750 BMX riders go indoors for series opener

This is the first indoor national held in this country and at the custom built premises attracted over 750 riders to make it the largest National series event held in the UK under the British Cycling banner.

The 2012 National Series had to start early this year as riders are still trying to get qualifying points for their qualification to the World Championships in May which are to be held in the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.

These Championships are normally held in July but this year the Olympics take precedence as BMX racing will account for 4 of the medals available in the cycling discipline.

National races cover all ages and the Royston Rockets had 10 riders registered over the weekend and Wrestlingworth’s Joshua Abbott in the 7 year class got the Rockets of to a flying start as he took 5th in the B final.

The 11 year class James King and teammate, Wrestlingworth’s Ted Dalleywater both make the A final with James taking 5th just ahead of Ted on 7th in one of the larger classes of the weekend. Royston also has two riders competing in the 12 year class, where Myles Fisher took 6th in the A final and Daniel Blanche taking the B final win and in the 13 yr class the good results kept coming with Ethan Vernon taking 2nd place in his A final even though he has moved up an age category.

Maintaining Royston’s run of good results the 14yr class saw Wrestlingworth’s Aaron Dalleywater take 4th and in the ladies 17-29 Cruiser class 3rd place went to Helen Biggs. In the Masters category (30+) Richard Townsend just missed a semi final place but Royston’s newest recruit, Tom Dowie, took 8th place in the B final of the 17-24 yr class.

The next event on the BMX race calendar is the fourth round of the East Anglia Winter Series at Norwich on February 12th followed by another trip to Manchester for the next National Series event on February 19th.

Royston’s own club winter coaching sessions continues on a monthly basis with the gates opening at 10am. See more about the club activities and BMX racing in the region at www.roystonrockets.co.uk and the BMX East Regional site on www.bmxeast.com or ring 01763 260959 for more information on BMX racing.