Ulster was represented at the opening two rounds of the Britsh BMX Series in Manchester on the 10th and 11th March by Jamie Harron (Belfast City BMX), Jay Mackness and Jodie Lynch ( both East Coast Raiders BMX Club).
Harron was riding in the ‘Boys 7’ category, Mackness riding in the ‘Boys 12’ category and Lynch riding in the ‘Girls 14’ category.
The opening round took place on Saturday. Harron was up first to race in only his second time at the track, not letting the technical track hold him back he rode as if was his local track, winning all three of his motos and the semi-final, followed by a fantastic result in the final getting onto the podium in second place out of a total of 18 riders
Next up was Mackness who had completed in the winter series at Manchester. Mackness took two fifth places and a second in his motos and just missed out on a semi-final place taking fifth in his quarter final with a total of 60 riders in his class.
Lynch had to wait until the afternoon to take to the track and this was the first time she had raced at Manchester, not letting that put her off she rode hard in all three motos taking two seventh places and a sixth, just missing out on a quarter final place out of a total of 29 riders.
After some recovery, the trio were back for round two on Sunday. It was another early start for Harron with motos beginning at 09.00. The Belfast City BMX rider put in a good showing to take two second places and a third, moving on to the semi-final where he again finished in second. In the final, he was just piped on the line taking 4th place with another great ride. The future is looking bright for BMX racing in Ulster with kids like Jamie coming through.
Mackness rode well in his motos taking his first win in the British championship with first, fourth and third placings. In the quarter finals, after not getting a great start and getting boxed in, he ended up seventh which ended his participation for the day.
Lynch again had to wait until the afternoon starting to get to grips with the track and showed she was getting faster each time taking three seventh place finishes in her three motos and just missing out again on the quarter finals.
The next two rounds take place in Leicester on the 21st/22nd April with all three riders already looking forward to racing against the best in the UK again.
