Freia Challis took back-to-back wins in the third and fourth rounds of the National BMX Series in Cyclopark, Kent, while Jos Marnham and Eddie Moore battled the wind for the superclass titles.
Round 3
In the men's superclass final, Jos Marnham (Birmingham BMX Club) had a great start out the gate and was able to get past Eddie Moore (Crucial BMX) down the first straight. Despite a late charge from Moore, Marnham was able pinch the win in a photo finish as both riders were bar to bar over the finish line. Charlie Roy (Moto1 365 race team) finished third to make it his best result in the superclass category.
The championship women class saw Freia Challis (Absolute BMX) in a dominant mood with Beth Shriever missing this round due to the upcoming World Cup race in the United States. Challis showed her sprinting prowess, winning all four moto's and posting some blisteringly fast lap times. Elsa Rendall-Todd (Staystrong) was just behind in second place and Lucy Simpson (Prostart BMX) celebrated her 16th birthday in style with a well-deserved third place.
In the junior open category, Pure Bicycles rider Jared Hill was quickest out the gate and going into the first berm, before Danny Jake Monforte (Peckham BMX) executed a perfectly timed pass up the inside of Hill to take a very impressive win. Miller Hughes (Club Cyclopark) finished second as Hill rounded off the podium in third.
Monforte said:
“I started racing today with some decent laps in my moto's, getting through the whole pro set and making moves and got a good pick for the final. In the final, I had a decent start which gave me a good line for the corner but was in second place and as I got into the corner, I saw a move could be made and I took it and it stuck! It felt crazy leading the pack through the pro set and when I crossed the line it felt unreal.
“It has been great to race at Cyclopark as the atmosphere is always good and the crowds always loud which hypes the racing up. Now, I’m just really looking forward to my next race at the European championships in Verona.”
Round 4
The superclass final on Sunday was held in very tricky conditions due to a strong crosswind which intensified as the day went on. Moore powered out to lead from start to finish, despite some pressure from Matthew Hutt (Concept Meybo UK) who attempted to pass in the berms but was unable to get through. A late charge from Marnham was enough to grab second place behind Moore, with Hutt finishing in third.
Moore said:
"It’s been a windy day here in Cyclopark so I’m happy to put together my best lap of the weekend in the final on Sunday. It's always good fun to ride the track!”
Challis yet again took another four wins in the championship women category to make it a perfect weekend. Rendall-Todd took another second place finish, with Ava Brown (Hardknox Byke Coaching) making a welcome return to BMX racing to finish in third place.
Speaking after her back-to-back wins, Challis said:
“Racing this weekend has been amazing, riding with friends on the track and supporting from the side lines. I’m happy with my laps and the wind added an extra challenge but all in all, I enjoyed every lap. I’m so happy to take the win both days, and it’s given me a positive mindset leading into the world championships and European championships.”
In the junior open final, Xander Mavolwane Wright (Peckham BMX) had a great start from the gate and led going into the first berm. Hughes was yet again in pursuit of the leader but had to settle for another second place finish with Ned Penny (Absolute BMX) finishing in an impressive third place despite being injured from a crash during practice on Friday.
Mavolwane Wright said:
“I started off the day ready to improve on the mistakes I made on the Saturday. I managed to find my rhythm after the first moto and focused on keeping things the same after that. Racing in Cyclopark has been a great learning experience. Riding with more experienced people has helped me improve a lot and now I am focusing on the world championships in a few weeks and hoping to come back with a title – fingers crossed!”
The next round will take place in Glasgow over the weekend of 8-9 June.
