On Friday 14th June, Scott Beaumont lined up on the gate in Val Di Sole, Italy for the 2024 4X ProTour race at this iconic venue.
The track in Val Di Sole, as always, was immaculate. The preparation that the team there had done on the track was incredible and we were excited to get out there.
Riding as well as he ever has and fresh off the back of regaining the UCI Number 1 in the overall World Rankings, Scott was here to win.
The week started with a drive over to Italy in our Adria motorhome. Driving through the incredible dolomites always gets us excited to arrive in Val Di Sole. Arriving on Tuesday night, the team set up the team area on Wednesday morning and then went to check out the track. With a few great changes, it looked amazing and Scott was excited for practice to start on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the organisers asked Scott and a few others to test the track ahead of official practice on Thursday. Fresh floodlights had been placed on the track so lighting needed to be tested ahead of the event starting. The track was riding brilliant. The best it has ever been. Scott hit all the jumps and looked extremely comfortable out there.
Thursday rolled around and it was qualifying day. As the new World Number 1, Scott would qualify as the last rider. 4X is a brutal sport. Just a single lap determines the top 32 riders to qualify. If you crash, make a mistake or have a technical problem, your race is over before it has even started. It is a pressure cooker for the riders.
Scott was focused and as he left the start and looked on point. He looked perfect on track – as good as he ever rode this track. Fast, smooth and precise. Crossing the finish line, he had the sixth fastest time. The team were happy with that result as less than a second separated the top 6.
Friday Night – 4X ProTour Round 1:
It was time to start racing on Friday night. With thousands of fans rolling into the venue to watch the 4X, the sun set, floodlights came on and everything was ready.
After the first hour of practice for Scott, he was ready to start racing.
Scott lined up for his first round on gate 1. He made a perfect start and led the race from start to finish. It was a great start to the evening and settled all our nerves. Onto the quarter final and this time he had gate 2. He made it work perfectly and took the lead into turn 1. In turn 2 he drifted a little wide and was passed. He hounded for the lead all the way but had to settle for 2nd.
In the semi final, Scott took gate 3. He made a great start and went into turn 1 in 2nd. Bar banging on the second straight unfortunately put Scott into 4th and needing to catch up quick. Scott rode an incredibly smart race, carrying speed but he crossed the line in 4th. Gutted to go out in the semi final, but in 4X, riders go back to the top for the small final – to determine 5th – 8th positions.
In the small final, Scott took gate 4, to give himself space. The gate dropped and Scott got the initial lead but couldn’t get all the way across. In turn 1 he was then ridden a little wide and slipped back to third. He was being hounded by the rider in fourth all the way and was defending all his lines, not carrying speed. Then in turn 5, the rider infant of Scott crashed and he had to take avoiding action, being passed by the rider behind him in the process. Scott crossed the finish line in 3rd which would give him 7th for the evening.
In the finish area Scott said:
“That was one of the best 4X races I have ever raced in. The crowd were incredible. The track was perfect. I am proud of how I rode all night and whilst I am disappointed with 7th in the final, I have gained some valuable points for the overall title. 4 weeks and we go again in JBC.”
Whilst that is correct, our next race was the very next morning in Switzerland for the European 4X Series!
Finally we want to thank all out team partners and sponsors. Without you this great performance would not have been possible. We have the best sponsors and an incredible presence at the events.
We are forever thankful for the opportunities you give us and want to sincerely thank you all.