Ireland’s Kelvin Batey (33) travelled to the 2014 UCI BMX World Championships with high expectations. A year of training all leading up to this event in Rotterdam where Kelvin would not only race in the Masters class but also the 30-34 year old Cruiser class.
Every year the Masters class gets harder as new riders reach the minimum age requirement of 30 years. This year Kelvin not only had to deal with Argentina’s Cristian Becerine, the number 1 USA BMX Vet Pro, but also Denmark’s Olympian, Morten Therkildsen. Not an easy field to navigate!
Kelvin’s Masters challenge got off to a perfect start with three perfect laps in the moto’s resulting in three wins. In the semi Kelvin went into the big sweeping first berm level with Becerine but came out in second where he sat comfortably for the rest of the lap, easing up on the final straight.
Photo: Simon Murphy
Master Moto’s – Kelvin Batey, World Number 2 – 2014
Master Semi Final – Kelvin Batey, World Number 2 – 2014
Second place in the semi final put Kelvin in gate 4 for the final with Becerine in gate 2 and Therkildsen in gate 5 beside Kelvin. With such a short first straight the advantage was firmly in Bercerine’s court.
The Argentinian got a brilliant gate giving him the holeshot at turn one. Kelvin came out in second and after a slight bobble on a jump sat in behind Becerine until the third straight where he opened up and took first place by the end of the straight but got checked in turn three, which killed both Kelvin’s and Becerine’s speed. That left the gate open for Therkildsen, who was behind by a significant distance, to whip by both of them on the last straight taking the title. Kelvin managed to regain momentum to take the silver medal on the line with Becerine in third. The Masters had been all about these three.
Master Final – Kelvin Batey, World Number 2 – 2014
Photo: Simon Murphy
After the final Kelvin responded with ” It’s been a great year wearing the stripes and it’s been one of the proudest things I’ve ever done in my life. Silver medal this year after a great race and beaten by my long time friend and someone I really respect, Morten Therkildsen,congrats mate you deserve it. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and the support I have had at this championship.”
It’s our opinion that Kelvin was visibly the fastest rider on the day, he is definitely faster now than he was in New Zealand 2013 when he won the Masters title but it’s the tiniest little things that happen in the frantic 30 seconds that can change everything.
On the Friday Kelvin hopped on to a borrowed Cruiser for the first time this year, swapping all the parts he could from his bike on to it, stating that he was ‘going to ride it like a 20″ ‘. And that’s just what he did, not dropping a lap all day in the moto’s, quarters and semi. A class above! In the final our man did not get the best of gates but by half way down the first straight he was level and being the only rider to jump the big triples going into turn one put him out front. From there he was gone and cruised to victory and his second World Championship title in as many years. Kelvin Batey, World number 1, again.
One week, two bikes, two medals. Brilliant.
30-34 Cruiser Moto’s – Kelvin Batey World number 1 – 2014
30-34 Cruiser Final – Kelvin Batey World number 1 – 2014
Kelvin interviewed right after winning.
Kelvin will be back next year to reclaim his Masters title at BMX Zolder in Belgium. But what are Kelvin’s plans post Belgium? Well this is where it gets really interesting … an extended period off work, serious full time training and a return to the SX Series with an eye on Olympic qualification for Rio 2016 when the World Championships roll into Medellin, Colombia … “Its the last piece of my career that’s missing so I want to fully go for it this time“. Start planning, we’re going to Brazil …
Result: Kelvin didn’t drop a lap all day. 1st in the final.World Number 1! See HERE for more info.
Cruiser 30-34 Final – Kelvin Batey, World Number 1 – 2014
Cruiser 45+: Friday 25th 8.00 – 13.10 Tom Campbell#462 Moto#66 Result: Tom made it to the 1/8′s, just missing the 1/4′s. Eamonn Wyer#463 Moto#67 Result: Some good moto results got Eamonn to the 1/8′s but an outside gate pick meant he was up against it.
It’s been obvious for awhile now that young Abby Steacy has been getting faster and faster as the weeks go by, the regular trips to the British BMX Series are starting to pay off. She always looks pretty trick too in her stealthy mirrored goggles and matching gear so understandably it was only a matter of time before she got noticed by the talent scouts.
Neil Anyon from Greg Hill Products UK (GHP UK) has had an eye on Abby since the 2013 Manchester National and has seen the improvements, so much so that since the Preston round of the British Series Abby is now officially part of the GHP UK team! You couldn’t pick a better place for a young female BMX racer to be, she will be surrounded by brilliant female BMX talent. It’s not hard to get inspired by British Champion Louise Abbott or World #7 Libby Smith. If that’s not enough, GHP UK have also got one of the most naturally gifted BMX riders of our generation in French man Denis Teullet on the team.
Abby meeting her new team.
Abby in action in the UK
Greg Hill, the man behind GHP, is a legend in the BMX world. Greg dominated the Pro BMX ranks during the 1980′s winning countless titles in the US and internationally. Now Greg spends his time designing new products and training young riders. Greg will be in the UK coaching in the near future, be nice to Abby and she might hook you up.
Greg Hill in front as always
As you can imagine, Abby’s dad, Keith, is pretty delighted too “We are so happy for the chance, a big thanks to all at GHP UK for making Abby’s dream come true”. Keith will be travelling with Abby to the remainder of the 2014 UK Nationals and on into the 2015 series. Hopefully, they will bring some of Abby’s new team mates to this side of the Irish Sea for some racing and clinics. Mr. Teullet would love Ireland.
Abby will be rocking the GHP colours and the delicious 2014 GHP fame at a track near you soon, form an orderly queue to stare in jealously.
We are proud to announce that from 1st March 2014, BMX Ireland has become a Commission of the National Cycling Federation, Cycling Ireland. This is a major development for BMX Racing in Ireland as it recognises our Sport as a growing and progressing cycling discipline. The Membership of the Commission and its Terms of Procedure can be viewed on our ‘ABOUT‘ page.
Kelvin Batey, Ireland’s World Number 1 will be riding for GET Racing for the up coming 2014 season. As well as some heavy hitting BMX brands on board such as Prophecy BMX the team are looking pretty impressive to say the least. Along side Kelvin is his old team mate from Route 55, Dom Skidmore who is moving up to the Championship / Elite class. Making a return to racing is Emily Batey in the Championship Women. Expect GET Racing to rack up some serious points in the 2014 British Series.
See the press Release from GET Racing below and don’t forget that Kelvin is back in Ireland at the end of the month for more coaching sessions.
GET Racing
Press Release
After making their debut in the 2013 UK race season, GET Racing is pleased to announce their new team roster and sponsors for 2014.
With big long term plans for the next few years GET Racing have put together a group of riders and sponsors that will develop together under the guidance of Team Manager Scott Evans who’s passion and dedication to the team will keep driving things forward.
The team riders range from the 6 and under class all the way through to the Elite with 4 girls adding a bit of girl power to what is a very strong squad. With National, British and World Champions making up GET Racing for 2014 there is a good mix of ages, characters and abilities in which riders will be able to reach their full potential.
Ryan Evans6x Ralph Grimmett 7x Chad Hartwell 11x Mackenzie Rennison11x Jake Evans13x Terry Yates 15x Kody Evans15x Oliver Webley17-29x Dominic Skidmore Championship/Elite Kelvin BateyElite Chloe Yates8-9 girls Olivia Howard 13-14 girls Charlie Hartwell15-16 girls Emily BateyChampionship Women
As team coach and current Masters World Champion Kelvin Batey moves onto the team after 5 years of managing the Route 55 team. ” There is some regret in having to let the Route 55 squad go as we have had some very memorable and successful times but now with GET Racing I am looking forward to seeing where we can take these riders in their careers and hopefully help them get the results their potential is showing at the moment. It’s a very tight group of riders and parents so I’m already excited about racing in 2014. We are lucky to have such good support from the team sponsors and having rode the new Prophecy frame for the last few weeks I’m already seeing some improvements in different areas of my riding.”
Riding alongside Kelvin in the showcase UK class is his training partner Dominic Skidmore #555 who has made the move up to the Championship/Elite after a few successful years in the 17-29 category. ” With a few years of experience in the 17-29 class I think it’s time to take my riding to the next level and having enjoyed riding the pro sections for the last few years I feel I’m ready to compete with some of the best riders in the country. I’ve been on the team for almost half a year now and with some great support I hope I can also do well at the Europeans and Worlds next year.”
The team are proud to be supported by some great companies and thank them for this support for 2014 and beyond.
Corey Waller has had a good 2013! Number 1 in Ireland, Irish National Champion, number 1 Irish team and over in the UK he finished with an impressive National number 8 in the British BMX Series.
For 2013 Corey plied his trade for World Number One Kelvin Batey and his Route 55 team but for the 2014 British BMX Series Corey will be rockin’ the colours of Finelines Racing supported by Bomshell Components.
Corey’s winter training program in preparation for the first 2014 UK National (probably at the Manchester Indoor Arena during March) is due to kick off in mid November under the watchful eye of Kelvin.
Look for Corey to be out in front again for 2014 both in Ireland and the UK.
