After a great season so far, the 2014 Schwalbe British 4X Series has seen action at every round and plenty of drama in the race for the series number 1 plates at the end of the year. Round 6 was no different. On Sunday 10th August it was time for the Series to travel south to Falmouth in Cornwall. Set in the rolling hillsides on the Falmouth coast, the track is quite simply a work of art. Will Evans built this track with the help of Falmouth 4X club and now a year after its opening, the track is ridden in and is in superb condition.
On Saturday it was 4X National Championships. During that race and throughout the night there was heavy rainfall in the aftermath of hurricane Bertha. Heading up the track on Sunday morning we were all curious as to what we would find. Thankfully, the track was perfect! There was a strong wind that had really dried the track out, but at the same time this wind would be the reason that the pro line straight would be closed. With 50 mph cross winds it was just too dangerous to let riders jump those doubles. So using the alternative line, the track took on a whole new style for Sundays 6th round of the Schwalbe British 4X Series.
After a technical problem with the start gate, racing got underway a bit later that normal. The forecast rain never materialised; it was windy but blue skies and a perfect track was ready for a day of racing. There were 3 qualification motos for everyone to whittle the riders down to the final knockout races. By final time the riders were down to the fastest 4 riders in each category.
Final Time:The Fun categories are the best thing about British 4X racing. Anyone can turn up and race in either fun (13-16) or big fun (17+). It is the starting point for all riders who are looking to race 4X without the need for a race licence etc. In fun it was Robert Beard taking the win ahead of Eddy Cove and Tom Bell in 3rd. Big Fun was won by Ben Jones with Harry Nicholson in 2nd, McFly Pearce in 3rd and James Ferrand in 4th.
Tyla Rosser rounded out a perfect weekend taking the win in Rippers ahead of Rhys Mahon, Josh Martindale and Callum Greenwood. Juveniles were dominated by Shane Davies who took the win ahead Fin Keogh, Callum Rhead and Alex Gray.
It was great to see Aaron Dalleywater take the win in Youth ahead of Charlie Currie, Harrison Fawcett and Macaulee Moore. In Juniors, Connor Hudson put his National Championships crashes behind him to take the win from Joe Wallbridge, JJ Scott and George Wise.
Onto Seniors and one of the crowd favourites, Matt Sills took the win ahead of James Whitby, Adam Thomas and Josh Harris. The masters yet again provided alot of entertainment! Stephen Russell took it on this occasion ahead of Lee ‘Goose’ Ferry, Gary Edwards and Andy Bray. Vets and Ben Rafferty continued his winning ways taking round 6 from Simon Rickett, Phil Gray and Jonathon Walters.
In the women’s small final it was Kelli Salone who took the win to give her 5th for the day and the final step on the podium. In the main final, newly crowned National Champion Liz Fowler was looking to take the win again after her double win at rounds 4 and 5 in Bridgnorth. Against her in the final it would be Youth National Champion Tyde D’Souza, Megan Wherry and Heather Kay. Into the first turn the 2 National Champions were close but young Tyde got the holeshot. Liz battled all the way to find a way past but just couldn’t find a way. Tyde took her first ever Schwalbe British 4X Series win from Liz, Megan and Heather. With Tyde and Megan pushing the senior women every weekend, the future for women’s 4X racing looks very bright.
So finally onto the elite men. The small final was won by Nathan Parsons to give him 5th place for the day and valuable points towards the overall. So it was time for the last race of the day. Scott Beaumont lined up in gate 1, Duncan Ferris in 2, Alex Metcalfe in 3 and Leon Rosser in 4. They fired out and into turn 1 Beaumont had it from Ferris. These 2 stayed close to each other until the esses. In a reverse of yesterdays National Champs, Scott covered the inside whilst Duncan railed the berm. Scott held the tight line well but on the exit, Duncan, with the pass of the day jumped the double and landed in the lead. The crowd went wild and under pressure to the finish, Ferris took the win from Beaumont, Rosser and Metcalfe. Ferris was understandably stoked with the final. This was his first ever British 4X win and to take it in such style was amazing to witness.
Falmouth was an amazing weekend and once again continued to showcase just how much fun you can have on a mountain bike, with your mates over a weekend. We can’t recommend it to you enough!
The final round of the 2014 Schwalbe British 4X Series will be held at Leamington Spa on Sunday 21st September. Ideally located close to the town centre this race always attracts huge crowds and provides great race action.
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