The sixth and seventh round of the National 4X Series saw Scott Beaumont continue to dominate the 4X season taking back-to-back wins in Afan, South Wales.
A cornerstone of the British 4X Series for many years, Afan is fast, flowing and always a favourite for riders and spectators. With fun jumps, high berms, rocks, corkscrew bridges and split lines on the track, racing is always amazing.
The National 4X Series uses the moto system for qualification which means riders would race three qualifying races against different riders to qualify through to the knockout rounds.
Round 6
Whilst the younger riders went bar to bar down the course, in the elite class, there was a big decision to make - jump the Pro Line Doubles or take the slower but safer table top line. Scott ‘Boom Boom’ Beaumont went unbeaten in the motos and certainly looked in the mood for a perfect day.
Beaumont took gate one in the final, up against Ian Forsyth in two, Dan Wagstaff in three and Tom Bell in four. The gate dropped and it was Beaumont with the holeshot. In turn one, riders fought for position but it was Beaumont who carried speed and got away in the lead. Forsyth slipped into second and chased through the treacherous pro line, with Beaumont and Forsyth going for the safer table top line. Wagstaff boosted the big doubles and Bell was working hard to find a way around. Across the line though, the 4X godfather Beaumont took the win from Forsyth, Wagstaff and Bell.
The senior women saw Katie Hayes continue her run of form, taking the win from Alice Taylor, Jessica Taylor and Claire Mardell. In the men’s equivalent, James Whitby returned to 4X and certainly delivered, winning the ever competitive senior class ahead of Izak Williams, Connor Jocelyn and Ruben Masi.
The crowd favourite 17+ category saw James Moores take the win from Jamie Hayes and Martyn Stephens.
In the juveniles, the season long battle between Felyx Williams and Barnaby Tucker resumed, with Williams taking the win ahead of Tucker. Jono Harradine came in third ahead of Bradley James.
The youth category is showing massive potential for the next generation of 4X. Lucas Rose made a great start and dominated the race, leading from start to finish ahead of Dominic Hines, Zak Chapman and Harvey Gulliver.
The 10- 2 rippers final saw Corey Beecroft secure the win ahead of Jacob Marsh and Layne Goddard, while the 7-9 year olds saw Jaxon Marsh take victory, grabbing the holeshot and not looking back. Jake James and Harrison Grigg finished in second and third place.
In the masters, the hunt for the overall title is well and truly on, with David Sibley edging out Matt Hillyard and Dave Richardson on this occasion. Richard Rowland took the veteran’s win from Mick Ridgeway, David Michael and Andy Davies.
Round 7
Sunday’s round saw riders battle rain, fog and wind on the Welsh hillside. Throughout the motos, riders were able to find grip in the tricky conditions and racing continued to be fast and furious.
The elite men’s race confirmed Scott Beaumont as the best of the weekend, going unbeaten. With the same riders in the final as the day before, Beaumont out-skilled Ian Forsyth, Tom Bell, and Dan Wagstaff. The gate dropped and Bell saved his best gate of the weekend for the final, taking the holeshot into turn one. Beaumont was on his back wheel, with Wagstaff in third. In turn two, Forsyth moved into third. They were all wheel to wheel until the rocks, where each rider chose a different line. Forsyth moved into second, pushing Beaumont to third. Through the tight chicane, Beaumont bolted out wide to the berm and carried a lot of speed to the last turn. Bell protected the inside in the final turn, Forsyth went mid track and almost made the pass, but then Beaumont, from the far outside kept his speed going around the outside and rocketed past on the final straight. It was an incredible finish to the meeting, with Beaumont taking the win from Bell, Forsyth and Wagstaff.
Katie Hayes also made it a perfect weekend, taking a convincing win from Alice Taylor, Jessica Taylor and Claire Mardell in the women’s senior final. The senior men saw James Whitby continued where he left off on Saturday winning every lap again. Izak Williams added some more points towards the overall title in second, with Connor Jocelyn and Ruben Masi rounding out the top four.
In the juveniles, Felyx Williams also took back-to-back wins, finishing Sunday’s final ahead of Barnaby Tucker and Jono Harradine. Lucas Rose got the snap in the youth final and led from start to finish convincingly. Dominic Hines took second from Zak Chapman and Harvey Gulliver.
The 10 - 12 rippers saw Jacob Marsh go one better than Saturday, taking the win from Layne Goddard, Miles Boucher and Corey Beecroft. The 7-9 rippers final saw Jaxon Marsh take another win ahead Harrison Grigg and Camille Meunier.
The masters series points leader Dave Richardson was nursing an ankle injury all weekend, only managing to secure the B final win, leaving the door wide open for the final. Series veteran Alastair Keen showed his experience and took the win from Matt Hillyard, Simon Nash and Saturday’s winner, Dave Sibley in fourth. The race for the masters title will come down to the final round at Twisted Oaks and there is no favourite. Richard Rowland secured a double veteran’s win, finishing off Sunday’s final ahead of Mick Ridgeway, David Michael and Andrew Ballard.
A huge thanks to the series sponsor Schwalbe who help to make it all possible. Thank you to all the venues, riders, medics, commentators, officials, commissaires, marshals, family and friends who attend every race.
