British BMX Series sees thrilling finale at Telford

British BMX Series sees thrilling finale at Telford

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The curtain came down on the British BMX Series as the final rounds held at the Wrekin Riders BMX Club’s home track in Telford, Shropshire, saw the British champions crowned in dramatic style.

The British Cycling Academy rider Beth Shriever was on point to take the overall title in the Championship Women’s class, and got the job done on the first day of racing as she went unbeaten through the qualifiers and the final to rack up maximum points with seven wins out of 12 rounds. Charlotte Green from Crucial BMX chased Shriever down in second and Haro Bikes’ Emily Green rounded out the podium in third.

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British BMX Series rounds 11 and 12, Telford, August 7-8 2016

With the title wrapped up, day two was all about racing for racing’s sake and the women went at it regardless. Off the gate, Charlotte Green got the drop and had the holeshot into the first berm with Shriever in tow.

The pair pulled a gap on the pack and Shriever closed down on Green with only the last berm and straight to go. They drew neck and neck and Shriever went around the outside of Green, but as they went to exit the corner they collided and went down. Through the melee came GET Racing/Maxtrax’s Abbie Taylor and she went on for the win.

Taylor told us: “In the right place at the right time would sum up today's racing. I wasn't that happy with the final yesterday, getting stuck on the outside of the first turn was not what I wanted but that's racing.

“Looking back on the season Birmingham was defiantly my favourite national. I would like to thank GET racing/ Maxtrax for helping me get on the podium on quite a few occasions this season. Good luck to everyone for the Brits!”

Shriever and Green remounted and finished the race unhurt.

“That was two spectacularly different days of racing!” said Green, “Saturday brought another podium, blue skies and clean laps. Sunday was a wild windy day but didn't seem to affect too many on the track. Sunday's final was a little crazy heading into the last turn with Beth, ending with us both on the floor. That's racing! Tight and fast racing all round, all weekend. See everyone at the Brits for more racing and a little dance!”

Lastly, we spoke to National Champion Beth Shriever, and she said: “From practice on Friday I wasn't convinced with the track, but I just wanted to do the best I could and be consistent.

“Saturday went smoothly, winning every race up until my final, leaving me with first pick. I took the inside line and didn't have the best of starts, but I was on the inside and it worked in my favour and led all the way until the finish.

“Sunday, for me, was more relaxed just because I won the day before and there wasn't as much pressure on me. I won all throughout the day and got to the final again with the inside line but didn't get the start I was looking for and got shut off.

“I had to make up for lost ground and came up next to Charlotte on the third straight, we both went into the last corner with plenty of speed and neither of us were backing down and a collision caused us both to crash. Thankfully, we were lucky enough to come away uninjured! Great weekend racing, good people, good atmosphere and some good results!”

Unlike the Women’s class, the Men’s Superclass went right down to the final race of the weekend to decide the overall class winner and the racing was a spectacular climax to a great year of BMX racing.

Curtis Manaton has been on the comeback trail all year and needed solid results in the final weekend if he was to stand a chance of claiming the title with British Cycling Academy rider Quillan Isidore the only rider who could stand in his way.

In Saturday’s racing the pair had matched each other through the motos, with Manaton just edging ahead as favourite after winning the semi-final. As the gate dropped on the final, there was no mistaking Manaton as the man with a plan as he surged ahead down the first straight to control the race, Isidore came back strong through the latter half of the lap but Manaton held on to the line.

That set up a showdown for the final day’s racing that had the spectators flocking to the trackside for finals time. Manaton came out of the start like a rocket and controlled the race from the first corner. Isidore did all he could, but there was no catching Manaton who took the win and the national title.

After the race Manton was ecstatic saying: “Telford was another successful weekend for me and a great end to an enjoyable 2016 National Series.

"On day one I had a really good start and was feeling comfortable until the last straight not realising how close Quillan was coming but managed to hold on for the win. It just shows, pedal to the line and stay focused the whole lap kids!

“On day two I saw myself into the final and had probably one of my best starts of the weekend. I covered the inside on the tight first corner, staying switched on the whole lap to take the win.”

Isidore was dignified after the racing, telling us: “Two second places for me, I’m happy with that! Telford made for some close tight racing that was enjoyable, so well done to those that put the event on.

"Taking second overall in the season behind Curtis - he's been going very well this year so well done to him. Thanks to Pure Bicycles for all their support along with Daniel Sturgeon!”

There were many great individual performances across the challenge classes including Preston’s James Clitheroe in the 6 and unders, Braintree’s Freia Challis in the 7-8 girls, Peckham’s Xander Mavolwane Wright in the 8s, Taylor Hunt in the 9s, Preston’s Lily Brindle in the 9-10 girls, Knightwood’s Casey Markley in the 10s and Birmingham’s Alexander Talbott in the 11s.

Also racing well and winning were Braintree’s Seb Pantlin in the 12s, Hayes Emily Hutt in the 11-12 girls, Preston’s Keon Smith-Mcdermott in the 13s, Rhys Deans in the 15s, Blackpool’s Darren Reidy in the Vets, Derby’s Jay Bovill 9-12 cruisers, Doncaster’s Nathan Wood 15-16 cruisers, Nuneaton’s Nathan Parsons in the 30-39 cruisers, Louise Abbott in the 30+ ladies and Josie McFall in the 17-29 ladies cruiser who all won both days.

The culmination of the British Cycling BMX season will be the British Championships at Derby on the 27-28th August. We will have full coverage of the event right here.

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