Published: May 25, 2009
In photos: Burnham-On-Sea BMX Club hosts national championships

Hundreds of high-flying BMX riders descended on Burnham-On-Sea's BMX track over the weekend for a three-day cycling competition.

The track in Apex Park was the venue for rounds three and four of this year's British Cycling National BMX series.

First up were Burnham cyclists Jack Hawkins and Harry Stevenson, who are taking part in their first season and posted great results on both days.

In the male sevens category, Burnham riders Kobi Joyce and Ben Saunders both made it through to the finals, ensuring the club featured heavily in the younger ages.

In the eights category, Joshua Coppin posted impressive podium finishes for both rounds, while Finley Mead, James Duckering and Benjamin Wainwright showed the strength of the club's younger ranks.

In the male tens, Eddie Moore won the accolade of race of the weekend, his last straight win would have made the elite riders proud, and secured his win on Sunday.

The male 11-12 category is one of the fiercest in the country, but the Burnham boys did not disappoint and Josh Moore proved success is in the family by following his brother, Eddie, with great rides on both days.

Josh led a quartet of Burnham riders - Todd Rattue, Kurt Pugsley, Roy Jones and Liam Brown - who made the finals.

The Burnham teenagers carried the form as the racing continued and Ryan Stack achieved a third place on Saturday, but unfortunately had a nasty fall on the Sunday.

In the junior male category, the club showed great potential for people following in Liam Phillips' shoes.

Adam Brazil showed his competition how to ride the track with two first places, and Curtis Manaton and Dan Tipton battled in a strong field to post great results.

In the 19 and over category, Matt Mitchell who has just come back on to the scene after a long break, showed that he still has got what it takes making the main final on Saturday.

The Burnham girls shouldn't be disappointed, and Isla Harvey led the girls out with a great sixth places both days.

Lauren Stack rode fantastic all weekend with two second places, and Amelia Silvestre followed suit in the 13-15 girls category.

The showcase event of the elite male category, Tom Palmer, Lewis Lacey and Olympian Liam Phillips took on the best the country have to offer.

The qualifiers were text-book on the Saturday, seeing all the guys reach the final. Unfortunately, Liam fell in the final which meant he then played no further part, but Tom showed consistency with two fourth places.

"All in all, 23 Burnham riders took part over the weekend and all rode fantastically. The organisers are riders are now looking forward to the end of July when Cheddar will host two rounds of the European Championships," spokesman Matt Duckering told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"Burnham BMX club would like to thank everyone that helped throughout the weekend, and the local community for their support throughout the event, without which the event would not be able to happen."