2023 Schwalbe British 4X Series – Rounds 4 & 5: Shredhill
Last weekend, rounds 4 & 5 of the 2023 Schwalbe British 4X Series took place at Shredhill in Gloucestershire. This iconic track with the most amazing views has a huge history as being one of the best 4X race tracks in the UK. This weekend it did not disappoint providing edge of your seat racing in every lap.
A cornerstone of the British 4X Series for many years, Shredhill 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. With the sun shining all weekend, the scene was set for a great weekend of racing.
Saturday – Round 4:
Scott got on track for the first time for practice on Saturday morning to get his lines dialled and get ready for racing. All was going great and he looked fast. However. It is worth mentioning now that he has tonsillitis…… However. He looked good and was always thinking about the bigger picture as we move through the series.
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.
Racing got underway at 12.00. Scott rode flawless and took 3 convincing wins in his motos. He looked great on track and was laying down some seriously fast laps. Admittedly at the finish line, he was hanging, but he was making it work.
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. With a big whip over the finish jump, he punched the air with delight as he took the win.
“I could not be any happier. A perfect race day doesn’t come along too often but we have been able to nail it today. Thank you to everyone for their support. We go again tomorrow”.
Sunday – Round 5:
Sunday morning arrived and again we were greeted by blue skies. The track was even better than Saturday and was running really fast.
In the motos, Scott didn’t have it all his own way. Taking a second in motos 1 and 2, with passes galore and a pair of seconds, he rode a great last moto to win. The crowds were cheering as the Elite riders had brought their A game to round 5 and the racing was incredible.
Onto the final. Scott chose gate 1. It hadn’t been the favoured gate all day as the first turn high low move from gate 4 had been working so well.
Scott made his best gate of the weekend and then proceeded to catch the other riders off guard in turn 1. Instead of hugging the inside, he shot to the outside and then railed turn 1. The high low move that had caught riders out all day was now cancelled out. However the action shifted to turn 2 as a rider dived inside of Boom Boom. He carried so much speed around the outside berm that on the exit, with cm’s to spare he shot onto the third straight in the lead. From here it was all about hitting the marks and riding a clean lap. Scott crossed the line with a big lead and was ecstatic.
“That was one of the most incredible British 4X Series races ever. We are so lucky to be able to do this amazing sport. Thank you to all my sponsors, the series organisers and British Cycling. The British 4X team for putting this race on and finally the crowd for cheering us all on in that final. It was intense but the crowd made it incredible.”
Now the team are already on route to Val Di Sole in Italy for round 3 of the 2023 4X ProTour which takes place this Friday night. Then the team will drive back across Europe on Saturday so that Scott can race in round 6 of the British BMX Series on Sunday in Gosport. It’s certainly a busy week, but Scott is riding great and we are ready for it.
We look forward to reporting back next week from the hectic week ahead.