British fans will have a genuine MX2 podium contender to get behind at this weekend’s ninth round of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship – the MXGP of GB – at Matterley Basin in Hampshire.

Currently sitting fourth in the title chase, Ben Watson (Kemea Yamaha) has already been on the podium once this season and has also narrowly missed it on a couple of occasions. It’s a big ask but the man from Nottingham – who turns 21 just a few days later – is in the form of his life.

Of course, he’ll have to contend with series leader and defending champion Pauls Jonass (Red Bull KTM) and his teenaged team-mate Jorge Prado who have dominated this year’s championship. Jonass currently leads the flyweight Spaniard by 22 points but there’s nothing in it in terms of pace and given that the Latvian out-scored Prado by 31 points at the opening round in Argentina it’s clear the younger man is a serious threat.

Watson will also have to beat Thomas Kjer Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) who’s third in points and the only man to have taken an overall away from Jonass and Prado so far this year.

The tall Dane had a tough day at the office last time out in Germany which allowed the Brit to take 14 points out of his advantage but both were beaten by South African Calvin Vlaanderen (Team HRC) who picked up his first podium of the season with a three-three scorecard.

There’s some real talent in depth in the class this year. The Red Bull KTM pairing obviously has the upper hand at the moment but Aussie Jed Beaton (F&H Kawasaki), Belgian school kid Jago Geerts (Kemea Yamaha) and Germany’s Henry Jacobi (STC Husqvarna) have all showed great speed.

Having a much tougher time on the international stage than he is in the MX2 class of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship which he currently leads, Conrad Mewse (Hitachi ASA KTM UK) started the season in great form and was fifth after the first three rounds. He’s since lost his mojo and has slid down to 13th in the table but he could turn that around at any time.

There’s also a question mark hanging over Adam Sterry (F&H Kawasaki) who injured his ankle at a round of the Dutch Masters in early May. The Welshman has since missed both Latvia and Germany but he’s on the entry list and hopefully will be fit enough to race.

The MX2 action gets under way at 4.15pm on Saturday with the qualifying race.