Race Report: Round 3 & 4 – Afan
The 2025 Lloyds British Cycling 4X National Series continued at the weekend with another incredible weekend of 4X racing. Afan in South Wales has been one of the best 4X tracks in the UK for over 10 years, but the weekend showcased why this track is such a favourite for riders and fans.
Rounds 3 & 4 of the 2025 series could not have been better. Blue skies, sunshine, incredible track and a warm welcome from Bryn Bettws campsite for the event. The track has been transformed over the winter months by the Afan Trail Volunteers. The track features a corkscrew bridge, huge rock section and pro line doubles, combined with a fresh last straight makes this track one of the best.
On arrival at the venue, British 4X Series organisers had created a new finish straight with the huge Lloyds British Cycling finish line gantry for all to see. It looked incredible and set the tone for a great weekend. Banners and flags from series sponsors lined the track and the venue looked fantastic.
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 whittled down to the final 4 riders who would battle for the win in the final races. Round 1 winners were:
Big Fun: Matthew Wilson
Rippers 7 – 9 Female: Evie Knight
Rippers 7 – 9: Leo Britz
Rippers 10 – 12 Female: Hollie Webb
Rippers 10 – 12: Marcus Mullen
Juvenile: Harry Stephens
13 – 16 Female: Esme Ward
Youth: Jack Davey
Junior: Jake Hart
Senior: Izak Williams
Masters 30: David Richardson
Masters 40: Matthew Hillyard
Masters 50: Gary Vallance
The 17 – 29 senior women had been battling all day and the final was more of the same. Katherine Byng got the holeshot and rode a flawless race to take the win. However behind, the race was on. Katherine Oldfield battled with Morgan Haslam all the way, with Oldfield taking 2nd ahead of Haslam in 3rd with Jessica Taylor in 4th. Silvi Vargas took the win in the small final to give her 5th overall and to continue her push for the overall title.
So finally, it was time for the Elite Men. 10 Elite riders started the day and after some incredible racing all day the final 4 were ready. In gate one it was Ian Forsyth, two Dan Cay, three Tom Bell and on gate four Duncan Ferris. The gate dropped and the drag race on the first straight was on. Dan got his bar in front of Ian and the pair battled to the first turn. Whilst they were out wide, Ferris saw his chance and dived inside. Exiting turn one, Cay had the lead from Forsyth with Ferris slotting into 3rd. It was tight down the rocks and Bell was lining them all up! Into the final corners all 4 riders had a chance, but across the line it was Dan Cay taking the win from Ian Forsyth, Duncan Ferris and Tom Bell.
It was a great final and great to see a new winner in the elite mens category. After trying 4X for the first time last year, Dan Cay unfortunately broke his ankle in his first moto. To now comeback and win on his return was certainly impressive.
The BBQ’s were fired up, the restaurant was heaving and a great night was had by all, chatting about the days racing and thought towards Sunday.
Sunday:
Thankfully the weather was incredible again. The track just continued to get better and better! The racing was once again from the top drawer and by the finals these riders were able to come out on top.
Fun: Jacob Vallance
Big Fun: Matthew Wilson
Rippers 7 – 9 Female: Evie Knight
Rippers 7 – 9: Seb Perry
Rippers 10 – 12 Female: Olivia Webb
Rippers 10 – 12: Louis Cheffey
Juvenile: Harry Stephens
13 – 16 Female: Poppy Gosling
Youth: Eric McSwitty
Junior: Jake Hart
Senior: Josie McFall
Masters 30: David Richardson
Masters 40: Matthew Hillyard
Masters 50: Matthew Pratley
In Senior Females it was Katherine Byng who once again took a convincing win. Making the track look smooth, she rode flawlessly all weekend. In second it was Silvi Vargas who bonced back from Saturday and gained some valuable points. Katherine Oldfield had consistency all weekend and took a deserved 3rd overall.
The final race of the weekend was the Elite Men. Daniel Cay, Daniel Wagstaff, Ben Jones and Tom Bell lined up on the gate. The gate dropped and Cay grabbed the holeshot. Over the bridge things got tight and on the exit it was still Cay leading with Wagstaff close behind. Jones lined up the final corner but wasn’t able to make the pass stick, leaving Cay to take the win from Wagstaff, Jones and Bell in 4th.
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 2025 Schwalbe British 4X Dates and Venues:
Rd5: 19th July – Shredhill, Gloucestershire
Rd6: 20th July – Shredhill, Gloucestershire
Rd7: 9th August – Falmouth, Cornwall
Rd8: 10th August – Falmouth, Cornwall
Rd9:20th September – Twisted Oaks, Suffolk
Rd10: 21st September – Twisted Oaks, Suffolk
National Championships: 24th August – Malverns Classic, Herefordshire
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