The British BMX Championships saw 44 champions crowned at Derby BMX Club, with Jos Marnham and Freia Challis taking the elite wins in a fantastic weekend of racing.
The Superclass men category was stacked this weekend, but after the gate dropped it was the Midlands trio of Jos Marnham, George Hunt and Jay Bovill that got off to a perfect start. Marnham led into the first berm, and took it all the way to the line to secure the British title, while Hunt came home second ahead of Bovill.
Speaking after his win, Marnham said:
“It's been good to race the Brits with some big names and a challenging gate, and my favourite part was turning my dream into reality by winning the final.”
In the Championship Women, it was East Anglia rider Freia Challis that took the British title after a perfect day, winning all of her motos. South rider Theia Gaynor took the second spot on the podium with teammate Lucy Simpson taking third place.
Challis said:
“I couldn’t be happier to come away with the British championship title this year. I wanted to put some good laps down but also enjoy every minute of just riding my bike.
“Brits racing is like no other, all the best UK riders coming together from all ends of the country and battling for the title. Not only the racing, but the friendships formed at this event to come together and just enjoy the weekend is amazing. The elite signing session was a real eye opener for me personally. Seeing how many younger riders wanting a signature at the signing session and the whole atmosphere of everyone coming together really shows how BMX is a big family."
In the junior men category, it was Jimmy Criddle who got off to a flyer of a start and lead from start to finish. Despite a late surge from South rider Danny Jake Monforte, Criddle took the win with Monforte second. South West rider Ned Penny made a great move on Jared Hill in the last berm to take the third spot on the podium.
Criddle said:
“I had to change my racing a little bit this weekend – there were some very strong boys on the track which led to some great racing. I just tried to stay composed and treat every lap like a final. Derby track is always a challenge with a long first straight and tight turns to manoeuvre. Overall, it was a good race day with some good battles! Racing at the Brits is always a good laugh. I love the support that you get from your region. The Brits is a one of a kind race that I think every BMX racer, British or not, has to experience once in their life.”
