The British BMX Series headed north again for rounds nine and ten, this time to Blackpool for the first time in the clubs history. The club had gone all-out to bring the riders the best-groomed facility and the atmosphere around it was electric.
The British Cycling Academy riders were in the thick of the action in the Championship classes and took to the podiums all weekend.
In the women’s class, Beth Shriever was firing on all cylinders as she went unbeaten through to the main event both days. As the gate dropped on day one’s final, Shriever took the holeshot and powered away from the chasing pack to a dominant win on the 398m track. Charlotte Green from Crucial BMX took second and Abbie Taylor cruised her way into third.
On the second day of racing it was Green who had the best gate in the final with a narrow lead into the first jump. As the riders bunched, Shriever came unclipped from her pedals and crashed out causing the field splinter. Green was away though, and pulled a comfortable gap on Taylor in second and Haro’s Emily Green in third.
Gallery
After the final Charlotte said: “A good weekend was had by all! It was great to be able to race on something so different and I felt comfortable on the track. Everyone should feel a little fitter after that mega weekend! Making podiums is always a bonus. Hope all the fallen and wounded get well soon as I know there were a few nasty ones!”
Shriever took a while to remount, but finished her race and said: “Saturday was a great day riding and hanging out with the team. I was a little unsure on the track but came to grips with it.
“Winning my motos and semi left me confident for the final, I had a great snap, moved to the inside and lead to the finish. Also seeing my brother Luke win his age group and Noah getting third made it all the better.
“Sunday, didn't turn out as good as Saturday. I ended up crashing out on the first straight in the final, thankfully I was able to walk away uninjured. A plus side from Sunday was that I was the only girl to jump the pro section throughout my races! I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend, just a shame to finish with a crash. Bring on Telford!”
The men’s Superclass was jam-packed full of action, as the best riders in the country were whittled down to the final eight on the gate.
In day one’s final, Academy athlete Quillan Isidore lined up in gate one with the favourite on points Curtis Manaton in gate three. As the start sequence begun, Isidore seemed to lose balance and came unclipped as the gate dropped seeing him stone last. Manaton however, got a great start and led from the off in a fine display of technical ability with Haro’s Callum Strickland back on good form in second.
Meanwhile, Isidore showed his true class as he fought his way through the pack to claim a fine third place finish.
With the wind and rain coming in, the class final on the second day was primed to be a challenge for all the riders. Isidore though was set and ready and took the holeshot into the first turn to lead the race from start to finish.
Manaton gave chase but Isidore was just too fast once he was clear. Strickland again claimed third after pulling a great overtaking move on Tre Whyte.
We caught up with Isidore after the race and he told us: “A successful weekend in the books! I was happy to do better today and put down what I'm capable of.
"Yesterday I was a bit eager with the twitch on the gate, but that made for a good race having to fight my way through the pack. Looking forward to Telford!”
There were many great individual performances across the challenge classes including Preston’s James Clitheroe in the six and unders, Leon Parker in the seven’s, Mark Fletcher in the 10s and Keon Smith-Mcdermott in the 13s who all won both days as well as Braintree’s Freia Challis in the 7-8 girls. Both Preston Pirates and Braintree Bullets are vying for the top of the national club point’s standings with just two rounds to go.
