Andover is quickly becoming one of the hotspots of BMX in the country after hosting, what is thought to be, the largest BMX race in the south region’s history.
The opening round of the summer regional series at Andover BMX track a few weeks ago saw more than 500 riders competing against each other.
Of those, 53 riders were representing Andover BMX club in nearly every age category from six-and-under to 50+ grand veterans’ group.
Andover BMX Club has been steadily growing for a number of years, but since Bethany Shriever spectacularly won gold and Kye Whyte won silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games, BMX racing has seen a significant upsurge of interest at all clubs across the country.
The Andover club is expected to take another step forward this when it gets floodlights, pending approval of the planning application, which will allow the club to run additional evening training sessions to accommodate the increase in membership the club has seen since the Olympic success last year.
Luther Hindley, the media officer of Andover BMX club, is excited about the future of the club and said: “We have some brilliant talents in Andover.
“The results [at the summer regional series] spoke for themselves with Damien Mead taking the win in the male 40+ cruiser class, Phuong Clements securing a second place in the female 30+ open class and Betty Wills also securing a second place in the female 7-8 class despite this being the first time she had ever raced at a Regional level.
“A particular highlight for the club however came when Annabel Townsend secured a third place in the championship women 17+ category. Until this season Annabel has always raced at challenge level but has decided that this is the year to step up to the championship class, the most demanding and competitive level of racing in female BMX racing.
“This result clearly demonstrates that she is more than ready for it, and we are all keen to follow her journey through the rest of the season in this group.”
The weekend after the summer regional series saw the club sending a record number of riders, 19 in all, to the opening rounds of the National Series to race alongside Bethany Shriever and other members of the GB squad at the National Indoor track, and home of British Cycling, in Manchester.
This event was the first of five to be held across the UK this year that will see riders attempt to qualify for the world championships in 2023.
Andover’s seasoned riders Damien Mead, Arne Esslemont, Annabel Townsend, and Harry Keet finished the weekend with national rankings of 3rd, 5th, 7th and 8th in their respective classes.
The club had 11 members riding at a national level for the first time. Beau Morris (male 7), Esme Ward (female 10), James Miller (male 10), Oscar Jewell (male 11), Morgan Palmer (male 11), Theo Robbins (male 13), Tommy Haddleton (male 14), Finlay Stark (15-16 cruiser), Sam Perry-Ogden (15-16 cruiser), Tom Odling (40-44 cruiser) and Graham Stark (40-44 cruiser) all showed amazing courage and great skill throughout the weekend.
Although a number of riders took a tumble, none sustained any injuries that will prevent them from racing at round 2 of the regional series or rounds 3&4 of the national series all of which will all be held at Cyclopark in Gravesend in the coming weeks.
Andover BMX club run training sessions for children and adults of all ages – most weeks at the BMX track and encourage all who want to try the fast paced and exhilarating Olympic sport to attend one of the introductory sessions.
More details can be found at its new website and on its Facebook group.
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