Race Report: British 4X National Championships at The Malverns Classic
Words: Nick Bentley
This year in a change that has sparked plenty of conversation within the 4X community, the 4X National Championships took place this weekend at The Malverns Classic. Say what you want about the track but the team at Malverns Classic know for sure how to put on a show and that's exactly what they did with a main arena full of people cheering on the 4X riders, there won't be many bigger crowds at a 4X event other than a Pro-tour round this year. The riders who did race gave it their all battling bar to bar to take home that coveted National Champs jersey.
Scott Beaumont was on it this weekend winning back-to-back National titles in both Dual Slalom and 4X. Scott really does dominate in this discipline in the UK
British Cycling Commissaires were on hand to make all the racing fair
Wheels on the gate, it's time to go racing
The possible dark horse of the men's masters race was Ben Deakin, who seems to be a jack of all trades on a mountain bike, having been entered into every race this weekend, taking home second
Riders came across the road, through the funfair and through the crowd to the finish
Plenty of time to gossip while waiting for your call up to the gate
But the riders did get a beautiful view when they sat in the start gate
It's tight into the first corner
Hero lenses out for the sunshine
First place in the female youth went to Amelia Martin
Riders were ready to have fun
Layla Begley-Tracey took home second place in the female youth
4X racing is all about that snap out of the gate although with the very slippery corners on this Malverns track it was a little less important than usual
George Cawdell taking yet another medal for the GT Viris team this weekend and a National title to go with it in the male youth field
Aidan Bishop making the most of his beautiful Ancillotti on his way to taking the win in the male veteran field
Dave Richardson sliding it round the corner
Josie McFall making the long trip up to the start ramp
Always great to see the Jones brothers out racing together, they're not at all competitive with each other of course
It was a long push-up for the riders, the little top-up of Monster halfway really was helping
Ollie Carne trying to jump his way up a place
4X riders are never shy about sending a jump
Ben Deakin doing an early wheelie Wednesday
Mid-way up the hill by the infamous bomb-hole Monster Energy were putting on a party
The track here at The Malverns was made entirely of grass with plenty of slippery corners for the riders to negotiate
4X legend Dave Richardson finished up 4th in the men's veteran field, a great effort by Dave considering he's been working all weekend on the LeisureLakes stand at The Malverns
I'm pretty sure this vuvuzela is as big as the person playing it
When we say 4X is bar to bar racing we're not joking!
Felyx Williams had some fantastic battles this weekend in what ended up being one of the bigger classes. The juveniles for sure put on a good show
Matt Hillyard took home the win in the Masters race
With a tape tail and a bit of the Eastnor Castle plant life all over him, Rob Francis clearly had some sort of exertion off the track somewhere
Veteran's race was one of the tightest. These old boys know how to ride a bike and they're not too shy on making a move on each other when even the slightest chance arises
Davie Roberts had been working all weekend providing timing for all the races but still found time to compete in the 4X finishing up in 4th
Foot out flat out for Matt Jones
Pete Watson came out on top in this encounter
Medics on hand. 4X is certainly on the edge of being a contact sport
As proved right here, two riders into one grassy corner doesn't always come out with a great answer
Some classic British 4X with a classic British Orange painted pink
Joseph Jamieson left everyone in the B-final for dead with one hell of a sprint from a long way out
Riders powering up and over the final hill to the finish
In an amazing last two corner move Sophie Cade went from third to becoming your new 4X UK National Champion in a move she couldn't quite believe
Harry Schofield showing he's not just all about bit jumps and tricks; he's also got some race craft too, taking home third in the juvenile men's race
Malverns Classic main man and long-time 4X racer Si Paton picked up his second national title of the weekend, this time it was the grand veteran 4X title
It was a close sprint to the finishing line for the men's senior title
The lure of coffee and donuts was enough to power anyone to a sprint finish
It's safe to say Jono Jones was having a great afternoon
Along with his brother Matt
Your 4X UK National Champion once again is Scott Beaumont
It doesn't matter what your background everyone can enjoy a bit of 4X
For 2023 Man Down Media have partnered with Bluetti to help support us in producing our National Series content. Bluetti produce clean, portable power stations allowing us to ditch our generator on race weekends an rely solely on their AC200MAX portable power station for all our power needs (e-bike charging included!). Why not head over to their website and check them out for yourself. Bluetti
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