2 days ago
Bradford Bandits return from 'unforgettable' experience with Team GB in Denmark
A GROUP of BMX riders from Bradford have returned home after an unforgettable experience competing for Team GB at this year's UCI BMX World Championships.
The competition spanned from July 24-31, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and six riders from Bradford Bandits BMX Racing Club attended the event.
Of those six who attended were Andy Groves (42) and son Tobias (10), as well as Tony Le Brasse and his son Charlie, plus Oliver James and Nigel Smith.
To qualify for the competition, each individual had to rank in the top-16 places for their respective age groups on a national level, with races taking place in Glasgow, Birmingham, Kent and Manchester in the lead up to the World Championships.
Despite not coming away with any medals from Denmark, Groves, whose wife Emily is the chairperson at Bradford Bandits, admitted that it was an experience that will stay with him forever.
He said: 'Overall, I was pleased with my riding and, although I didn't get through to the knockout stages, the whole event was crazy and I won't ever forget it - that's for sure.
'It exceeded expectations, and to be at such a big event with over 3,000 riders from all over the world was surreal.'
He added: 'There is such a buzz when you're out there because you're with all the other GB riders, you're seeing riders from different countries with their respective colours on and everyone is really friendly.
'It made for an amazing occasion.'
Both Andy, who competed in the 40-44 ace category, and his son Tobias, who raced in the U10s age category, spent just short of a week in Denmark after a long journey to get there.
Reflecting on their stay, he said: 'Me and Tobias drove to Copenhagen, which was an experience in itself, and then it was about getting our UCI numbers and wristbands sorted on the first day.
'Day two was for practice, and we ended up training with the Estonian and Australian teams, which was a cool experience.
'We had another practice session on day three and then it was race day on the fourth day for me, whereas Tobias competed the day after."
He added: "I've got to admit that competing at World level was slightly daunting.
"There are so many eyes watching you with it being streamed around the world; then you've only get seven other riders at the starting point with you and you're also representing Team GB.
"Reflecting on it, I know for next time that I need to do even more training, but I've certainly got the buzz for it now and I already want to compete next year."
Around 3,000 BMX riders assemble for the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark (Image: Supplied) Discussing how both he and Tobias got into BMX racing, Andy said: "We got heavily involved with the Bradford Bandits through Covid.
"Tobias started racing before me and that gave me the inspiration to get involved.
"We both started off racing regionally, which we did for around a year, and then we started to race nationally. From there we've grown and grown."
Andy was full of praise for local club Bradford Bandits and has encouraged more people within the district to get involved with the sport.
He said: "They've (Bradford Bandits) had a massive impact on both (Tobias too) of our journeys to get to World Championship level.
"My wife, Emily, is the chairperson for the club, and if we didn't have the racing track so close to home, then I don't think any of us would be BMX racing.
"There are only so many tracks available to us in the North of England, most of them being in Manchester, so it's great that we have the Bradford Bandits on our doorstep."
He added: "The club is continuing to grow and it's getting bigger and better as time moves forward.
"For anyone who is contemplating starting, I would say grab a bike and give it a go.
"It's such a blast, it's such a buzz and also it's a real adrenaline rush."
For anyone interested in starting BMX racing, training nights are priced at £3 and includes BMX bike and helmet. Contact: info@ for more information.
