The 2026 season got underway on the weekend in the UK for the NORA CRS Development Team with the opening round of the Cotswold Youth & AMX Club Championship at Monster Mountain. Team rider Freddie Joyner headed up the mountain with a number of other team riders for two days of riding.
Saturday was a practice day before the gates drop on the first round of the Club Championship on Sunday. After two strong moto’s Freddie bagged himself third overall for the day after the third race being cancelled due to the toughen track conditions with the good old UK weather.
Read how Freddie’s weekend went at Monster Mountain below.
I headed to Monster Mountain for a practice day Saturday and race day Sunday. I felt eager and ready to get this race season started. Saturday was damp but the track felt great, and I got the laps in and felt good on the bike.
Sunday I woke up to fog and so we were a little delayed with starting, practice went well, I had a little off but got back on and made the most of the laps in practice.
Race 1: the track was boggy and slick with light rain, but still I felt ready and confident. Straight out the gate and got the holeshot, and led the race for the first lap. 2nd place took me and I stayed as close as I could the whole race but finished the line in 2nd place. Very happy with that!
Race 2: the track was even more rough now and the rain was coming down. Gates dropped and I was 2nd round the corner, with a quick pass I took 1st place and I led for a lap. 2nd place took me again but I fought back and over took them again, leading for a second time. I made a little gap for myself but a silly mistake I took a wrong rut and dropped the bike, feeling annoyed but still determined I quickly got the bike going again, and got back on track sitting in 3rd.
With it being the last lap I crossed the finish line in 3rd. Taking 3rd overall for the day. I fought both races and that’s the man thing, I didn’t give up and had the passion!
Big thanks to Cotswolds for putting on a great weekend of riding.
Lead Image Photo Credit: Matt Lee Photography
