Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2021 Schwalbe British 4X Series took place at Afan in South Wales at the weekend. The season finals were held on this iconic track and with the Overall Elite Men’s title still wide open, team rider Scott Beaumont had a strong chance of winning the title. Scott’s job was simple. In either round 5 or round 6, he had to win every single race in the day on the way to the final and finish first or second in the final to seal the title. With two rounds he just needed a strong performance at one of them.

However. Just one week earlier at the UCI 4X World Championships, a crash in practice (caused by another rider) unfortunately dislocated his right elbow. Scott attended Core Clinics several times ahead of the weekend to try and get movement back into his arm. He was far from fully fit. But Scott being Scott, he wanted to get on the start gate and go for the title.

A cornerstone of the British 4X Series for many years, Afan is fast, flowing and always a favourite for riders and spectators. With fun jumps, high berms, rocks, corkscrew bridges and split lines on the track, racing is always amazing. The sun was shining and the stage was set for a great weekend of racing.

Scott did a small amount of practice on Saturday morning just to get ready for racing but also save a little energy for the big day ahead. 

The British 4X Series uses the moto system for qualification which means Scott would race 3 qualifying races against different riders to qualify through to the knockout rounds. The hope was he would race against his fellow title contenders, so he could hopefully take points from them and help his quest for the title.

Racing got underway at 12.00. Scott rode flawless and took 3 convincing wins in his motos. Taking a maximum score and his opponents losing a couple of points, the stage was set for the semi finals.

By the time the semi-finals rolled around, Scott was feeling confident. His track speed was very good, and gates were perfect. In his semi-final he made a great gate and he stamped his authority on the race and took the win to book his place in the final.

In the final, Scott chose gate 1. Saving his best till last, Scott made a perfect start and took the holeshot. Exiting the first turn, two riders had gone high low on the first turn and dived inside of Scott. Finding himself in third, Scott battled hard into turn two and grabbed second place. He was where he needed to be. Laying down a perfect lap from turn two, Scott comfortably sat in second and crossed the line to clinch his thirteenth Schwalbe British 4X Series Elite men’s title. Across the line he punched the air with delight. It was a particularly tough week for Scott and the relief that he had sealed the title was evident.

“I could not be any happier. This has been one of the toughest weeks of my racing career, but the chance to win this series again was the motivation. I rode so nervous all day. I knew I could not make any mistakes and I could not crash! Thankfully I was able to keep it on two wheels and seal the title one round early. I am absolutely stoked to have done it. Thank you to everyone for their support.”

After the podiums, photographs and film interviews were done, the team returned to the Dethleffs team motorhome, where Sunday was discussed. Unanimously we decided that Scott would sit out Sundays round 6 race to now rest his elbow and focus on the 4X ProTour series finals in Germany in two weeks.

Scott did a couple of interviews during the day and some social media work on Sunday and then it was time for the Overall Series Podiums. 

Thank you to all our team partners. We could not do this without you.

Images by Charles Robertson and Nick Bentley

On Friday 27th August, Scott Beaumont lined up on the gate in Val Di Sole, Italy for the 2021 4X World Championships.

It is the 28th time that Scott has represented his country in the World Championships. 8 times in BMX and 19 times in Mountain Bike. It’s an incredible record and one that Scott is not ready to call time on yet.

Riding as well as he ever has, Scott was here to win. 

The week started with a drive over to Italy in the new Dethleffs team truck. Arriving on Monday, the team set up the team area and then went to check out the track. With a few great changes, it looked amazing and Scott was excited to have a ride. Having a steady play, immediately Scott looked comfortable, having fun and jumping everything! Clearly he was in the mood for a good week…….

Thursday rolled around and it was qualifying day. Currently ranked number 1 in UCI World Rankings, Scott was first to start his single lap of the track. 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 looked on point. Heading into the final corner, Scott clipped a rock and it bucked the bike up in the air. Scott was riding on his front wheel! Somehow, he saved it and was able to re group and finish his run. It was a disaster, but thankfully Scott did enough to finish 22nd. His split time placed him 2nd so we knew everything was fine and we were in the finals.

So after qualifying, it was time to look forward to racing on Friday night. With thousands of fans rolling into the venue to watch the World Championships, the sun set, floodlights came on and everything was ready.

After the first hour of practice Scott had his lines dialled. Passing places, and race plans were set. It was time for some gates. His first two looked on point. Really powerful and strong. Unfortunately it then went wrong. Lining up on gate 2, he made a good start but the rider on gate 4 made a great start. He then proceeded to cut across the front of Scott’s front wheel on the take off of the second jump. Scott crashed hard. Clearly in pain the medics were straight to him. It was his right elbow that was giving the most pain. Initially Scott got to his feet and walked off the track. However, soon afterwards, Scott was back on the ground and clearly something was wrong. It was then decided that he needed to be taken to the medical centre and a doctor needed to examine him because the pain was increasing.

With 50 minutes to go before racing, Scott was diagnosed with a dislocated elbow in the crash, but it had gone back in to the joint. As soon as Scott knew it wasn’t broken, Scott was straight back to the start. Most were stunned to see him back at the start! With a fresh helmet and spare bike prepared, Scott decided to ‘have a go’. He was extremely far from fit, but his mental drive and determination were all he needed in this moment. 

Scott lined up for his race and chose gate 4 on the outside – out of trouble and hopeful to just get going and let adrenaline take over. The gate dropped and Scott was predictably a little bit behind. He dived inside on turn 1 and then again on turn 2 and he briefly drew level with the riders in second and third, but on the third straight he clearly was in pain. To put it simply. Scott lost this race, but he won the respect of every rider, team and fan on that hillside. The commentator was going crazy telling the crowd what Scott had gone through in the last hour. Huge applause, chainsaws revving, horns and cheers all the way for Scott.

As ever, in the finish area, Scott was completely honest about his performance.

“It’s very hard to be happy with what has just happened. I am proud to have made it back on to the start gate, but I could just cry about the incident earlier. It was uncalled for and ultimately has cost me a shot at the World Championship. I am gutted, but, I suppose it could have been worse so for that I am thankful. In a week where so many bad things are happening in the World, I am able to walk away from this.

I’ll be back next year. I want this title so bad, we now go home, heal up and come back stronger.” 

Finally we want to thank all out team partners and sponsors. Without you this incredible 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.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2021 Schwalbe British 4X Series took place in Falmouth, Cornwall last weekend. After, lets say a very challenging round 2 where Scott was knocked unconscious in a qualifying race, Scott was back to full fitness and ready to make amends.

Arriving on Friday Scott began his weekend with a practice session on the track. Over the years this track has been very good to Scott and straight away he looked comfortable on the track. A good evening of food and it was time for bed in the brand new Dethleffs team truck.

Saturday – Round 3:

The weather was perfect and Scott was clearly in the mood. A good practice session and some gates that looked perfect and he was ready to race.

In his first two qualifying races, he took the holeshot in each one and simply checked out. He was looking good and focused. In his third qualifying race, he made a small mistake on the first straight and came home second. Not ideal for the rest of the day and gate pick for the semi final. In the semi final he chose gate 2. Again made a great start and sealed his final place with a big win.

Onto the final. Again that second in his heat meant he had second pick. Choosing gate 2 it was going to be a drag race to turn one.

The beeps went and Scott fired out of the gate. Bar banging on the first straight he took the lead  through turn 1. He went tight in turn 2 to hold the inside line. He powered out of turn 2 and nailed the log section before launching the pro line doubles. He was pulling away with every pedal stroke. Across the finish line Scott had built a good lead and took the win. It was a convincing win.

“That felt really good. A very good lap. I’m happy with that.” Said Scott after the podium.

Sunday – Round 4:

Sunday and we woke up to heavy rain. The track was now like glass and extremely slippery in places. Scott chose the Schwalbe spike tyre and it was perfect. Like he was on rails. The track had a few changes for Sundays race which would really spice up the racing as well.

The same format for Sunday with 3 qualifying races to start the day. Scott won his first 2 races comfortably. In his third race he was bar banging through the first turn. It was some classic 4X action and it was good to see Scott feeling good on the bike again and racing hard. Scott held strong and took the win.

In the semi final, Scott chose gate 1. He made a perfect start and secured his place in the final.

Into the final and Scott again chose gate 1. Making another perfect start Scott led the race from start to finish and took another convincing win.

Out of 10 races through the weekend, Scott won 9 of them. He looked strong and faster than ever.

“I felt great on the bike all weekend and it feels even better to have taken the wins on both days. After a tough race at Round 2 it’s great to bounce back with these wins. Now we can focus on National Championships.”

Thank you again to all our sponsors for your support in 2021. It’s shaping up nicely so far…..

Images by Charles Robertson

The HSBC BMX National season finals took place at the weekend in Cumbernauld, Scotland.

We arrived on Friday afternoon, set the team tent up and then it was a couple of official practice sessions. The weather was horrific with storms coming through the venue throughout the evening. Scott looked great on track and quickly got to grips with the technical jumps. The track was relatively short but there was plenty to learn.

Saturday: Round 5

Saturday morning rolled around and it was time to go racing. In BMX riders have three 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 the perfect start, taking the win in his first moto. In the second race he finished second and in his final moto he finished third.

Qualifying through to the final, Scott chose gate 4 in the middle of the track. Here a great start is vital. Making his best start of the day start Scott powered down the first straight, slightly ahead of the pack. Into turn one he got ridden wide and slipped back to third. Down the second straight he rode into second but in turn two he got pushed wide again, slipping back to fourth. He held on to fourth for the rest of the lap.

“I am really happy with that race. I gave it my all and today it wasn’t quite enough to take the win. I got bumped in the first turn but it was good, hard racing and thats what I’m here for.” said Scott in the finish area.

Sunday: Round 6

After some great food on Saturday night, a decent sleep, it was time for round six – the season finals. Another three qualifying heats and this time Scott was firing taking a second, win and another win qualifying him to the final in the number one position.

In the final Scott had first pick on the start. He loaded up in gate one. At this track it is a gamble as the track narrows down the first straight. A good gate and you can control the race. A bad gate and you get boxed in. The gate dropped and Scott made his best gate of the weekend. He took the holeshot into turn one. Under pressure into turn two, Scott continued to hold the lead. Riding a perfect lap he crossed the line to take the win.

With the win Scott also secured second overall in the 2021 HSBC BMX National Series.

“I am so happy to take that win. It was a prefect lap and I just laid down the fastest lap of the weekend as well. I’m buzzing.”

Then a couple of seconds later he found out he had secured second overall by just one point!

“No way. That’s amazing. I am stoked”. Scott was clearly excited as he celebrated with his family who were all present.

The team will now focus on the 2021 Mercedes Benz UCI 4X World Championships which will take place in Val Di Sole, Italy on Friday August 27th. 

Scott is in the form of his life, winning everything in the last few weeks. He is focused and ready to challenge for the rainbow jersey. He will go into the event as the current World Number one ranked rider in 4X. Lets go!

Many thanks to all our team partners for your support.

Images by Cameron Smith

Sunday August 1st and it was time for the biggest domestic race of the year. The 4X National Championships is the event that we focus on every year. This year it was extra special as Scott was looking to secure his 10th Elite Men’s National Championship title.

Redhill in Gloucestershire is a fantastic track and very fitting that the Championships would be held here. Practice took place in the morning and Scott looked good. Rain throughout the weekend had however made the track very wet. During practice Scott changed his Schwalbe tyres 4 times as the track evolved and dried out. He was chasing the perfect set up as this was going to be key to winning the championship.

After practice it was qualifying. 1 lap no crap. There is zero room for error or mistakes. The gate dropped and Scott looked good until the huge step up – step off. He had to hit the brakes and was unable to jump the step off. It lost him a lot of time. Crossing the finish line his time was good for 2nd position. Knowing he made a huge mistake, the team remained very positive about the way he was riding.

In the quarter final, he chose gate 1. Making a great gate he took the holeshot, but on the exit of turn 1 another rider got inside of him. Scott was shuffled back to 2nd. He rode a great lap and sat in 2nd to secure his place in the semi final.

In the semi final, he again made a great start and led the race into turn 1. This time though he protected the inside well and checked out, taking the win by a big margin. He was into the final and the pressure on all 4 riders in the final was clear to see.

Scott chose gate 1. The traffic lights lit up and Scott rocketed out of the start. Protecting the inside again he was leading. Setting off down the fast motorway section Scott increased his lead, then crucially hit the step up – step off. By the finish line Scott was clear and crossed the line with a huge yesssssss!

The emotion hit him. The achievement was huge and his team ran down to celebrate with him. 10 Elite National Championship wins has never been done in any mountain bike discipline so Scott was elated.

Podiums took place, then it was on to the interviews with PinkBike and British Cycling.

A fantastic day for Scott and the team. Thank you to everyone for the support.

All photos by Charles Robertson.