Bradford Bandits steal the show (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Bandits steal the show

5:20pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

Bradford Bandits hosted the Yorkshire Inter-Club BMX Championship. After a number of postponements due to snow, freezing temperatures and biblical downpours, 66 riders finally converged for the final round.

During the three rounds of motos, the racing was fast and furious as riders tried to put down a marker for later in the day.

The Bradford Bandits introduced an extra race during the interval in the form of a one-lap pump race.

To ride the track minus the use of pedals is some feat.

The highlight of these races came in the semi-final, where hot favourite Martin Ogden, ex-British champion, slipped at the start gates. He got back on his bike and put in a superhuman effort, only narrowly missing out on one of the coveted top three spots to be beaten on the line by Ben Unghar.

Come the finals and the Bradford riders made the most of home advantage, with nine taking first place in their class: K Kelly, B Kristovic, A Raven, R White, T Stubbs, F Rhodes, J Mullock, B Ungar and M Ogden.

The standout performance was in the open age B final, where over 60 Billy Fieldhouse romped home, showing everyone that BMX is not just about brute force but bike handling, and that experience can also play a big part.

Finally a special mention for the Rhodes family. Not only father and sons riding the event but grandfather too.