BRADFORD Bandits, founded in 1982 and based at Peel Park BMX track in Bradford, have five riders representing their country at the UCI BMX World Championships in Glasgow this Sunday.
Nigel Smith (club chairman), Jon Rhodes (club coach), Tim Porter, and father and son Tony and Jack Le Brasse (the latter only 14) will all be competing in the event, which will see the very best riders from all over the world travelling to Scotland to compete.
The Bandits, Yorkshire's largest BMX racing club, will be cheering on their team-mates on the world stage and secretary Chris Hickman said: "From a club point of view we are obviously hugely proud.
"We can’t wait to see them racing against the best in the world, and it’s also fantastic for the younger riders at the club to see what can be achieved in the sport first hand."
They also have a marquee event coming up at the end of the month, with the British Championships taking place at Derby BMX track over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, with well over 1,000 riders competing.
Twenty-three of the Bandits' riders have qualified for the ‘Brits’ through the North region series and will be competing for the coveted British ‘1’ plate, awarded to the top rider from each category.
Ages of the qualified riders range from seven to over 50.
The club are happy to welcome people to their home turf too, as they hosted the final round of the North Region BMX series at a wet and windy Peel Park late last month.
Almost 250 riders from 17 different clubs across the north took part, with 37 Bradford Bandits riders competing, including 11 novice riders, many of whom were racing for the first time.
The club hold regular sessions at Peel Park on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6pm, and offer a free first session to people looking to try BMX for the first time.
People can get in touch via the club's Facebook page or their contact page through British Cycling.
The Bandits have around 150 active members from the age of four to over 60 who ride regularly.
They are also a British Cycling affiliated, and Go-ride accredited club with some riders competing in both the North region BMX series and British cycling National BMX series.
Anyone is welcome to attend sessions, though children must be accompanied by an adult).
The club have qualified first-aiders and coaches on hand to help, and their younger riders are always keen to help new starters to find their way and make sure that they are not left on their own.
Hickman added: "The club, and the sport in general, have seen an increase in people getting involved following the achievements of British riders Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte at the Tokyo Olympics, where Beth won gold and Kye won silver in their categories."
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