Scott Beaumont won the HSBC UK | National 4X Championship for a seventh successive year while Natasha Bradley added the women’s title to her ever-growing collection in Falmouth.
Beaumont was dominant all day winning all of his qualifying races and setting the fastest time in the timed seeding runs early in the afternoon, with these efforts determining positions in the quarter-finals.
Sensing the crowd were rooting for a new recipient of the champion’s jersey, Beaumont couldn't help feeling under tremendous pressure but this only increased his determination and the desire to do himself justice.
“Any one of the field could’ve won, it was such a strong race, there are some really good riders out there,” he said.
The Elite Men’s A Final was another full throttle race with Beaumont taking the initiative into the first corner, while Connor Hudson and Duncan Ferris scraped and battled in a personal dual for second position.
That allowed Beaumont to put some daylight between him and them whilst David Roberts brought up the rear after being forced wide into the first corners and never regained ground.
Beaumont pulled away. eventually winning by just over two seconds from Ferris in second and Hudson in third.
He added: “I’m so stoked to have won my ninth national title. I absolutely love 4X and live for this sport. I’m looking forward to wearing the British champion’s jersey with pride.”
Meanwhile, Natasha Bradley added the national women’s title to her second place in the World Championships.
It proved deserved recognition for her talents and consistent top-level performances, with local favourite Tyde D’Souza second while third place went to Megan Wherry.
But it was Bradley’s domination that proved the most impressive feat of the day, winning by around four bike lengths and finishing some five seconds ahead of her other podium placers.
“It feels great, it’s always nice to win the British Championships,” said Bradley.
“Everything went to plan today, the final worked out perfectly. I got the lead early and although Tyde made an attack on the second turn I managed to hold her off and ride away.”
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