Braintree BMX Club | Success at the Euro Champs and the East BMX Series
European Championships – Besancon, France – 08.07.2023
East BMX Regional Series – Round 7 – Norwich – 09.07.2023
Written by Briantree Bullets BMX Club
Photo’s by UEC / Sprint Cycling | Holeshot Cycling
Braintree BMX Club | Success at the Euro Champs and the East BMX Series
European Championships – Besancon, France – 08.07.23
East BMX Regional Series – Round 7 – Norwich – 09.07.23
Written by Briantree Bullets BMX Club
Photo’s by UEC / Sprint Cycling | Holeshot Cycling
Braintree Bullets BMX Club are celebrating success as Fria Challis was crowned European Champion at the UEC European BMX Championship in Besancon, France on the same weekend they secured an unassailable lead in East Anglian Club standings.
The Bullets had a squad of 13 riders over in France and alongside Freia’s win, they also had 3 other finalists. Challis put on an amazing performance throughout the days racing, going unbeaten through the heats and qualifiers to dominate the 15-year-old girl’s class. The Halstead teenager was fully focused to secure the title after crashing out while battling for the lead in 2022. After the race she said ‘This one means so much to me. The heat and level of racing made the day tough, but I’m really pleased to take the win. Thanks to all my coaches and support team for helping me get here.’
Oliver Tyers made his way to the finals in the 12-year-old boy’s class. Tyers has been finding form through the mid-season and showed his work ethic on his way to the European number 7. In the girl’s class, Katie Millar matched Tyers as she also claimed the European number 7 plate after a fantastic day’s racing. Sidonie Cleave also rode in the class to the quarter finals.
In the 13’s, Heath Thomas went into the finals amongst the favourites after he went unbeaten through the qualifiers to take his place on the gate in the finals. Thomas was up with the leaders as the pack went into the first turn, but the leader slipped out and Thomas was left with nowhere to go and crashed out while looking to make a pass. Fortunately, he was unhurt and rolled home in 7th.
Closer to home, 59 Bullets ventured to Norwich for the penultimate round of the BMX East regional series and were rewarded with 45 finalists and 11 class winners.
The youngest Bullet to take a class win was Ethan White in the 7s. White went unbeaten through the qualifiers to go into the final as the favourite and he put on a great display on his way to victory. Jack Barter and Gregory Sliwa-Nairac also made the finals.
Bullets flooded the pack in the 8s, and it was Rex Ford who continued to lead the charge as he showed the rest of the class a clean pair of wheels on his way to the win. Max Moss made his way to 4th, while Oscar Ryder-Bayes claimed 7th.
Keeping the ball rolling in the 9s, Edward Cordery took his first win of the year in fine style ahead of club mate Finlay Weir in 4th.
The wins kept on coming for the Bullets in the 10s as Aston Kightly stomped his authority on the class with a powerful display. Zach Parsons battled mid pack in the main while Noah Ford rounded out the field.
Freddie Richardson powered his way to yet another 12s class win, just ahead of club mate Leo Cranston who claimed his seasons best finish in 2nd. Adam Arnold also rode up into the finals. Allegra Trew romped home to the win in the 11-12 girls’ class ahead of Isla Watson in 2nd while Caitlin Yeo wrapped up the 13-14 girls.
In the cruiser classes, Jonathan Yeo took the win in the 15-16s as he styled his way to victory ahead of Jospeh Long in 2nd. Ruth Ford was back on track in the 30+ ladies and cruised to victory ahead of Georgina Connolly in 2nd and Debbie Cotton in 4th. Molly Nice was the final winner for the Bullets as she dominated the 17+ girl’s class.
The Bullets summer race series continues every Wednesday at their Deanery Hill track. For more information on the club, coaching and racing please check out www.braintreebmx.com