The Cycle Speedway British Individual Championships delivered an action-packed bank holiday weekend of racing, with Josh Brooke and Maddie Saunders taking the senior victories, while Ryker Jolly dominated with three podiums across the weekend.
Senior
Josh Brooke (Great Blakenham) emerged victorious in the senior open races, claiming his first national title since 2018 after a dramatic run-off with Kesgrave’s Ryker Jolly. The tight, technical track proved challenging, leading to numerous crashes and exclusions, but Brooke remained composed throughout the day.
Brooke’s campaign looked promising after three wins from three, but a slip in heat 19 meant a run-off was needed to decide the title. In a tense battle, Jolly’s tactical approach saw him crash on the third lap, allowing Brooke to take the win and the title.
Maddie Saunders (Poole) retained her women’s title in a closely contested match, edging out Kesgrave’s Lily Parr by a single point. Parr’s day started dramatically with a heavy collision in heat two, resulting in Lizzie Rigley’s exclusion. Parr recovered to win the re-run, keeping her title hopes alive.
After 12 heats, Saunders and Parr were tied on 11 points, with Laura Watson (Sheffield) just a point behind. Saunders, known for her consistency, took a must-win in heat 16, and a strong start in the final heat saw her hold off Watson to claim the championship title.
Youth and junior
Kesgrave’s Ryker Jolly capped off an incredible weekend by winning the British Junior Individual Championship title with a perfect 20-point score, securing his third podium of the championships. Noah Woodhouse (Kesgrave) and Charlie Parr (Kesgrave) completed the podium, finishing with 18 and 16 points respectively.
In the under-16 open, Jolly (Kesgrave) also delivered a flawless performance, retaining his title with a perfect 20-point maximum. Ipswich’s Shaun Kell matched Jolly heat for heat until the two met in heat 14 for a decisive showdown. Jolly’s superior start gave him the edge, and although Kell fought hard, a pass on the third lap secured him second place.
Despite Kell’s win in heat 17, Jolly’s victory in the subsequent heat confirmed his second title of the championships.
Lily Parr of Kesgrave dominated the British under-16 individual championships, securing 16 points to take the title. Poole’s Nataleigh Goulden finished second with 14 points, while Kesgrave’s Demi-Blu Harris rounded out the top three with 13 points.
Roman Boaler of Horspath claimed the under-12 open title with a commanding 19 points. Josh Pilkington (Astley & Tyldesley) and Harry Gibson (Hull) both finished with 18 points, with Gibson taking third after a run-off.
Tallulah Curtis of Poole was the clear winner in the girls’ equivalent, finishing with 16 points. Kesgrave’s Aalan Barden-Beatty claimed second place with 13 points, while Tilly Shear of Poole took third with nine points.
Teddy Curtis of Poole dominated the under-14 open individual championship, scoring a perfect 20 points. Teammate James Randall followed closely with 19 points, while Frank White (Astley & Tyldesley) completed the podium with 18 points.
Amberley Gant of Kesgrave claimed the victory in the under-14 girl’s races after a run-off with Lacey Ackroyd of Sheffield, both having finished with 15 points. Coventry’s Yoanna Gilpin took third with 14 points.
Masters and veterans
Gavin Wheeler of Southampton successfully defended his Over 40s title in a thrilling opening match. Wheeler, one of the pre-race favourites alongside Wednesfield's Lee Aris, made his intentions clear early on by winning the first heat against Aris straight from the tapes. Aris, undeterred, secured a crucial victory in heat nine, flying off gate four and maintaining his lead throughout.
Despite a flawless performance in heat 10, Wheeler was docked a point for movement at the tapes. After 12 heats, Wheeler, Aris, and Birmingham's Craig Norton were all tied on 11 points, but Norton's form dipped in the final races, leaving him fourth overall. Great Blakenham’s Craig Marchant, returning from injury, finished third with 17 points.
Wheeler and Aris continued to dominate, each claiming key victories until heat 18, where Wheeler sealed his championship with a straightforward win.
Richard Edge (Horspath) showcased his experience by winning the British Over 50’s title with 17 points. Jason Ashford of Great Blakenham and Leicester’s Norman Venson finished closely behind with 16 points each, with Ashford securing second place on countback.
Richard Edge of Horspath added another title to his weekend by winning the British Over 60’s title with 16 points. Poole’s Steve Nation took second place with 12 points, while Pat Beacock of Heckmondwike finished third with eight points.
Podiums
Senior open podium
1. Josh Brooke (Great Blakenham) - 17 Points (After run-off)
2. Ryker Jolly (Kesgrave) - 17 Points
3. Noah Woodhouse (Kesgrave) - 15 Points
Women’s podium
1. Maddie Saunders (Poole) - 19 Points
2. Lily Parr (Kesgrave) - 18 Points
3. Laura Watson (Sheffield) - 17 Points
Junior podium
1. Ryker Jolly (Kesgrave) - 20 Points
2. Noah Woodhouse (Kesgrave) - 18 Points
3. Charlie Parr (Kesgrave) - 16 Points
Under-16 open podium
1. Ryker Jolly (Kesgrave) - 20 Points
2. Shaun Kell (Horspath) - 19 Points
3. Luca Woodhouse (Kesgrave) - 18 Points
Under-16 women podium
1. Lily Parr (Kesgrave) - 16 Points
2. Nataleigh Goulden (Poole) - 14 Points
3. Demi-Blu Harris (Kesgrave) - 13 Points
Under-14 open podium
1. Teddy Curtis (Poole) - 20 Points
2. James Randall (Poole) - 19 Points
3. Frank White (Astley & Tyldesley) - 18 Points
Under-14 girls podium
1. Amberley Gant (Kesgrave) - 15 Points (After run-off)
2. Lacey Ackroyd (Sheffield) - 15 Points
3. Yoanna Gilpin (Coventry) - 14 Points
Under-12 open podium
1. Roman Boaler (Horspath) - 19 Points
2. Josh Pilkington (Astley & Tyldesley) - 18 Points
3. Harry Gibson (Hull) - 18 Points (After run-off)
Under-12 girls podium
1. Tallulah Curtis (Poole) - 16 Points
2. Aalan Barden-Beatty (Kesgrave) - 13 Points
3. Tilly Shear (Poole) - 9 Points
Over 40 podium
1. Gavin Wheeler (Southampton) - 19 Points
2. Lee Aris (Wednesfield) - 18 Points
3. Craig Marchant (Great Blakenham) - 17 Points
Over 50 podium
1. Richard Edge (Horspath) - 17 Points
2. Jason Ashford (Great Blakenham) - 16 Points
3. Norman Venson (Leicester) - 16 Points
Over 60 podium
1. Richard Edge (Horspath) - 16 Points
2. Steve Nation (Poole) - 12 Points
3. Pat Beacock (Heckmondwike) - 8 Points
