HSBC British BMX Series – Round 1 and 2, Manchester
The 2020 race season began for Scott Beaumont last weekend at the National Indoor BMX Arean in Manchester. The facility at British Cycling headquarters is incredible. A £24 million pound building which holds the world’s only permanent indoor BMX track and seating for 2,000 spectators. It is brilliant and Scott’s favourite BMX track. It also happens to be the venue where Scott spends a lot of his time training, so coming into this race he was confident about starting his season strong.
The racing started on Saturday with round 1. After signing on and registering his transponder for racing, Scott took to the track for his practice session. Just a couple of laps were needed to get up to speed and he was ready to race.
Onto the qualifying races and Scott got off to the best start possible. Winning his 3 qualifying heats and going into the knockout rounds looking strong. In the final he chose gate 2. The gate dropped and Scott made a text book start. He battled with the rider on the inside of him and unfortunately couldn’t hold the lead. Slipping into 2nd into turn 1 things immediately went bad for Scott as he got a huge bump from a rider who dived inside of him. This shuffled him back to 3rd. Re grouping and charging back he got back onto the back wheel of the rider in 2nd. In the final turn Scott rode a high line trying to carry speed and leap into 2nd on the final straight. But in the style of this race, Scott slipped back a position as a rider dived inside of him in the final turn. Crossing the finish line in 4th Scott was frustrated but happy to have been part of an action packed race. It was now time for food and a regroup ahead of round 2 on Sunday.
Sunday morning arrived and we were ready to go again. Riders were allowed to do a single lap of practice ahead of racing. Scott mad it count with a solid lap that looked as strong as his Saturday laps.
Onto racing and Scott was looking strong. In his qualifying races he used the first 2 races to experiment with different lines on the track, before opening the afterburners in his final race. Winning comfortably and setting up the final.
In the final he chose gate 6. He wanted to move outside and get a clean run into the first corner – unlike Saturdays race. He made a good start and got a good drive down the start hill. Heading into turn one he was level but just couldn’t quite get all the way across the riders. He was nudged back to 3rd. From here he chased the other riders are all the way but just couldn’t find a way past.
He crossed the finish line in 3rd and that was enough to land him in 3rd overall for the weekend’s racing in the points chase.
Commenting after the race, Scott said: “I’m happy to finish 3rd today and end up 3rd in points. The racing this weekend was exceptional and the speed was really high. I felt fast all weekend and I am very happy with how fast my legs were turning. Now we get back on the Mountain Bike and prepare for the first 4X national in 2 weeks.”
As Scott mentioned the team’s next race is on Sunday 22nd March with round 1 of the 2020 Schwalbe British 4X Series.
Images: Cameron Smith