Race Report: British 4X National Championships 2022, Falmouth

Falmouth 4X track at Pennance Mill Farm, Cornwall hosted this year’s British 4X National Championships, a great facility that welcomed riders from far and wide to put their skills to the test with the chance of becoming National Champions.

This year has seen some dedicated racers be awarded long-desired titles, notably Josie McFall and Scott Roberts. Many riders conquered the Proline jump section that certainly divided the fast from the fastest on the day, despite the gusty winds pushing racers’ boundaries.

Track changes included the grass over berm section from Round 6 becoming a line which steered off to the left of the track’s original Rock Garden. With ever-changing conditions, one thing was certain … the heavy clouds, rain, hot temperatures and wind kept riders on their toes. Inside lines at the bottom of the track had unexpected greasy patches and corners remained dusty. This left the riders with several bike set-up options.

After practice the action kicked off with the Elite categories qualifying runs which were won by Sophie Cade and Connor Hudson. Following that were three sets of qualifying motos for the remaining categories. These motos were hotly contested, particularly in the Masters and Youth categories.

As the day pushed on the rain clouds blew away and the heat built for the finals which mirrored the on-track action to come. With National titles up for grabs, every category was pushing hard. In the Rippers there was in an intense three-way fight between Felyx Williams, Jay Holt-Davies and Benjamin Larkins. In the Juvenile category Tyler Anderson battled with winner Gabe Simpson in a contest that ended with only half a bike length between them. In the Youth category, Izak Williams had a ripper day to finish second but the youth field was dominated by James Sankey.

Junior team mates William Goode and Joshua Abbott entertained the crowds and had no inhibitions in taking each other on. The Masters competition was a highlight all day. Their final was led resoundingly by Scott Roberts and a battle for second saw Simon Nash pushing past both Alastair Keen and Matt Hillyard to clinch silver. The Vets was a close competition with Robert Blake and Dave Richardson exchanging results all day. Dave Richardson netted the Veterans title by the closest of margins. In the Grand Vets, David Michael sent the Proline to move from third up to first to grab a jersey.

In the Elite Female, fastest qualifier Sophie Cade was outgated by Josie McFall. Sophie tried to take the lead back but an inside move in turn 2 resulted in a tangle with third place finisher Katherine Byng resulting in Josie being well on her way to the title. it was a similar story in the Elite Men. An intensely fought battle saw Connor Hudson get the snap with Tom Bell in close pursuit. Tom then had Duncan Ferris race by with an inside move into the Proline and Zac Hudson also got involved in sending Tom Bell backwards. During the squabbling, Chicksands local Connor Hudson just pulled further and further away to grab his first National Championship title.

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