It’s some months away, but local BMX enthusiasts can now look forward to attending the 2022 British BMX Championships next year.

Bournemouth is to host the finale of the 2022 British BMX series over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

In partnership with BCP Council, the Bournemouth BMX Club was awarded the bid to host this significant event at its Iford Lane facility. This BMX facility is the only racetrack facility in Dorset and when not being used by the club, is available for public use by the growing number of people interested in this exciting sport.

Bournemouth BMX Club was established in 1982, and next year’s event marks 40 years of BMX racing, with the centrepiece of the national series visiting the town for the first time since 1994.

Cllr Drew Mellor, leader of BCP Council, said: “BCP Council is proud to be partnering with Bournemouth BMX Club, one of the oldest and longest running BMX clubs in the country, to host this major event for British Cycling in the UK’s top summer tourist resort.

“Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Bournemouth BMX Club and our long partnership promoting cycling and the sport of BMX locally. Whilst both the local area and indeed the sport of BMX have seen major changes over the years, the club has continued to maintain and develop the asset for public use continuously for four decades.

“Hosting an elite level sporting event of this calibre is a great coup for us, especially as the interest in wheeled sports continues to grow, and as a major tourist destination I can’t think of a better place for a summer race.”

Bournemouth BMX Club is going from strength to strength, with plans to improve the facility. The club continues to grow, with more than 100 racers at its Thursday evening summer club series events, and it was the top points-scoring club in the South Region and largest club at the 2021 British Championships.

The club is run by a highly professional team of volunteers who are actively involved in promoting BMX as a sport, from women’s BMXercise classes and beginners’ sessions through to coaching and hosting major events at the super-fast facility, much-loved by expert racers right up to world finalists.

Bournemouth BMX Club chairman Michael Whittaker said: “We’re so pleased to have been asked to host the jewel in the BMX race calendar’s crown. We’re looking forward to marking our 40th anniversary, and there’s plenty to celebrate both with the local community and the wider BMX community. For us it’s all about supporting more people to ride bikes more often, whether that’s just for fun, as a way of moving around or adrenalin-pumping racing.”

BMX hit the headlines in 2021 when Team GB BMX squad’s Beth Shriever took the gold and Kye Whyte a silver medal in BMX racing, with the BMX freestyle riders bagging a gold and bronze medal. Beth then followed this up by winning the BMX World Championships.

Cllr Mohan Iyengar, portfolio holder for Tourism and Active Health said: “I am delighted that Bournemouth has been chosen as the venue to host the finale of the 2022 British BMX Championships next summer. Cycling is part of our ambition to transform travel across the BCP area. Such a prestigious event on our doorstep will hopefully encourage more people towards active, healthy lifestyles and support our environment through more sustainable travel.

“Following Team GB’s success in the BMX events this year, I know many people will be out supporting the talented riders next year – and they may even inspire the next generation of BMX riders from across our conurbation.”