Josh Gilbert will race a Honda CRF250R in the Motocross of Nations next week as his swansong performance for the Crendon Fastrack Honda team. The Cornishman, selected for Team GB in the event at Ernee in France, has been racing and testing the bike for his one-off MX2 class appearance alongside British champ Conrad Mewse in the MX1 class.

This season 25-year-old Gilbert returned to the Honda team that previously saw him challenge for the British MX2 title in 2018 and 2019. And in 2023 he had his best ever season on the Honda CRF450R in the MX1 British championship and MX Nationals as he was on the podium in every single national-level race he contested.

Gilbert started his year with the team in the UK Arenacross series and won a round in Scotland. And after a thrilling outdoor season he took the silver medal in both the British championship and MX National series, with race wins in both championships. He took both championships down to the final motos of the season, but was edged out by his team-mate Mewse.

Team manager, triple world 500 champ Dave Thorpe, said: “I was thrilled to sign up Josh for the Crendon Fastrack Honda team this season and it has been a pleasure to work with him and help him achieve his best ever results in the MX1 class. His speed has reached another level this season and it’s a testament to Josh’s determination and professionalism, as well as how well he gelled with the whole team. He is not only a great rider but a fantastic person to have with us.

“It is, of course, disappointing that we can’t continue together in 2024 due to the plans for the Crendon Fastrack Honda team not aligning with what Josh wants to do. But our door will always be open to him and I sincerely hope we will end up working with Josh again in future. Along with all the team, we wish him the very best.”

Josh Gilbert said: “I’d like to say a big thanks to the Honda and the whole team – Will, Ryan, Rob and Dave – for everything they’ve done for me this year. It’s been a successful year for us and I’ve enjoyed being a part of the team.”

More details of the Crendon Fastrack Honda MX1 and MX2 line-up for the 2024 season will be announced soon. Conrad Mewse has already been announced as staying with the squad next season in MX1.