Chicksands Round 1&2 Race Report
The 2026 Lloyds Bank 4X National Series began at the weekend with some of the best 4X racing ever seen in the UK. Chicksands in Bedfordshire was the iconic venue for rounds 1 and 2 with over 200 riders taking part over the weekend.
The track has been transformed over the winter months. The classic ’S’ bends have been supersized, the pro line became a huge double jump and there was now a B line with an amazing rhythm section. The changes were perfect and the riders were loving the new challenge.
On arrival at the venue, British 4X Series organisers had clearly spent the winter working hard on the series. New race HQ tents, sponsorship branding and trade stands were evident.
On Saturday, practice got underway at 10.00 and it was great to see so many new faces as well as all the usual characters! As riders got their lines dialled, the British 4X team prepared the moto sheets using Sqorz software – a first in Mountain Biking. The BMX software that is tried and trusted globally continues to provide the race software for British 4X. At 13.00 racing got underway with the qualifying motos. 3 races for everyone to determine the top qualifying riders ahead of the knockout rounds later in the day.
Saturday:
By the middle of the afternoon, all classes had been whitled down to the final 4 riders who would battle for the win in the final races.
Round 1 winners were:
Big Fun: Mick Ridgway
Rippers 7 – 9 Women: Evie Knight
Rippers 7 – 9: Jasper Eales
Rippers 10 – 12 Women: Betty Wills
Rippers 10 – 12: Seth Kucharik
Juvenile: Louis Kucharik
13 – 16 Female: Amelie Eaton
Youth: Eric McSwity
Senior: Jono Harradine
Masters 30+ Female: Katherine Oldfield
Masters 30: Kingsley Mears
Masters 40: Tom Odling
Masters 50: Martin Ogden
The 17 – 29 senior women had been merged with the 17 – 29 open category and battled all day. It was great to see Elizabeth Bown back and racing 4X. She took a convincing win and the series points lead.
Finally, it was time for the Elite Men. 14 Elite riders started the day and after some incredible racing all day the final 4 were ready. In gate one it was Connor Hudson, two Jack Hudson, three Joe Wallbridge and on the outside Jake Hart. The gate dropped and the drag race on the first straight was on. Connor got his bar in front of Jack and the pair battled down to the ‘S’ bends. Whilst they were out wide, Wallbridge saw his chance and dived inside. Exiting the ’S’ bends, it was tight and Hart was lining them all up! Into the final corners all 4 riders had a chance, but across the line it was Connor Hudson taking the win from Jack Hudson, Joe Wallbridge and Jake Hart.
It was a great final and a perfect way to start the 2026 Schwalbe British 4X Series. It was a brilliant day and set up round 2 on Sunday nicely.
On Saturday night after racing, Brink bike shop hosted British 4X with free drinks and a great after party to celebrate British 4X being back!
Sunday Round 2:
Thankfully the weather was glorious again and the sun was shining. The track had been prepped by the Chicksands 4X team and we were ready to race.
Winners from the categories were:
Fun: Barney Prentice
Big Fun: Luke Pritchard
Rippers 7 – 9 Women: Evie Knight
Rippers 7 – 9: Jasper Eales
Rippers 10 – 12 Female: Holly Richardson
Rippers 10 – 12: Joey Tomkins
Juvenile: Evan Davey
13 – 16 Female: Esme Ward
Youth: Jack Davey
Senior: Jono Harradine
Masters 30+ Women: Katherine Oldfield
Masters 30: Kingsley Mears
Masters 40: David Sibley
Masters 50: Martin Ogden
The 17 and over women’s category once again raced with Big Fun and it was Katherine Oldfield who made it all the way to the final, giving the open class a hell of a race.
The final race of the weekend was the Elite Men. Connor Hudson, Jack Hudson, Ian Forsyth and Daniel Cay lined up on the gate. The gate dropped and Connor Hudson grabbed the holeshot ahead of Jack Hudson again. In the S bends things got tight and on the exit it was the Hudson brothers leading but Forsyth was close behind. Forsyth lined up the final corner and made an amazing pass, moved into second and held it to the finish. Connor Hudson took the win from Forsyth, Jack Hudson and Daniel Cay.
It was an incredible race to round off an incredible weekend. Thank you to all the riders for making this sport so amazing. Thank you to all the commissaires, marshals and medics for their help over the weekend.
Full results from each round and series points are available: https://our.sqorz.com/org/ british4x
The 2026 Schwalbe British 4X Dates and Venues:
Rd3: 23rd May – Falmouth, Cornwall
Rd4: 24th May – Falmouth, Cornwall
Rd5: 20th June – Afan, South Wales
Rd6: 21st June – Afan, South Wales
Rd7: 8th August – Shredhill, Gloucestershire
Rd8: 9th August – Shredhill, Gloucestershire
Rd9: 19th September – Twisted Oaks, Suffolk
Rd10: 20th September – Twisted Oaks, Suffolk
National Championships: 23rd August – Malverns Classic, Herefordshire
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All images are copyright Abi Taylor