Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2023 British BMX Series took place at Cyclopark in Kent. An incredible facility for BMX, road cycling, cyclocross, XC and a great skatepark too.
We arrived on Friday afternoon, parked the motorhome, set the team tent up and then it was a couple of official practice sessions. The weather was awful. Cyclopark had transformed into Cyclone-Park. However the show must go on and with a better forecast for the weekend, the team decided to utilise the Friday session to get used to the flow of the track. With a strong cross wind the session was simply about pumping around the track to lock in where the jumps were and look at some lines.
After practice our photographer Charles Robertson took some great images of our 2023 ICE race bike.
Saturday: Round 1
Saturday morning rolled around and it was time to get the 2023 show on the road. The weather was much better. Cloudy but no rain and less wind.
In BMX riders have 3 qualifying races – called motos which qualify riders through to the knockout stages of quarter finals, semi finals and then the final.
Scott’s day got off to a good start, finishing 3rd in moto 1. His speed was good but his outside gate made it tough. In the second race he finished 4th after holding 2nd all the way to the finish line where he was pipped by 2 other riders. In his final moto he took a good 2nd and really looked good.
Qualifying through to the final, and with 3rd pick, Scott took gate 6. He wanted some space to simply focus on his first straight and not bang bars with the others in to turn 1. The gambled worked perfectly. Making a great start Scott powered down the start, just a fraction behind the leader. In a battle into turn 1, Scott managed to get all the way over and slot into 2nd. He tailed the leader all the way and as he closed on the final straight, the rider in 3rd also drafted Scott. Crossing the line it was a photo finish for 2nd – Scott taking it by 0.004 of a second!
“I am stoked with that race. I gave it my all and finishing 2nd in a close race like that is a great result to start the season. I have had a great day and it’s amazing to be racing in Cyclopark again” said Scott in the finish area.
Sunday: Round 2
After some great food on Saturday night and a decent sleep, it was time for round 2.
In the motos, Scott looked on fire. He finished 2nd, 1st and 2nd in his motos and was able to progress to the final with the 2nd choice of gate.
After the motos Scott decided that he would change gearing, dropping from a 44-16 to a 43-16. Just to try and get a better jump out of the start and get across to the inside.
In the final, Scott took another huge gamble and chose gate 5. The theory was that the riders had been bumping and banging all weekend and this would give him a clean run around the outside. He made a great start and rocketed down the start straight. Level into turn 1. Scott hustled and got himself into 3rd. Another solid lap and he crossed the line in 3rd.
“That was a tough day, but again, I’m really happy with my riding. Finishing 2nd yesterday and 3rd today lands me 2nd overall in the points in the British BMX National series. We will now turn our attention towards the first 4X Nationals and ProTours of the year I am happy with how fast my legs are turning. There’s plenty to be happy about” said Scott after the final.
The team now has to turn everything around in 4 days as we prepare for the first British Cycling 4X National event of the year at Chicksands in Bedfordshire this weekend – Sunday April 9th.
Many thanks to all our team partners for your support.