British Cycling National Series Rounds 7&8 Manchester Indoor | Braintree Bullets
9th – 10th September
Written by Briantree Bullets BMX Club
Photo’s by Abi Taylor
British Cycling National Series Rounds 7&8 Manchester Indoor | Braintree Bullets
9th – 10th September
Written by Briantree Bullets BMX Club
Photo’s by Abi Taylor
Braintree Bullets BMX Club wrapped up the summer season with a fourth in the British Cycling National Series club points standings following the final rounds in Manchester last weekend. The Club had 41 entries amongst the 885 riders from across the country and saw 23 Bullets into the finals, achieving 7 class podiums, 3 class winners and saw 3 Bullets crowned national champions. The youngest Bullet to take a class win was Phoebe Millar in the 7-year-old girls’ class. Millar claimed the winningest Bullets crown too, going unbeaten in every race of the year.
In the 8-year-old girls’ class, Holly Bishop had her head down for the class win second on day two of racing which backed up her 6th on day one after she slipped her pedals fighting for position. Erin Holmes stepped into the finals on day two and rode to 8th.
Heath Thomas claimed the national champions title after taking back-to-back wins over the weekend in Manchester. Thomas had to win to take the overall and showed his composure under pressure throughout the racing. Caitlin Yeo made the girls class final and scored a 6th place finish.
In the Championship women’s category, Freia Challis had already wrapped up the national series champions title after a solid season. The 15-year-old stepped into Manchester to race the Elite track against the current Olympic Champion Bethany Shriever in the home of British Cycling. The girls raced off the 8m start hill and put on an inspirational show for the spectators, with Challis chasing down Shriever in second place all weekend.
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 and 2nd overall. Sidonie Cleave also made her way into the mains and was equally consistent in two fantastic 4th place finishes. In the boy’s class, Freddie Richardson found his way to the finals on day one and scored a solid 6th while Olly Tyers went one better than Richardson in 5th on day two.
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 kept consistent with two 2nd place finishes and 2nd overall. In the 45-49 cruiser classes, lead coach Julian Allen was racing both the 45-49 cruiser and Verts classes. Allen made his way to all four finals across the weekend, taking a pair of 5ths on cruiser and a 6th and 7th in Vets. 62-year-old Josephine Burston also raced two classes and scored a 6th and a 4th in the 30+ ladies challenge class while Teresa Challis made her second A final of the year in the 30+ ladies’ cruiser, claiming 8th on day two.
Back down to the 11-year-old girls’ class and 10-year-old Poppy Bishop was battling against the bigger girls both days. Bishop fought hard for a 4th and 5th across the weekend and a fine 3rd place finish in the overall. Emma Kiss matched Bishops scores as she smoothed her way to a 5th and a 4th while Allegra Trew rounded out the field on day two. Harry Tyers and made day twos final in the boy’s class taking 5th.
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 – 15/16 cruiser, Mia Kiss – 9 girls, Henry Rowe 17/18s and Josh Butson in the 19-29s.
The Bullets winter race series kicks off on Sunday 1st October at their Deanery Hill track on and continues monthly through the winter. For more information on the club, coaching and racing please check out www.braintreebmx.com