British Cycling National Series Rounds 5&6 Gosport | Braintree Bullets
1st – 2nd July
Written by Briantree Bullets BMX Club
Photo’s by Abi Taylor
British Cycling National Series Rounds 5&6 Gosport | Braintree Bullets
1st – 2nd July
Written by Briantree Bullets BMX Club
Photo’s by Abi Taylor
Braintree Bullets BMX Club held on to 5th in the British Cycling National Series standings after a fantastic weekend of racing from their riders in Gosport at round 5 and 6 of the series. The Club had 47 entries amongst the 950 riders from across the country, and saw 24 Bullets into the finals, achieving 10 class podiums and 3 class winners.
In the Championship women’s category, Freia Challis claimed the national series champions title after a solid weekend of racing where she got to test her skills against the current Olympic Champion Bethany Shriever. Shriever took a clean sheet of wins on the first day of racing, but Challis was just 0.9 seconds off at her fastest and claimed 3rd on the day behind the other British Cycling senior squad member, Emily Hutt. The 15-year-old put on a great show as she went unbeaten through the second days racing to claim the title.
The youngest Bullet to take a class win was Phoebe Millar in the 7-year-old girls’ class as she also went unbeaten across the weekend, winning the finals by nearly a whole straight. In the equivalent boy’s class, Ethan White wrapped up the weekend with a 2nd place finish.
At the other end of the age groups, the eldest Bullet to make a podium was James Yeo in the 55+ cruiser class. Yeo had great laps across the weekend and claimed a 3rd on day one, that he backed up with a 2nd on day two to take an unassailable lead in the points standings and became the first 55+ cruiser national champion. In the 45-49 cruiser classes, lead coach Julian Allen was consistent throughout the weekend and wrapped up a pair of fine 5th place finishes. Also taking 5th was Josephine Burston in the 30+ ladies challenge class and Teresa Challis made her first final of the year in the 30+ ladies’ cruiser, claiming 6th on the line.
Heath Thomas took his second class win of the season in the 13’s on day two. A mistake at the start of day one saw him down in 2nd, but his final on the second days racing was the fastest lap in the class over the day. In the girl’s class, Lily Heighes battled mid pack for a 5th on day one, but showed great form on day 2 taking a strong 3rd place finish.
Just off the top step of the podium was Katie Millar in the 12-year-old girls. Millar was super consistent all weekend as she powered her way to 2nd both days. Sidonie Cleave also made her way into the mains and was equally consistent in two fantastic 4th place finishes. In the boy’s class, Olly Tyers also made the finals both days, but got caught up in some mid back chaos and settled for a 7th and 6th place finish.
Rex Ford came so close to his first 8-year-olds class win on day one, but he slipped his pedals in the last dash to the line and settled for 2nd on day one, and then took another podium on day two. In the girls’ class, Holly Bishop had her head down all weekend to take two strong 3rd places.
Back down to the 11-year-old girls’ class, Poppy Bishop was back in national competition and took a 4th on day one that she bettered on day two in 3rd. Emma Kiss made another final taking 5th with Allegra Trew rounding out the field.
The final Bullet on the podium was Molly Nice in the 17-29 ladies’ cruiser class. Nice is a big wheel specialist and put it into 3rd on day one and 4th on day two.
Also making the finals were Louis Tay-Edwards and Joseph Long in the 15-16 cruiser, Mia Kiss and Aston Kightly in the 9s, and Josh Butson and Josh Wallis in the 19-29s.
The Bullets summer race series continues at their Deanery Hill track on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. For more information on the club, coaching and racing please check out www.braintreebmx.com