The third and fourth rounds of the Schwalbe National 4X Series took place at Afan in South Wales at the weekend, with epic wins from Katherine Byng and Ian Forsyth.
A cornerstone of the British 4X Series for many years, Afan is fast, flowing and always a favourite for riders and spectators. With fun jumps, high berms, rocks, corkscrew bridges and split lines on the track, racing is always amazing.
Saturday - Round 3
The motos certainly threw up plenty of excitement with loads of passing and great battles.
Whilst the younger riders went bar to bar down the course, in the elite class, there was tension in every race. With eight riders entered, each moto was going to be like a final just to qualify through.
In senior women, Katherine Byng continued where she left off at Chicksands a month earlier, dominating the day and taking the win. Katherine Oldfield rode fantastic all day and finished up in second with Alice Taylor in third.
In the elite men, Ian Forsyth was the hot favourite after three moto wins, but a mistake in turn one left him on the ground, opening the door for Flynn Drelincourt to take the holeshot. The rookie rode flawlessly and crossed the finish line ecstatic ahead of Charlie Currie and Tom Bell with Forsyth in fourth.
It was an incredible ride from junior rider Lucas Rose, who, in his first race against the seniors took a convincing win. He was awarded DMR Rider of the Day for his amazing ride.
It was also amazing to see so many younger riders there, with the under-16 classes are growing at every event.
Sunday - Round 4
Throughout the motos, the racing was incredible, with lots of passing and the crowds were going wild.
Things were not going as smoothly for Katherine Byng in the women's races, with crash in her first moto certainly putting her on the back foot for the day. Hannah Escott was back racing after a couple of years out and come final time, those two would line up against Catherin Oldfield and Alice Taylor. The gate dropped and Byng got a great start. All four riders made it through turn one and the race was on. Oldfield kept Byng honest all the way but Byng was able to take the win leading from start to finish.
The final race of the day was the elite men, as Ian Forsyth lined up to the final undefeated. He took gate one, Drelincourt on two, Ben Jones in three and Pete Watson in four. The gate dropped and Forsyth saved his best gate of the weekend for the final, taking the holeshot into turn one. Drelincourt went down and Jones slotted into second. The battle between the front three was hard fought all the way but at the finish, Forsyth took the win from Jones, Watson and Drelincourt.
A huge thanks to the series sponsor Schwalbe who help to make it all possible. Thank you to Bryn Bettws for hosting the event, the riders, medics, commentators, officials, commissaires, marshals, family and friends who attend every race. You make 4X the amazing sport that it is and long may it continue. The track was absolutely perfect - probably the best it has ever been. A huge thank you to Afan Trail Volunteers and Duncan Ferris from Bikepark Wales for their help in preparing the track.
