Shriever and Manaton crowned as HSBC UK | BMX National Series champions

Shriever and Manaton crowned as HSBC UK | BMX National Series champions

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Bethany Shriever crowned her HSBC UK | BMX National Series title in scintillating style by taking victory in both rounds 11 and 12 in Cyclopark, Kent.

Shriever had already secured her place as Series victor even before this weekend, but the junior women’s world champion ensured her winning credentials were not to be in doubt.

Meanwhile Curtis Manaton was confirmed as the men's Superclass winner, despite not ending his season in perfect fashion in the final two rounds.

He too was already able to celebrate before this weekend, though it was Kyle Evans who took the late spoils on another exciting weekend of action on the BMX track.

Shriever's special year reaches another level

On a sun-drenched weekend, it was Shriever who underlined her recent World Championship-winning class every inch of the way.

In both rounds she took control in all her motos, taking seemingly easy wins throughout and, in both finals, eased her way with confidence into the lead, taking the race from the front and finishing a double win.

Her 700-point total gave her a comprehensive 60-point lead to add the Series title to her already impressive collection.

The real race of the weekend was taking place in earnest behind the junior world champion.

Charlotte Green, who has had an incredibly consistent season, was battling it out with newly-crowned European Junior Champion Blaine Ridge-Davis for the remaining podium spots.

With just a handful of points separating them from silver and bronze, it was Green who pulled out all the stops to secure two seconds over the weekend to take silver in the overall series by just a small margin of points, with Ridge-Davis, despite a hard battle, having to settle for third.

Shriever said: “It’s been the best season I’ve ever had, coming away with the rainbow stripes was the highlight, and if I’m completely honest I didn’t think I could do that.

“Coming here I’d pretty much finished my season and I think that took the pressure off me a little bit. I could have fun, do a little riding and see all my mates.

“To win so both races this weekend has been great.”

Manaton takes National Series crown despite Evans' perfect weekend

The shock of the weekend came from Kyle Evans, with the 2017 UEC BMX European Cup champion making a rare appearance at the HSBC UK | BMX National Series.

The Pure Bicycle rider cruised all his motos, keeping a little in the tank, during both rounds over the weekend. All guns were definitely firing on the finals though, as Evans grabbed the lead and stormed to the first bend leaving the rest of the field to pick up the pieces in his wake.

But he couldn’t stop Manaton taking the series, despite falling just short of matching Evans’ pace this weekend.

He was still to take runners-up spot in round 11, while the last saw him edged into third by Paddy Sharrock despite a late charge towards the line.

After a strong season, it was understandable that Manaton was a little disappointed with the final rounds, however his consistent year has seen him take the overall Series with a 43.5 point lead over nearest rival Kye Whyte, while Callum Strickland held off challenges by Billy Luckhurst to secure third overall.

“I’m happy to finish with the series win overall and, although I could have finished off with a couple of better results this weekend, I knew it was going to be tough with Kyle here,” said Manaton.

“But I feel I’ve been pretty consistent this year, so I’m pretty happy.

“It’s been a long season and I’m not feeling too bad overall. I find it difficult to take time off because I like training and racing, we’re athletes training and racing is what we do."

Overall Standings

Women's Championship

1. Bethany Shriever

2. Charlotte Green

3. Blaine Ridge Davis

Men's Superclass

1. Curtis Manaton

2. Kye Whyte

3. Callum Strickland

Gallery

2017 HSBC UK | National BMX Series | R11 & 12