Quillan Isidore, Freia Challis and Jimmy Criddle all doubled up for the weekend as a hot and sunny Platt Fields in Manchester played host to rounds seven and eight of the 2024 Lloyds Bank National BMX Series.
Round 7
In the open superclass category, Great Britain Cycling Team rider Quillan Isidore (Pure Bicycles) got off a to a great start, leading from start to finish to produce the fastest gate and lap time of the day. Staystrong rider Cal Strickland was just behind, chasing Isidore's wheel, before Harry Tanner (GT Bicycles) put in a fast late surge to pass Strickland on the line to take second.
Speaking on his win, Isidore said:
"It was good fun racing locally again instead of gallivanting around the globe and especially in good weather! Props to Manchester BMX Club for hosting such a great event. For me personally, it was spot on getting the double win which was exactly what I came for. I felt good on bike and delivering some fast laps!"
The championship women class saw Crucial BMX rider Sienna Harvey get off to a flying start, with Freia Challis (Absolute BMX) right behind her. Challis waited for her moment to pounce, attacking on the third straight to pass Harvey around the outside going into the last berm. Elsa Rendall-Todd (Staystrong) seized the opportunity and fought to follow Challis' wheel, taking second just ahead of Harvey.
In the junior open category, it was Jimmy Criddle (Crucial BMX) who got off to a perfect start to take the win with ease. Jared Hill (Pure Bicycles) came home second, while Danny Jake Monforte (Peckham Challengers BMX Club) secured third.
Round 8
Isidore yet again showed his class to take a well deserved double for the weekend with another fastest lap of the day in the final. In the second berm, there was chaos when George Hunt (Ice Bikes UK Factory Team) slid out, holding up riders behind to make it a scramble for the final podium places. Tanner managed to get another second place, while Bradley Russell (Birmingham BMX Club) finished third.
Challis also managed a perfect weekend, taking the women's fastest lap to win easily. Harvey fought for redemption, battling with Rendall-Todd for third, but had to settle for third once again as Rendall-Todd secured second.
Having taken multiple national series wins, Challis said:
"The weather was amazing all weekend and it was great racing to watch and to ride. Saturday for me was a good race day. A slight mistake on the gate in the final left me in the pack but I was able to battle my way back and couldn’t be happier to take the win. Sunday's racing was hot and I was over the moon with my laps and to take the win again.
"Manchester Platt Fields always put on the best races and the atmosphere and facility was on point. There's not many races left of the season now so cannot wait to see what they have to bring!"
Criddle led from the off and, despite some late pressure from Montforte in the closing stages of the junior open final, the Crucial BMX rider held on to take his second victory of the weekend. Montforte took second, while local rider Gabe Simpson (Prostart BMX) made up for his crash in Saturday's final with third place.
Speaking after his second win, Criddle said:
"I haven’t raced for a while due to injury and exams so to get back in the groove fast was key. I tried to focus on all my pointers and make sure that every lap that I did was consistent and at the finish line, I had not left anything on the track.
"Racing in Manchester is always fun. Having the track so close to home means that I know a lot of people there so to have my name being cheered loudly is definitely a massive confidence boost. I am really enjoying the championship categories as I have had to push myself and have also made some new friends. A tight Manchester track made for some good racing and moves."
A big thank you to Jon Syrett for providing us with some photos!
