RIDERS from across the world will descend on Winchester this weekend as Matterley Basin plays host to the opening of the Motocross World Championship.

Known as a popular circuit within the sport, it will celebrate its 10th Grand Prix over Saturday and Sunday.

This will also be the first time in history that the championship will start at the “home of motocross” that is the United Kingdom.

The event organiser, Steve Dixon was born and has lived in the Winchester all his life. He is going into his 31st year of World Motocross Championship racing as manager alongside organising this event.

He most recently took an Australian Courtney Duncan to the Women’s World Championship last year but has many accolades including taking another local Winchester rider Max Anstie to third in the world.

The Motocross is a staple on the calendar and brings 1000s of fans each year from across Europe and even the world to the wonderful Winchester venue.

They have run the Grand Prix in 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and once again in 2020.

As thousands of fans are expected to travel to the circuit to watch the action road closures and speed restrictions have been put in place: 

  • Drivers using the A272 will be restricted to 40mph, with the limit in place until 2pm on March 2. The restriction Cheesefoot Head car park.
  • On the A31 a 40mph is in place from the Orr's Meadow layby to Percy Hobbs Roundabout on the westbound carriageway only.
  • On Sunday to egress traffic onto the M3 southbound at junction 10 the road A272 Spitfire Line from the Spitfire roundabout northbound will be closed.

The organisers have said that this will ensure that traffic does not back up along the A31.

  • The gaps on the A31 between the Percy Hobbs roundabout and the Lady Croft Farm roundabout will be closed until 10pm on Sunday.