5th September
Co-sponsored by Alans BMX | PWR Motors | Junction 4 Sports Village
Track photos: Adam Livesey
Alans BMX partnered with Preston Pirates for something a little different, a Pro/Am invitational featuring 16 of the fastest male and female riders from across the UK in a four-final Grand Prix format.
The event was also part of an upcoming Alans BMX film celebrating 45 years in the business, looking back at where BMX was in 1981 compared with where it is today.
Alans BMX race team manager John Bentley put together a strong field featuring George Hunt, Tyreese Bradshaw, Brynley Savage, Theo Peterkin, Cal Strickland, Alex Brookes, Jared Hill and wildcard Ross Sharp.
British Olympians Ross Cullen and Kye Whyte were also due to race but pulled out ahead of travelling to China, although both still attended to support the event.
The women’s field was equally stacked, led by Bethany Shriever alongside Emily Hutt, Sienna Harvey, Lily Chiziwa, Emie Seward, Megan Gerrard, Betsy Bax and Megan Roy.
With random gate picks throughout the four finals, the format produced some great racing for the ladies.
Sienna Harvey was one of the standouts, taking two second places early on and eventually finishing second overall. Emily Hutt was consistent throughout, while Betsy Bax, Emie Seward, Megan Roy, Lily Chiziwa and Megan Gerrard showed just how strong the current crop of UK female racers is.
Out front, though, Bethany Shriever was untouchable. Four finals and four wins completed a dominant day from one of the biggest names in BMX.
The men’s racing was just as competitive. George Hunt was consistent all day with two seconds and two thirds to take second overall, while Brynley Savage, Cal Strickland, Ross Sharp, Jared Hill, Theo Peterkin and Alex Brookes all played their part in some close racing.
The day belonged to Tyreese Bradshaw. After winning the opening final, Tyreese powered through from gate eight to win final three and backed it up with another victory in the last final, securing the overall Grand Prix win and £500 prize money from Bill Ryan at Supercross BMX.
The racing wasn’t the only entertainment. Sidecar crews travelled down from the North East and put on a great show, including a dead-heat photo finish, with Bethany Shriever even getting involved later.
To finish the day, Tom Justice, Tom Russell and Harry Gorman put on an old-school freestyle demo using a 1980s BMX Action Trick Team quarter pipe and trick ramp, bringing another element of BMX history to the event and fitting perfectly with the theme of the upcoming Alans BMX film.
What started as a unique filming opportunity turned into a fantastic BMX event in its own right. Massive thanks to Preston Pirates, all the volunteers, riders and everyone who helped make the event happen at short notice.
With close racing, sidehacks, old-school freestyle and some of the best riders in the country all in one place, hopefully this won’t be the last event of its kind.
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