British Cycling is pleased to announce the dates and venues for the 2023 National BMX Freestyle Series, which returns for its second year, and that Junction 4 In Darwen will host the discipline's national championships for the first time.
Last year saw the first-ever British Cycling National BMX Freestyle Series, harnessing the inspiration of Charlotte Worthington and Declan Brooks’ inspiring performances at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with rounds in England, Scotland and Wales, and with categories for elite riders, amateurs and youth riders aged from 4-14.
This year’s series kicks off at Adrenaline Alley in Corby over the weekend of 29-30 April, before heading to Rampworld in Cardiff over the weekend of 27-28 May, which will once again host the second round after the last year’s success.
The third round in Darwen will also act as the National BMX Freestyle Championships, with Worthington and Jude Jones hoping to retain their red, white and blue stripes at Junction 4 Skatepark.
In a change to the original schedule, the series then heads to Darlington’s 4Motion on 2-3 September, before moving on to Unit23 in Dumbarton from 30 September - 1 October.
The series will be concluded at The Asylum in Sutton-in-Ashfield on 21-22 October, where the National Series winners will be crowned.
Declan Brooks, bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, said:
“I’m looking forward to competing once again this year at the National Series and hoping to get to as many as possible. I’m also buzzing to see what all the young guns are bringing to the series this year as the future looks so bright here in the UK!”
Great Britain Cycling Team BMX Freestyle Academy Coach, Greg Illingworth, said:
“The UK BMX community embraced the inaugural National Series wholeheartedly last year, and I cannot wait to build on that momentum in 2023. The series is important and exciting for the BMX scene. It’s also the primary source for talent identification for GBCT. In my role as BMX Freestyle Academy Coach, I’ll be looking out for the next generation of super stars and Olympians at the National Series.”
Harry Tucker, Chair of the BMX Freestyle Commission, said:
“After a huge success last year, it’s fantastic to see the announcement of another six-round BMX Freestyle National Series for 2023. These events play a major role in bringing together the BMX freestyle community, as well as growing our sport by inspiring more and more people to pick up a BMX.
“The series provides aspiring riders from all categories with a real opportunity to showcase their talent and push themselves in a competitive setting. Using some of the best BMX freestyle facilities in the UK, it is good to see a geographical spread of locations that will provide riders from throughout the nation with a chance to enter or spectate.
“It is also great to hear that the events will again be held in partnership with the dedicated and experienced team from Backyard Jam who have a history of putting on some of the best BMX freestyle competitions the UK has ever seen. This is going to be another exciting year for the discipline and I can’t wait to be blown away by another six rounds of incredible riding at the National Series.”
Anthony Ramsay, Owner of Junction 4 Skatepark, said:
“We are proud and excited to be hosting the BMX Freestyle National Championships here at Junction 4 Urban Sports Village in Darwen. Over the last two years, we’ve worked incredibly hard to transform the facility from one of the smallest in the country to one of the very best. Our £1.2m vision was supported by British Cycling and the Darwen Town Deal Board, and the fact we’ve been chosen to hold this event is a fantastic endorsement of the success of the project.”
National BMX Freestyle Series
Round 1 – Adrenaline Alley, Corby, 29-30 April
Round 2 – Rampworld, Cardiff, 27-28 May
Round 3 – Junction 4, Darwen, 22-23 July (incorporating the National Championships)
Round 4 – 4Motion, Darlington, 2-3 September
Round 5 - Unit23, Dumbarton, 30 September - 1 October
Round 6 – The Asylum, Sutton-in-Ashfield, 21-22 October
