The 2024 BMX race season got underway during the weekend at the National Indoor BMX Arena in Manchester. The facility at British Cycling headquarters is incredible. A £24 million 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.
At this event, his class would race in a grand prix style format. This meant that all 4 races would count towards an overall score, so every race was vital.
Scott got off to the worst start possible. The music kicked in whilst he was on the gate and he didn’t hear the start beeps clearly meaning he was last out of the gate. However. He made the best first turn we have seen in years! Exiting the corner in 3rd! He then worked his way into position and made his move in the final corner, sliding into 2nd. It was a great salvage! The second lap was much better and he took the win. In he set his fastest lap time and took a commanding win. He was riding at his best and going into the final race had a 5 point lead!
With grand prix, start gates are allotted to riders and Scott was given the outside gate. Not ideal but he had points to spare. He made a great start and rocketed towards the first turn. He didn’t quite get there in the lead, but came out of turn 1 in 2nd. On the third straight he carried a lot of speed and into the final turn went for it, but the move did not stick. Losing all his speed, he was able to finish in 4th and took the overall win.
Scott was very happy:
“That was an awesome race. I gave 100% and I’m stoked to take the win. A perfect start and I’ll be looking for the same tomorrow.”
It was then time for food in the Adria motorhome and a relaxing night to regroup ahead of round 2 on Sunday.
Sunday Round 2:
Sunday morning arrived and we were ready to go again. Riders were allowed to do a single lap of practice ahead of racing. Scott made it count with a solid lap that looked as strong as his Saturday laps.
On Sunday, British Cycling decided to merge Scott’s class with the 19-29 category to give riders more racing. The results would still be separated for each class though.
Onto racing and Scott was looking strong. His first heat was a great lap to get the day started. He made a good start and was able to secure 3rd in that race. In heat 2 he came from gate 3 but got a bump on the first straight. He was able to hustle and across the finish held on for 4th. In the 3rd heat, he rode his best lap of the weekend and finished 2nd.
That moved him into the quarter finals in this merged category. Only 2 other riders made it this far from Scott’s category, so he was assured a top 3 result.
In the quarter final he chose gate 4. He made a good start but the rider next to him bumped his handlebar on the run down the start. Scott’s experience kicked in and he braked, tucked in and dived inside in turn 1. The move was extraordinary but about 4 inches short. He exited the first turn in 5th and the chase began. He rode flat out and across the finish line was very close but it was not to be. Out in the quarter final in 5th.
However. The good news was, his competitors in his class also exited in the quarters, meaning Scott took the class win!
Commenting after the race, Scott said: “I can’t believe that I’ve won the race after going out in the quarter final! I’m stoked to leave Manchester with maximum points and look forward to Cyclopark in Kent in 4 weeks.”
So a perfect start to 2024.
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