The 2025 Lloyds British Cycling 4X National Series began at the weekend with some of the best 4X racing ever seen in the UK. Chicksands in Bedfordshire was the iconic venue for rounds 1 and 2 with close to 200 riders taking part over the weekend.
The track has been transformed over the winter months. The classic ’S’ bends have been supersized, the pro line became a huge double jump and there was now a B line with an amazing rhythm section. The changes were perfect and the riders were loving the new challenge.
On arrival at the venue, British 4X Series organisers had clearly spent the winter working hard on the series. New race HQ tents, sponsorship branding and trade stands were evident.
On Saturday, practice got underway at 10.00 and it was great to see so many new faces as well as all the usual characters! As riders got their lines dialled, the British 4X team prepared the moto sheets using Sqorz software - a first in Mountain Biking. The BMX software that is tried and trusted globally continues to provide the race software for British 4X. At 13.00 racing got underway with the qualifying motos. 3 races for everyone to determine the top qualifying riders ahead of the knockout rounds later in the day.
Saturday:
By the middle of the afternoon, all classes had been whittled down to the final 4 riders who would battle for the win in the final races. Round 1 winners were:
- Big Fun: Jake Green
- Rippers 7 - 9 Female: Evie Knight
- Rippers 7 - 9: Leo Britz
- Rippers 10 - 12 Female: Sadie McSwitty
- Rippers 10 - 12: Marcus Mullen
- Juvenile: Dylan Spence
- 13 - 16 Female: Rin Janolino
- Youth: Jono Harradine
- Junior: Jake Hart
- Senior: Louis Hopkins
- Masters 30+ Female: Claire Mardell
- Masters 30: Kingsley Mears
- Masters 40: David Sibley
- Masters 50: Matthew Pratley
The 17 - 29 senior women had been battling all day and the final was more of the same. It was great to see Elizabeth Bown back and racing 4X after taking some time away last year. She took a convincing win from 2024 Series Champion Katherine Byng, with new comer Silvi Vargas in 3rd and Jessica Marriott taking 4th.
So finally, it was time for the Elite Men. 13 Elite riders started the day and after some incredible racing all day the final 4 were ready. In gate one it was Gabe Simpson, two Ian Forsyth, three Dan Wagstaff and on the outside Tom Bell. The gate dropped and the drag race on the first straight was on. Gabe got his bar in front of Ian and the pair battled down to the ‘S’ bends. Whilst they were out wide, Wagstaff saw his chance and dived inside. Exiting the ’S’ bends, it was tight and Bell was lining them all up! Into the final corners all 4 riders had a chance, but across the line it was Gabe Simpson taking the win from Dan Wagstaff, Ian Forsyth and Tom Bell.
It was a great final and a perfect way to start the 2025 Schwalbe British 4X Series. It was a brilliant day and set up round 2 on Sunday nicely.
On Saturday night after racing, Brink bike shop hosted British 4X with free drinks and a great after party to celebrate British 4X being back!
Sunday:
Thankfully the weather just about held out. There was a shower at the end of racing but that didn’t effect any racing.
- Fun: Willem Copson
- Big Fun: Will Mills
- Rippers 10 - 12 Female: Sadie McSwitty
- Rippers 10 - 12: Marcus Mullen
- Juvenile: Evan Davey
- 13 - 16 Female: Amelie Eaton
- Youth: Jono Harradine
- Junior: Jake Hart
- Senior: Izak Williams
- Masters 30: Kingsley Mears
- Masters 40: Matthew Hillyard
- Masters 50: Matthew Pratley
In senior females it was Silvi Vargas who took her first ever British 4X Series win. She was on it all day and managed to hold it together in the final ahead of Katherine Byng and Katherine Oldfield.
The final race of the weekend was the Elite Men. Ian Forsyth, Aaron Dalleywater, Lucas Rose and Gabe Simpson lined up on the gate. The gate dropped and Simpson grabbed the holeshot. In the S bends things got tight and on the exit it was Rose leading with Forsyth close behind. Forsyth lined up the final corner and made an amazing pass, with Daleywater following him through. With a small bump of bars, Rose flew off the track. He was able to run back and finish 3rd due to Simpson pulling off the track higher up.
It was an incredible race to round off an incredible weekend. Thank you to all the riders for making this sport so amazing. Thank you to all the commissaires, marshals and medics for their help over the weekend.
Full results from each round and series points are available here.
The 2025 Schwalbe British 4X Dates and Venues:
- Rd3: 17th May - Afan, South Wales
- Rd4: 18th May - Afan, South Wales
- Rd5: 19th July - Shredhill, Gloucestershire
- Rd6: 20th July - Shredhill, Gloucestershire
- Rd7: 9th August - Falmouth, Cornwall
- Rd8: 10th August - Falmouth, Cornwall
- Rd9: 20th September - Twisted Oaks, Suffolk
- Rd10: 21st September - Twisted Oaks, Suffolk
- National Championships: 24th August - Malverns Classic, Herefordshire
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