Shriever makes perfect start at BMX National Series

The former junior world champion enjoyed a hundred percent success in both rounds, while the men's event was a tighter contest as Kye Whyte, 17, made an impressive return from injury, winning the first round, while Paddy Sharrock claimed his first elite win in the second. Shriever, who left the British Cycling programme last October to chase the Olympic dream solo, certainly made an impression as she lived up to her status as race favourite. "I have really practised my starts out of the gates in the winter training block and focussed on taking each lap smoothly,” said the 18-year-old, who rides for Supercross BVC Bikes Europe. "Manchester is a really unforgiving track – you make one mistake and you end up paying for it. "It's all about keeping calm, being very calculated in your moves and getting as much speed as you can. "It's great to kick off the season with the two rounds under my belt and now I'm just looking forward to the rest of the season. Second place in each round went to Charlotte Green and Charlie Hartwell. Meanwhile, Whyte dominated in the men's first round, returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines to put in an impressive performance which saw him lead from pole to flag in every race ahead of runner-up Eddie Moore. And second round winner Sharrock, who claimed his maiden win at elite level, said: "I'm feeling pretty tired but this opening round of the national went pretty good to be fair. "I was winning all day and rounded that up with a win in the final too so not a bad day out. "I've waited three years to get this win. I was pushed all the way to the line by the other guys but pleased to have held my line to get the win.” The series continues with rounds three and four in Leicester next month, before moving on to Gravesend, Glasgow, Telford and Gosport, finally finishing in Blackpool in September.

Sportsbeat 2018