Thrills and spills at best of British BMX nationals

There was plenty of spectacular action for the crowds to savour (pic by BMXpix).

Nearly 700 of the best of British riders took part in the event which was staged by the Cumbernauld Centurions BMX Club and which was hailed by many who took part in the weekend as the best British Cycling BMX National event ever.

The event was co-hosted by the Centurions and North Lanarkshire Leisure at the club’s superb home track located behind Broadwood Stadium.

Practice sessions on Friday were followed by the competitive action on Saturday and Sunday and it proved to be a wonderfully colourful spectacle with some great racing in all age groups.

Things didnt always go to plan for the riders (pic by BMXpix).

With riders aged from four to 55 taking part there were over 350 hotly contested races each day.

A number of the top stars and Olympic team hopefuls travelled to race on one of the best tracks of its kind in Britain.

Top rider Kyle Evans, who is in preparation for the upcoming World Championships, enthused: “It is a great track and the facility is top notch with lots of BMX battles and perfect weather.

“Everyone seemed to have a blast and a lovely weekend. Fantastic work by everyone involved to help the event run, especially Cumbernauld Centurions.”

Broadwood was the backdrop for some stunning action. (pic: Fred OHara)

Although the event featured the best of British, local riders weren’t overawed by the quality on show and pulled out a number of good results.

Every rider in the 23 strong Cumbernauld squad put in their all and a number of riders made it into the showpiece A finals.

Julie Dominguez led the way for the ladies but unfortunately had a rather painful looking fall in her first ever A final. Thankfully Julie picked herself up, dusted herself down and got straight back on her bike.

Father and son team, Raymond and Cameron Reid also made it to the showpiece finales in their respective age groups.

Raymond made his first ever A final in the Veterans class and Cameron went onto a wonderful podium place in both the Saturday and Sunday races.

There was also a piece of history made on Sunday with a first ever full Scottish podium with the Centurions’ Danny Kelly taking a wonderful third place after his Scottish compatriots Ian Archibald and Stewart Campbell, both of the Musselburgh Monarchs.

That result sent the home crowd crazy and rounded off a truly wonderful weekend of racing.

The Centurions would like to thank all of the volunteers who put in great efforts to ensure that Cumbernauld remains firmly at the top of the British BMX map in more ways than one.