Champ Conrad Mewse took a decisive double win in the opening Fastest 40 round with his Crendon Tru7 Honda team-mate Taylor Hammal on the podium in third in his first major championship race on a 450.
Celebrating his 24th birthday at the event on Saturday, Hammal topped the free practice and qualifying sessions from Mewse, who was to celebrate turning 25 the very next day!
But Mewse proved he’s still the man to beat right from the off. He got a great start then quickly moved his Honda CRF450R into the lead on the first lap, pulling away from the pack to stretch out a huge win from Tristan Purdon and Jason Meara.
For Hammal, it was a nightmare first lap as he gated third, but went down twice and remounted, lucky there was no damage to his CRF450R. By the end of the opening lap he was up to 15th then had a gritty ride through the field to take fifth at the flag.
In the second race Purdon led and it only took Mewse a couple of laps to get by. He then rode his own race and pulled away for an unchallenged win.
This time Hammal made a better start, starting fourth then completing the first lap unscathed in third place. Once his team-mate Mewse moved into the lead, Hammal reeled in Purdon then made the decisive move on lap six to take second. Purdon took second overall on the day from Hammal.
It was disappointment for Crendon Tru7 Honda rider Callum Green, who took 16th then 15th place finishes for 15th overall. He was hindered by a mass crash in the first turn of the opener which he narrowly avoided, then fell on the second lap.
