2018 Schwalbe British 4X Series – Round 6 – Redhill

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On Sunday 2nd September, round 6 of the 2018 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 the National Championships two 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 and on Sunday it was no different.

Scott just 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 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 12.30. Scott rode flawless and took 3 convincing wins in his motos – in the process beating all his title contenders. 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 his semi-final he managed to beat two of the title contenders and they both bowed out. That meant that Scott was now guaranteed either first or second in the overall title chase. In the second semi-final the team could not believe their eyes. The other title contender crossed the line in third and did not qualify to the final. This meant that whatever happened Scott had done enough to win the Championship!

Scott being Scott, he wanted to go out with a win and seal the title in the right way. Choosing gate one Scott was all set for the last national of the year. 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 had managed to do the unthinkable and seal up the 4X National Series Title.

“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 the overall title today, so I am absolutely stoked to have done it. Thank you to everyone for their support.”

It has been an incredible two weeks with Scott also becoming 4X National Champion, he now holds both domestic titles as well as topping the British Cycling National Rankings for 2018. It has been a perfect domestic year and we can’t thank our team partners enough for their support.

British BMX Series Round 9 and 10 – Gosport

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A week after defending his 4X National Championship in Falmouth, Cornwall, it was back in the Dethleffs team truck and a drive down to Gosport on the South coast for rounds 9 and 10 of the 2018 British BMX Series.

It was back on the BMX bike as Scott attempts to qualify for the 2019 BMX World Championships in Zolder, Belgium next summer. After a strong 2 nationals at round 7 and 8 Scott was feeling confident.

Arriving on Friday the track looked fantastic. Big, technical straights with huge corners. Having never been to this track before Scott was excited to get out and have a play. On Friday evening there was an hour session that Scott made full use of getting the track dialled.

Saturday morning and it was blue skies. In his motos he took the win in his first race, third in his second race and second in his third race which would qualify him through as the second ranked rider.

In the final, with second gate choice Scott decided to move outside a little due to being rusty on the BMX again! He chose gate 4. The gate dropped and Scott was level into turn one but got a bump in there. Slipping back to sixth, Scott set off after the leaders. Railing turn two he closed the gap and moved into fourth. On the last straight he made more ground up but just missed out on third, finishing in fourth. Still some great points on the board towards World’s qualification.

Sunday morning and all the weather forecasts were correct. Torrential rain and strong winds. It really was horrible out there.

In his first moto Scott made an uncharacteristic mistake sliding in the first turn and nearly crashing. Understandable with how wet the track was. He re grouped quickly and set off from the back. By the finish line he was able to salvage fifth position which was a great result considering the mess he was in through turn one.

Due to the deteriorating conditions, a decision was made to cut the normal three moto format down to just two motos. So it was all to play for and Scott now needed at least a third to qualify. With a strong start and first straight Scott entered turn one in second. He played a smart race on the slippery track and settled into a strong second place for the lap. This qualified him comfortably through to the final.

In the final he took gate six. It turned out to be a wise choice. He focused on a strong first straight and stayed out of trouble. He flew into turn one in second and rode well all the way to the finish holding onto second. In the finish area Scott said:

“That was one of the toughest races I’ve ever competed in. It was like I was a passenger on the bike with little control. I pumped every jump and didn’t leave the ground once but it was the right choice. I am stoked with second.”

The team now returns back to 4X duties with the final round of the 2018 Schwalbe British 4X Series taking place next Sunday – 2nd September. Scott has a mathematical chance of winning the overall title. Due to having to miss two previous rounds of the series due to other race commitments, it is amazing that he is in contention. It is a very slim chance and will rely on other results going his way too, but whilst there is a chance we will be fighting.

Images – Sandra Smith

2018 Schwalbe British 4X Series – Round 5 – Falmouth

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On Sunday 19th August, round 5 of the 2018 Schwalbe British 4X Series took place at Falmouth in Cornwall. Just a day after the National Championships, riders were well up to speed and this race looked like being a very tough day for all the elite riders with any one of them being capable of winning.

Scott just did a small amount of practice 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.

A slightly earlier start saw riders lining up at 11.00 to get the racing underway. Scott rode flawless and took 3 convincing wins in his motos. By the time the semi finals rolled around, again, like the previous day any of the remaining 8 riders had a chance of winning. Scott took the inside position again. With another perfect start he stamped his authority on the race and took the win to book his place in the final.

So, it was final time. Scott again took gate 1. Without doubt, saving his best until last, Scott rocketed out of the start and completely checked out. It was a flawless ride and Scott took the win leading from start to finish.

It was a perfect weekend with Scott winning qualifying on Saturday for National Championships, then every race he was in during the two days. It was an incredible performance and one that puts him back in the Series title chase:

“I could not be any happier. A perfect weekend doesn’t come along too often but we were able to do it here in Falmouth. After crashing out at round 2 then having to miss rounds 3 and 4 I am stoked that with this haul of points this weekend I have a chance at taking the overall series title in 2 weeks at the Series finals. It’s gonna be tough, but whilst I have a mathematical chance we will be giving it 100%.”

The Schwalbe British 4X Series finals will be taking place at Redhill in Gloucestershire on Sunday 2nd September.

2018 British Cycling 4X National Championships – Falmouth

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The 2018 British Cycling 4X National Championships took place at Falmouth in Cornwall last weekend. A track that has always been one of Scott’s favourites, it was the venue where he won this title back in 2014. Scott was obviously looking for the same fortune this year.

We arrived on Friday and set the teams Dethleffs truck and Surf & Turf tent up ready for the weekend. Scott rode in a short practice session and immediately looked fast and comfortable on the track. The team were in good spirits and after a good meal on Friday night we were set to defend the title.

Saturday morning and the sun was shining. The forecast was great and we were in for an amazing day of racing. There was a 2 hour practice session during the morning where Scott was able to fine tune both his qualifying lines and his race options ahead of the event starting at 13.00.

Qualifying started at 13.00 and clearly Scott was in the mood. Focused and ready to lay down a fast lap. As defending Champion Scott was the final rider to qualify. The gate dropped and Scott made his trademark fast start. Railing all the turns he looked quick all the way. Crossing the finish line he took the fastest time by half a second. Scott was very happy to take the fastest time as this gave him the vital gate choice for every race during the day.

By the quarter final stage Scott was looking good but the races were all extremely tough from here to the final. Making a great start, Scott again led his quarter final from start to finish and was able to beat one of his main rivals in the process. On Championship day riders are always looking for every bit of confidence and as the wins continued, Scott was in a great place.

In the semi final Scott again chose gate 1. This semi final could easily have been the final. With another perfect gate Scott lead the race from the front and pulled a decent lead to book his place in the final.

So this was it. Scott was in the final again and looking to win his 9th National Championship and 7th in a row. Again choosing the inside gate Scott got set. The traffic lights came on and Scott blasted out of the gate taking the lead. He rode aggressive and smart through the first three turns, hugging the inside lines and not letting anyone get close to making a dive pass. From there he pulled away and by the finish he was able to take a comfortable win. Punching the air in delight, Scott was absolutely on cloud nine. In a sport where there are so many factors at play in every round of every race, Scott continues to re write the record books and build on his titles year after year.

“That was a tough day, mentally and physically” said Scott in the finish area. “The track was tight and I knew that I was under pressure in every race. Everyone is hungry for this title and I am stoked to be able to win it for my 9th time and 7th in a row. Thank you to everyone for the support”.

Scott will now wear the Union Jack flag on his left sleeve for the next 12 months to represent the National Champion status.

With this win also came enough points to secure the British Cycling National Rankings title – the points system that takes into account all 4X races in the World for UK riders.

There was no time to celebrate though as the next day would see Scott racing in round 5 of the Schwalbe British 4X Series.