The season is in full swing now! Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2021 HSBC British BMX Series took place during the weekend in Gosport, Dorset. 

We arrived on Friday afternoon, set the team tent up and then it was a couple of official practice sessions. 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 as we hadn’t raced here since 2017.

Saturday: Round 3

Saturday morning rolled around and it was time to go racing. 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 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, just a bit behind the leader. He tucked into 2nd place in turn 1 and set off looking to make the pass. Hounding the leader all the way, Scott couldn’t find a way through so went wide on the last turn to slingshot down the final straight. Unfortunately another rider saw the move and dived inside. Scott bumped bars and it was enough to halt his momentum. He slipped another position on the final straight as all his momentum was lost in the bump. Crossing the line it was 4th for him,

“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 final turn but it was good, hard racing and thats what I’m here for.” said Scott in the finish area.

Sunday: Round 4

After some great food on Saturday night, a decent sleep, it was time for round 4. Another three qualifying heats and this time Scott was firing taking a win, second 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 1. 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 it wasn’t so much that Scott made a bad gate, indeed it was his second fastest gate all weekend, but the rider next to him made an unbelievable start. Scott was in trouble and got cut off half way down the start straight. Entering turn one in seventh, there was a lot of work to do. Scott started picking riders off one at a time and crossing the finish line he had moved back up to fourth again. 

“That was a tough day, but again, I’m really happy with the podium with my speed and performance. Fourth yesterday and the same today means I leave here holding onto second overall in points and plenty to be happy about” said Scott after the final.

The team now has a weekend off before the British Cycling 4X National Championships which will take place at Redhill in Gloucestershire on 31st July. This is the biggest domestic race of the year and Scott is throwing everything he has at trying to regain the title.

Many thanks to all our team partners for your support.

Pinkbike sat down with Scott to chat about his career, thoughts about the sport and plans for the future.

Well worth a read:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/interview-scott-beaumont-on-the-future-of-4x–the-uk-race-scene.html

PinkBike have just featured a bike check with my 4X race bike.

My Specialized SX Enduro is broken down in detail to see what makes these wheels turn.

Enjoy:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-scott-beaumonts-specialized-enduro-sx.html

On May 29th and 30th, we finally got back to racing with the opening 2 rounds of Schwalbe British 4X Series.

Lewis Bradley was there to film the 2 days for the team. Check out the edit to see how we got on:

29th May 2021, we finally went back to National racing here in the UK. Rounds 1 and 2 of the Schwalbe British 4X Series took place at Harthill in Cheshire. With plenty of new faces joining the established 4X crowd, this was one of the best British 4X races ever. The vibe was great and the scene was set to get back to our great sport.

Saturday: Round 1

Scott had a great practice and felt really good on the track. The surface is really sandy and with the warm weather at the end of last week, the conditions were perfect.

Into the motos and Scott got back to work; winning all 3 of his qualifying races and he looked fast, pulling big leads in each race.

The semi final was next and Scott took the inside gate position. With a textbook start, Scott took the lead and did not look back, winning the race and booking his spot in the final.

In the final, again Scott chose gate 1. With a perfect start, Boom Boom took the lead and was flying. Lower down on the track, Scott drifted a bit wide on the stall wall which tightened things up. Into the final corner and the rider in second made the slingshot move from high to low, cutting Scott off on the final jump. There was only a couple of inches in it, but Scott finished 2nd. It was close to a perfect day but we were happy.

“It’s been a great day, winning everything to the final. I didn’t make any big mistakes but it was a situation where being in 2nd into the final turn may have been the best place to be in that situation!?!? Of course I’m gutted to not win but what a great race for 4X fans. This is why we love this sport.” Said Scott at the finish line.

Even though Scott finished 2nd in the final, Scott ended round 1 with the overall points lead.

Sunday: Round 2

Day 2 and Scott was feeling good, excited to chase the win. After a great practice we were all ready to go.

The motos began and Scott was in gate 2. Making a decent gate, Scott was battling all the way down the 1st straight, banging bars as they hustled for the lead. Into turn 1 Scott broke free and was leading until disaster struck. The rider on the inside did not brake and lost control as he was so desperate to lead the race. That rider then crashed and took Scott out at the same time. Scott was thrown from his bike and landed on his head. He had an immediate headache and was dizzy, so the medics who were first to him deemed him to have been unconscious. 

Returning back to the team tent, Scott underwent a concussion protocol test with the same medics and was unfortunately deemed unfit to race. His day was over.

A real unfortunate end to what was looking like a great weekend for the team.

The next round of Schwalbe British 4X will take place at Falmouth in Cornwall on 3rd & 4th July.

Our next race will take place in 2 weeks when the HSBC British BMX Series starts again at Cyclopark in Kent. Full report after that race.

Many thanks to all our team partners for your support.