On Sunday 29th September, round 7 of the 2019 Schwalbe British 4X Series took place at Redhill in Gloucestershire. 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 mathematical chance of winning the title. Scott’s job was simple. He had to win every single race in the day and rely on others finishing in certain positions.

Scott had continued his training on from rounds 5 and 6 three weeks ago so he was firing on all cylinders and ready to battle for the title.

A cornerstone of the British 4X Series for many years, Redhill is fast, flowing and always a favourite for riders and spectators. With fun jumps, high berms and split lines on the track, racing is always amazing, however on Sunday it was slightly different. Torrential rain all week meant that the organisers were forced to make some track changes as parts of the track were totally saturated and unrideable. So a couple of sections were changed into grass turns on the side of the track.

Scott did a small amount of practice on Sunday morning just to get ready for racing but also save a little energy for the big day ahead. The track was really tricky. Super muddy and sticky as the rain continued fall. 

The British 4X Series uses the moto system for qualification which means Scott raced 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 – however he didn’t meet his title contenders and they amassed the points needed to make winning the overall impossible for Scott. So it was down to simply winning the race to go into the off season on a high.

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 checked out. Laying down a perfect lap and pulling a big lead, Scott raced past the team pit area nodding and already celebrating before the finish line. Across the line he punched the air with delight as he took the win.

This result was enough to secure 3rd overall in the series. An incredible result as he only raced in 4 rounds of the 7 round series with his major injuries this year preventing him from racing the other events.

“I could not be any happier. A perfect weekend doesn’t come along too often but we have been able to back up the perfect weekend in Falmouth with another one here in Redhill. I didn’t expect to win today as the conditions were so tricky, so I am absolutely stoked to have done it. Thank you to everyone for their support.”

This fantastic result means that although Scott lost the battle, he won the war as he ends the year as the UK number 1 rider on the British Cycling National Rankings for 2019.

See you all again in 2020!

Images – Charles Robertson

Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2019 Schwalbe British 4X Series took place in Falmouth, Cornwall last weekend. After, lets say a very challenging season, team rider Scott Beaumont, although still recovering from his major thumb injury, was starting to feel good on the bike again and he was showing some signs of good speed once again.

A strong 4th last week at 4X ProTour in Poland was seriously impressive and coming into this weekend he wanted to continue his return to form.

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 team Dethleffs truck.

Saturday – Round 5:

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 3 qualifying races, he took the holeshot in each one and simply checked out. He was looking good and focused for the semi final. In the semi final he chose gate 1. Again made a great start and sealed his final place with a big win.

Onto the final. Again chasing his favoured gate 1. The beeps went and Scott fired out of the gate. Leading 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.

Scott’s last 4 weeks have been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and pain. At round 5 he looked relaxed and fast. Although still far from 100% he rode really, really well.

Sunday – Round 6:

Sunday and again we woke to blue skies and a perfect day for racing. The track had a few changes for Sundays race which would really spice up the racing. 

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.

Into the final and Scott chose gate 1. Making a perfect start Scott was again going bar to bar on the first straight. It was entertaining for the crowd but Scott fought for the position and took the holeshot into turn 1. From here Scott rode a perfect lap and continued to extend his lead all the way to the finish. 

Out of 9 races through the weekend, Scott won every one of them. He looked strong and somewhere back towards his best after an horrific year of major injuries.

“I felt great on the bike all weekend and it feels even better to have taken the wins on both days. These result have now put me in mathematical contention for the overall title and I am excited to head to the series finals to see what we can achieve.”

The teams next event will be the cycle show at Birmingham and then our next race the Schwalbe British 4X Series finals in Redhill, Gloucestershire in a few weeks.

Thank you again to all our sponsors for your support in 2019. We will see you all at the Cycle Show.

The final round of the 2019 4X ProTour was held in a town called Szczawno Zdroj (pronounced Sch-av-no Stroy) in Poland.

The track in Szczawno Zdroj is in south west Poland is widely regarded as one of the finest 4X tracks in the world. In the heart of the city, it is the pride of the town, lined by hedgerows and trees. At around 40 seconds long, there is a mix of high and low speed, technical and huge jumps. There is something to suit all the riders and the racing is always amazing. Scott arrived on Wednesday in the team’s Dethleffs motorhome so that he could take his time practicing the track over the next couple of days whilst he still recovered from his thumb injury that was sustained less than 3 weeks ago. The immaculately prepared track looked perfect.

Scott did some light practice on Wednesday and again on Thursday as the weather forecast predicted rain on Friday. Immediately you could tell this was one of Scott’s favourite tracks. He was flowing well and jumping all the big doubles looking much more comfortable on the bike than he did 2 weeks ago at World Championships in Italy.

Saturday morning rolled around and the race day schedule began with practice. Knowing just how physical this track is, Scott worked to a plan and restricted his practice to just 40 minutes to save vital energy for the racing.
After practice there was a small break for the riders meeting and then it was time for qualifying. The most exciting but nerve wrecking time in 4X. Riders get just one lap of qualifying. Any mistakes and it is time to head home.

Scott was one of the last riders to qualify. His start was on point and he laid down a great run. A coupe of tiny mistakes but aside from that it was a perfect run. Crossing the finish line it would place Scott 4th.

On to the racing. Scott won his early rounds and looked comfortable out on the track. In the quarter final he again made a great start and won the race start to finish. In his semi final, Scott took gate 2, Tomas Slavik in 1, Stefano Dolphin in 3 and Denny Tischendorf in 4. and Scott made a great start and sat in 2nd all the way to the finish line.

Scott was ecstatic to make the final. Again defying all the odds and doctors advice he was chasing a great overall position in the 2019 series.
In the final it was the top 4 riders from qualifying who made it all the way to the final. Qualifying 4th it meant Scott was on the outside. The gate dropped and Scott grabbed the holeshot. He was flying down the first straight and looked like he was on for the win, until the rider in gate 3 tagged him going into turn 1 and forced Scott off the track. It was a racing incident but left Scott with no where to go and unfortunately he had to limp down in 4th. It was a cruel end to his night but the fantastic news was that Scott had done enough to finish 3rd overall in the 2019 4X ProTour.

“You know this feels like a win. I know I said that 2 weeks ago at Worlds but to be competitive here tonight and really have a shot at winning the race feels incredible. I still have some major problems with my thumb but I am thankful that in a year that has been effected so much by injury I have been able to finish 3rd overall in the 4X World Series. I am stoked. Thank you to my family, friends, all my sponsors and everyone who has taken the time to message me in the last few tough weeks. I think this result is something to be incredibly proud of and I couldn’t have done it without the support from everyone. Cheers.” Scott was clearly emotional in the finish area but could not stop saying thank you to everyone.

It was straight to the podium for the awards ceremony and then the long drive back home.

It is still no rest for Scott. In just 7 days we go again in Falmouth for rounds 5 and 6 of the 2019 Schwalbe British 4X Series. Thankfully after that he has a couple of weeks off!!!

As many of you will already know, it has been a very rough 2 weeks for team rider Scott Beaumont.  Everything was looking perfect at the UCI BMX World Championships in Zolder, Belgium. Winning throughout the qualifying races and looking very comfortable until the semi final where the rider next to him lost control on the take off for a jump and caused Scott to crash heavily.

The resulting injury was severe. An open fracture dislocation of his right thumb. For those unsure what that means, it’s the full set. A dislocated thumb, a broken bone and the bone then sticking out of the skin. It was a pretty horrific sight that needed an immediate operation to save the thumb. After two hours in an operating theatre, the operation was a success.

He needed to spend two days in hospital on anti biotics to fight the risk of infection and then he could return home.

On arrival back to the UK, Scott went straight to see his doctor who confirmed that he was looking at twelve weeks off the bike. He went to hospital who also agreed that it needed time off the bike, but concluded that in six weeks something might be possible. This was music to everyones ears. Scott was adamant though. 99.8% of his body was ready for 4X World Championships which would take place 7 days after the injury in Italy.

After lots of discussion, weighing up the pros and cons, we all decided the risk was worth the reward. The Dethleffs team truck was loaded and we set off for Italy on Tuesday night. 

Val Di Sole:

Arriving on Thursday morning after the long drive the team had just a few hours to make adjustments to the bike to try and make it more comfortable for Scott. His gear shifter was moved and adapted, sponge added to his grip and fork raised a little to take some pressure off his thumb. Then just two hours after arriving, it was practice time. Scott had two hours to dial in the track and then go to qualifying straight afterwards.

In his practice Scott was understandably slow and careful but lap after lap he began to jump some of the jumps and gain speed. By the end of practice he looked pretty good and the goal of simply qualifying looked possible.

With just one lap to qualify, Scott could not afford any mistakes. The gate dropped and Scott set off on his run. Vitally he jumped all the jumps including two 30 foot double jumps. Crossing the finish line he was understandably slower than normal with a time that would eventually place him 15th. To be honest the team were ecstatic. He had finished much higher than he thought he would and he was in the main show on Friday night.

Race Night:

Friday began with an hour of practice so riders could dial in their race lines – normally different from the fast qualifying lines. Scott was as ready as he could be. 

In his first race he lined up against three fast guys. It wasn’t the toughest race he has ever had and on another night without the injury he would not have been concerned at all, but this wasn’t a normal night.

He had second lane pick, which gave him gate two. On the inside was the second fastest qualifier, but he felt confident he could get the better of him. The gate dropped and Scott’s start was ok – the best he could do. he was bar banging with the guys in gate one and three as they went off the first drops. It got pretty aggressive and Scott simply pulled the brakes. You could see the nerves. He slipped into third in turn one and set off in chase. A long story short, hats off to the two riders ahead of Scott because he tried everything and just couldn’t make a pass stick. He crossed the finish line in third and unfortunately his night would end early. This gave him 17th overall in the World Championships.

Scott said:

“I simply could not crash. Every doctor we saw was adamant. A crash this soon after my surgery would be extremely bad for my thumb and hand. We were bumping on the first straight and whilst I normally would have battled through that and come out leading, today I was not prepared to do it. I’ve pushed the limits so much this week and I wasn’t prepared to go all the way to the limit racing those guys tonight.

I have mixed emotions. I am ecstatic. We did what was deemed impossible. Simply riding a bike. Let alone riding a bike in the way we do. However when the gate drops we always know what’s possible and on this occasion I just didn’t race 100%. I am happy but frustrated if that makes sense.”

Thankfully Scott now gets two weeks off to rest and repair before the next round of 4X ProTour in Poland. 

The team just want to praise the effort Scott has gone to this week. It was nothing short of superhuman. No one believed it was possible, but Scott did and we think the achievement is pretty incredible.

Our team edit from the race will be live mid week too so we will send it to you all when it’s ready.

Till then,

Ciao from Italy.