll be a captivating watch! Marley Alder is the only other rider to win a moto this year, and although a title outsider 84 points back, could yet be a factor if the two main title rivals hit trouble.
The Big Wheel 85 class has turned into a duel between Franky Donoghue and Riley-Ray Barrow, the two have traded the red [late during the season, but two moto wins on Sunday have given Donoghue the championship lead on 731 points, a mere four points ahead of Barrow. When it’s that close, championship permutations are out the window and realistically it’s best rider over the weekend wins!
Should either of those two hit trouble, Jamie Thorpe sits a little further back on 657 points after a strong showing at Little Silver, whilst last year’s Small Wheel 85 champion Ethan Gawley cannot be discounted in fourth.
Speaking of the Small Wheels, Franky Noll took three moto wins at Little Silver to grab hold of the title race, he goes to Culham on 745 points, just 23 points ahead of Ronan Watson who followed him home last time out, yet is a strong threat and with not much of a point swing between them, the title fight could be on!
Tommy Gaddes is 46 points behind in third and could yet be a factor, whilst if any of the top guys hit trouble Harrison Chiddey and last year’s 65cc champion Forrest Roberts could yet get involved in the title race.
It’s been a busy year in the 65cc class, with the red plate being passed around like a hot potato. Roy Townley had most of the early running until a heavy crash at Wroxton set him back, and like many of the 65cc frontrunners, his inclusion in the FIM World Junior championships meant he had to miss the last round as he represented his country in the Czech Republic.
It means that Kobe Roberts becomes the latest rider to grab the red plate, he travels to Culham as the champion elect on 662 points. However second placed Deejay Llewellyn could be a real threat if his Little Silver form is anything to go by, he was unstoppable in the Devon sunshine, so it could be an intriguing battle for junior honours! Further back Olly McLean on 608 points could still be a factor whilst look out for the previous red plate holder Mason Foreman, back from European duty who is 97 points back yet could still be involved in the title race if any of the others drop points.
It looks set to be an exciting weekend as the riders battle it out for championship glory, and thanks to the new headline sponsors Plews Tyres, a great opportunity to win tyre deals and support for 2027. And that’s not only restricted to the top guys, as further back, mainstays in each of the championship classes have the opportunity to win further prizes as the promoter’s choice.
ff the track, the final round of the Masters is always a party and if you know series promoter Colin Hambridge, you know that he is skilled in throwing a shindig! This year will be no exception with the traditional disco, bar and funfair to provide entertainment well into Saturday night!
The programme follows the usual Masters format, with qualifying for all classes taking place from 9am on Saturday morning, followed by two full block of racing. Sunday’s finale sees a combined practice and first block of racing followed by the second and final block taking riders and spectators through to the mid afternoon. Admission is just £10 for the weekend, with ample parking and camping available for those who wish to make a weekend of it!
The Culham circuit is located near Abingdon near Oxfordshire, easily accessible from the A415, leading from the main A34 trunk road. Hit OX14 3DA into your sat-nav for directions to the track and follow venue signage to access the track.
Chris Czora 
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