Series leader Kye Whyte’s decision to grace Gravesend paid dividends while Charlotte Green revelled in double success at the HSBC UK | BMX National Series.
After a break in the series due to adverse weather conditions – which saw rounds three and four in Leicester moved to later in the year – riders were keen to get back to their racing ways with the World Championships on the horizon.
And Whyte and Green made sure their weekend ended on a high note, while Curtis Manaton also found himself atop the podium at Cyclopark Gravesend in round five – a track which never fails to deliver some of the best racing.
Green finds her colour in Gravesend
Less than two weeks remain until the UCI BMX World Championships take centre stage – and Green ensured she’ll travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, with form on her side.
The Cornish flyer dominated proceedings in the Championship Women’s class, looking a class apart as she put down her marker in each race.
Taking the finals both day with ease, her thoughts quickly turned to what’s to come in a couple of weeks’ time, pleased with the way her preparations paid off.
Meanwhile, the race behind her was intense with Emily Green and Lauren Stack fighting hard to clean up consecutive second and third spots over the weekend.
“For me both days was about getting consistent starts and consistent laps throughout the racing,” said the victor.
“I was using the races as preparations for the Worlds next week, so I achieved all my aims so pretty happy.
“Now I’m just focused on the Worlds and seeing if we can go better than last year.”
Manaton spoils Whyte’s plans as Hill returns triumphantly
Current series leader Whyte was not planning on appearing at Gravesend, with Eddie Moore keen to grab the overall standings.
He couldn’t resist the lure of racing however, taking his place in the gate – though round five didn’t go to plan as he suffered a crash in the third moto.
That left him in the outside gates for the final, unable to overcome the dominant Manaton - 2017 series champion - who eased to the win.
But attentions also turned to Grant Hill, returning to elite level racing after a three-year break after a series of injuries, flying his way into third position in round five despite a crash in his opening moto.
“To come back after such a long lay off and get that result, well I’m over the moon really,” he said.
“Despite crashing in my first moto thanks to the wind, I managed to pick myself up but had to work really hard on my next two motos to make sure I made the final, posting a second and and first.
“I’d been getting bad gates all day and the final wasn’t any better but I knew what was happening, they were all going to bunch on the corner letting me swoop under. That was the plan!”
Whyte makes up for earlier disappointment
Sunday’s sixth round was a different matter for Whyte, though Manaton remained the man to beat.
Saturday's victor got the draw in the final, leaving the rest of the riders in his wake, though Whyte, now in a favourable gate, seemed to be able to respond.
Manaton took the inside line, while Whyte went wide into the final bend, using the speed to take the race to the line and ultimately secure the win
The race was on for third a large crash between the majority of the field, leaving Ryan Stack, luckily unaffected, to pick his way through the carnage to grab third.
Whyte said: “It was a better day on Sunday, Saturday wasn’t so good with the crash on the third moto which gave me a bad pick in the final.
“On this track you really need the inside line to do well.
“I’m pretty pleased with the win, I managed to get past Curtis on the last turn.
“I was coming fast, he had a good start and had the best line, so I played it smart and went wide on the last bend and gained speed while he took the inside line and managed to get past him to take the win.”
Results
Round 6 - Women
1. Charlotte Green
2. Emily Green
3. Lauren Stack
Round 6 - Men
1. Kye Whyte
2. Curtis Manaton
3. Ryan Stack
Round 5 - Women
1. Charlotte Green
2. Emily Green
3. Lauren Stack
Round 5 - Men
1. Curtis Manaton
2. Calum Strickland
3. Grant Hill
Galleries
