Heywood BMX Club come home victorious

Liam Swales, Luke Smith, Astin Mills and Freyja Leadon

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Heywood BMX Club have had a successful weekend, with various members in the top five rankings.

Fifteen riders from the club, aged between nine and forty plus, competed in the 'North West Summer Series Regional BMX Race,' held at Cheshire Ghostriders BMX Track in Crewe.

Liam Swales, 9, triumphed in 1st place in the 9-11 year’s novice race with Luke Smith, also 9, winning the 2nd place medal in the 10 year old’s novice race. Astin Mills, 11, received the 8th place medal. Freyja Leadon achieved 4th place in her first ever regional race.

The Masters category (riders aged 30+) had 5 riders from Heywood competing for a place in the A final and much needed points for the end of season trophies; they were competing against some of the best riders in the UK, including several former British Champions and ex Pro Riders.

Yvonne Mills of Heywood BMX and Mountain Bike Club, said: “The training over the winter months made for some very exciting racing. The friendly rivalry had been building all over winter, with these guys itching to take club bragging rights.

“A larger than expected field of riders meant that they could not all race each other and so all were trying to reach the finals together. All riders raced really well, in what is always a spectacular racing class.

“The racing proved as exciting as ever with all riders racing well in the early stages. The semi finals proved more difficult and after some very close racing, they had one rider in the A final, three in the B final and one in the C final.

“This really motivated all the riders, who are chomping at the bit for the next race.”

Preston Pirates BMX Club is next to hold a regional BMX race on Sunday 5 June. After completing 5 regional races, riders from Heywood will have qualified to enter the BMX British Championships held at Cheddar in September.

This gives the riders the opportunity to represent Heywood and the North Region BMX clubs in one of the biggest events in the BMX calendar.

The club is currently raising funds to improve the start hill area of the track and have recently received donations from Heywood Rotary Club, D.Turner & Son Machine Removals Ltd and Dirtworks BMX.