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Old School BMX 1980 - 1988 => Old School Race (riders ready, pedals ready... GO!!) => Topic started by: dialledbikes on July 15, 2008, 03:27 PM
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Looks like Kelvin Batey is out and Liam Phillips is in.
Discuss ::)
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:-[
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If thats the descision.....then its time for the BMX community to get behind the rider and support him and not start another personal slagging match as on the other forum. Go :Great_Britain: in the olympics :4_17_5:
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Is either of them likely to win?
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That is totally out of order, if it wasn`t for Kelvin there wouldn`t even be a male spot at the Olympics, BC should be ashamed of themselves :knuppel2:
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If thats the descision.....then its time for the BMX community to get behind the rider and support him and not start another personal slagging match as on the other forum. Go :Great_Britain: in the olympics :4_17_5:
I will be cheering for Liam as much as I would've cheered for Kelvin. Got nowt against the lad personally, but I have serious reservations about the way BC selected him and what motivated them to handle things the way they did.
Nothing can erase the fact that Kelvin Batey has been shat on from a great height by BC and someone less deserving/less talented will be representing Team GB in Beijing because of selection irregularities.
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Being new to BMX I'm not up on it enough to comment on how either of them ride TBH but how Kelvin has been treated is absolutely disgusting.... The pics of the track that were taken at Switzerland looked a totally rubbish quality track, looked like someone had made it in their back yard.... They shouldnt of even been there to be honest, as Bill said Kelvin won the Male place so Kelvin should have been sent.
Chloe and Nicholas are new into their BMX careers and I have absolutely no confidence in BCF already... their behaviour is disgusting. They charge us a fortune at nationals and we have zero input into the sport. :tickedoff:
Sharon xx
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I've been following this on that other forum which hasn't been easy since all the reports seem to be biased one way or another and there seems to have been a lot of unnecessary abuse thrown in with it. As I don't know any of the riders involved I'd say that my viewpoint was a neutral one.
BC's handling of the whole affair has come in for a lot of criticism imho some justified, some not. What I don't feel is acceptable is the abuse that has been directed at the riders (and in some cases, their families).
Like it or lump it, the way that the IOC works is that they will only deal with one organiser for each sport and for the UK, as BMX comes under cycling, that is BC. They have laid down certain criteria they riders need to meet to be selected to represent the UK at various levels. As I understand it, they did not believe that a UK (mens)rider was likely to have achieved a high enough placing in the World's to gain the UK an Olympic place and did not appear to have been prepared for this occuring. That's definitely their fault as they should have had a clear plan laid down, just in case.
Anyway, they then decided to drop Kelvin from their team (I don't know the reasons behind this), but with the assistance of member's of the BMX community, Kelvin was able to compete in Shanghai and it was his performance that won the UK an Olympic spot.
Now a lot of people think that that should have meant Kelvin should be the one to represent the UK and I can see their point of view, but that isn't the way things work, and that holds true for many sports and I'm told that it was known to the riders that if any did perform to a level that the UK would gain a place, then that place was for the UK, not necessarily for the rider that gained it.
So, they had to decide, and this is where they laid themselves open to criticism for not having had a plan laid out earlier. Firstly it was going to be resolved by current national standings or performance at a national (I'm a bit unclear on the exact details here) anyway this didn't work out so they decide to hold a trial. To me this seems fine, not too different from other nations (Canada had a 2 rider shoot out on a 2 time trial, 3 moto basis etc). What I found disappointing (to say the least) was that it had to be held abroad (I'm assuming that means we don't have a suitable facility in this country, which is quite frankly a disgrace), and then the way it was conducted seems fairly shambolic (riders made to take risks jumping unsuitable jumps, officials not having keys, lack of first aid etc etc).
So the upshot of it all is that GB will be represented by Liam Philips. I hope everyone gets behind him because I don't feel that having splits is going to do anything for the promotion of BMX in the UK. I feel extremely sorry for Kelvin after all his hard work, but I feel the thing that really needs to come out of this whole episode is that there needs to be a shake up in the way that BC deal with BMX to take it up to a professional level.
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Longun,
Understand where you're coming from mate, the personal slanging matches that went on and the criticism of peoples families was bang out of order, however, BCF have not handled this well at all. I've just posted this up on Talk and i stand by what i said, i wont be in any hurry to renew our BCF licences.........
"I'm absolutely gob smacked.
Kelvin fought for the place, he qualified it, i cannot believe that BCF have done this to him.
TBH the whole thing was a shambles from start to finish, i dont blame the other 3 who went to aigle, who wouldn't given the opportunity but i cant help feeling that BCF got what they wanted by hook or by crook.
The integrity of BCF has been seriously questioned over the last few weeks and quite rightly so, i guess you could say that after this fiasco i wont be rushing to renew our BCF licences :tickedoff:
Liam whilst i wish you good luck i really feel 2012 was the time for you........
Kelvin, do your own thing now, get out to the states and make yourself a life away from the BCF Bullshit, you're too good for em mate.
Kelvin is one of if not the nicest, most grounded kids, he's fought long and hard through injury to get to where he has, i for one hope he looks after :4_17_5: now and makes himself some cashola by racing stateside and sets himself up nicely for his future :daumenhoch:
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^^^^^^ :daumenhoch:
Liam 2012 Definately. Watching his races in the States earlier this year on G0211,he has EVERY chance if he continues to develop, but i agree, an injury free Kelvin should have been going to Bejing. This was his first & last chance i felt and after demonstrating his worth he SHOULD have got the nod.
But what do i know. :-X
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Dont count Kelvin out for 2012, If he uses this as motivation, the Kelvin Batey I know will come back fighting fitter/stronger and faster than ever :2gunsfiring_v1:
I feel that the way this has all been handled has had a detrimental effect on BMX racing in this country and think along with fuel prices it will effect National attendance next year
:) DINGO :)
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an interesting thought has just been raised on Talk, surely we have more of an affiliation with the MX community than the BCF roadies and lycra crew........
Can there be a negotiation to affiliate etc, it may be another can of worms but WTF do we do with the current situation, we (as a family) wont be supporting Nationals next year and probably not even Regionals as i point blank refuse to renew our licenses with BCF after this farcical display, any other options peeps ???
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Dont count Kelvin out for 2012, If he uses this as motivation, the Kelvin Batey I know will come back fighting fitter/stronger and faster than ever :2gunsfiring_v1:
I feel that the way this has all been handled has had a detrimental effect on BMX racing in this country and think along with fuel prices it will effect National attendance next year
:) DINGO :)
I think I will do 4X nationals and BMX regionals instead of nationals next year.
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have any of you lot sent mail to the BCF about your thoughts.
or are they deaf to the sound of there own trumpet.
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BC have us over a barrel Dan, so all complaints fall on deaf ears. No alternative governing body to move to and even if there was the UCI only deals with BC.
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I think I will do 4X nationals and BMX regionals instead of nationals next year.
Are the 4X nationals a BCF event too?
I'm just wondering how I could get some decent races without giving BC my cashola. Wonder if we could do a national type no clips event, or something like that?
I bet Scott D (Uncle Buck) could sort a series out that would outdo the national series.
It'll even get in the magazines as they said they're happy to cover no clips racing.
Just an idea; whaddaya think?
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Sorry to sound blonde here but we're fairly new to BMX .... are BCF not answerable to anybody at any point??? Am I right in thinking we have no say in who represents the British BMX community??
The way they have gone about this is disgraceful and I notice that they have said absolutely nothing publicly during any of this cock up. We must be an even bigger laughing stock all over the world.
Nicholas is actually getting quite into his BMX now so I think we're cutting our nose off to spite our face if we dont get him a licence for next year but to think this is what the governing body is like for this sport disgusts me and if there was an alternative we would definately use it.
Sharon xx
P.S. Sorry Matthew I didnt realise was logged in on your name when I posted earlier :-*
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shame that such ashame i wonder if hes a reserve or a wild card then couldnt the bmx community take things higher
to the next level to voice its concerns.
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I wonder if there was an alternative governing body wether the UCI would be forced to deal with them as they'd have to if they wanted a UK BMX team at the Worlds and the Olympics.
I don't think we're as tied to the BCF as we think.
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I think I will do 4X nationals and BMX regionals instead of nationals next year.
Are the 4X nationals a BCF event too?
I'm just wondering how I could get some decent races without giving BC my cashola. Wonder if we could do a national type no clips event, or something like that?
I bet Scott D (Uncle Buck) could sort a series out that would outdo the national series.
It'll even get in the magazines as they said they're happy to cover no clips racing.
Just an idea; whaddaya think?
Unfortunately, it is BC affiliated, but because it's a very small sport and BC leave it to sort itself out and it's pretty much run by a guy called Chris Roberts. The races I have attended have been very laid back and slickly run. There's no equivalent of the BMX Commission in 4X and no independent track owners/race promoters to hold the sport to ransom.
I'll still do BMX regionals cos I think love being part of the South region and think our regionals are better than nationals anyway.
The only downer for me about not doing nationals is not being there for my team or seeing the friends I have made on the national circuit.
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I`d quite like to have a go at 4x Mike, I think I`ll have a go after the race season has finished and see if it`s to my liking :daumenhoch:
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You cant let BCF push you out of BMX it just isnt right !!!!!
Would it be possible for us to all make a stand at Burnham??? Does anyone have any ideas what we could do to get their attention?
Sharon xx
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I`d quite like to have a go at 4x Mike, I think I`ll have a go after the race season has finished and see if it`s to my liking :daumenhoch:
Bill, you will love it at Chicksands, and it's quite cruiser friendly in the dry. It's always full of BMX'ers like me, Miles, Jules and the Braintree posse in the BMX close season.
I've enjoyed doing the nationals this year and making new friends like Bof, Russ, Dave Herman, Billy Fieldhouse etc, but the way BMX is at the moment, I will get my buzz from the regionals and not give so much to a federation that treats us like crap.
Me and Spillers were even talking about doing a few of the Euro BMX rounds next season Bill, are you up for it?!
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The people involved in running a national event have absolutley nothing to do with the olympic selection committee. Don't take it out on them.
Not attending a race will not make anyone stand up and say opp's i got that wrong here's my resignation.
BCF don't need us we dont put a significant amount of money into their coffers and until shinny was on the scene we didn't get them any global exposure.
We however do need them, unless we want to be sued every time someone hurts themselves at a track.
What sort of a stand would we be making exactly?
BCF are involved in BMX at all levels, all clubs have to be affiliated for insurance purposes and all riders should have a license for insurance purposes. So even just doing regionals has a link to BCF.
Zippy said eariler in this thread "would either of them win?" true answer....no probably not this time around.
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I`d quite like to have a go at 4x Mike, I think I`ll have a go after the race season has finished and see if it`s to my liking :daumenhoch:
Bill, you will love it at Chicksands, and it's quite cruiser friendly in the dry. It's always full of BMX'ers like me, Miles, Jules and the Braintree posse in the BMX close season.
I've enjoyed doing the nationals this year and making new friends like Bof, Russ, Dave Herman, Billy Fieldhouse etc, but the way BMX is at the moment, I will get my buzz from the regionals and not give so much to a federation that treats us like crap.
Me and Spillers were even talking about doing a few of the Euro BMX rounds next season Bill, are you up for it?!
I don`t see why not Mike :daumenhoch:
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4x rules, its made for bmxers, easier (pysically) than bmx cos theres not as much pedalling involved, & the reason a lot of people dont do the jumps in bmx is lack of speed, jumping 4x is way easier cos you have loads more speed because of the hill!
Hell of a lot of fun, i would recomend it to any bmxers, you'll do well!
when i've raced motocross & enduros before, the ACU do things properly & the BCF should look at how they do things & take note.
i.e. a race licence is £30, if you buy a temp day licence 3 times they automatically send you a permanent licence cos you've paid them £30 already, things like that give you faith that there not money grabbing.
Bill, Mike & all the other 40+ guys, i'd love to line up on the gate with you lot at 4x, do it!!! ;)
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this whole affair has just reaffirmed what I already thought really....that to anyone who doesnt/hasnt rode bmx think of it as just a silly little sport with silly little bikes to ride until you are big enough to ride a proper bike...
Such a shame
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dirt+two wheels=racing=fun.
I've raced them all, they're all the same, big bikes, little bikes, raced bmx at THE BEGINING (in the uk) 1980, racing bmx now & enjoying it more than ever!
Full circle.
bmx=life.
Racing=life.
Everything else=waiting to race!
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I`d quite like to have a go at 4x Mike, I think I`ll have a go after the race season has finished and see if it`s to my liking :daumenhoch:
Bill, you will love it at Chicksands, and it's quite cruiser friendly in the dry. It's always full of BMX'ers like me, Miles, Jules and the Braintree posse in the BMX close season.
I've enjoyed doing the nationals this year and making new friends like Bof, Russ, Dave Herman, Billy Fieldhouse etc, but the way BMX is at the moment, I will get my buzz from the regionals and not give so much to a federation that treats us like crap.
Me and Spillers were even talking about doing a few of the Euro BMX rounds next season Bill, are you up for it?!
I don`t see why not Mike :daumenhoch:
Was also good meeting you Mike and count me in for euro rounds really enjoyed the france trip this year and at £75 for race fee, petrol, ferry and hotel miles cheaper than an english national, china also rocked although a bit expensive :daumenhoch:
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Is there any 4x going down up north?
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dirt+two wheels=racing=fun.
I've raced them all, they're all the same, big bikes, little bikes, raced bmx at THE BEGINING (in the uk) 1980, racing bmx now & enjoying it more than ever!
Full circle.
bmx=life.
Racing=life.
Everything else=waiting to race!
Got to agree with Keith. I had raced XC, DH, (though not at Keiths level), since givin up in 86, but never realy got that excited. BUT!. Since I started racing these little bikes again in October I cannot wait for the next race. My rides to work now, (on a road bike), are purely training, and the real riding has become once again what it should be. 8 on gate, (or 4). Im amazed how good this season has been despite being a bit injured still after MK, (still hope to come Sunday, but it will be a Sunday decision), and cant wait for the next season already. Season after that my boy will be racing I hope at the age of 4. Will be happy days, he loves bike already.... SMART...........
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Bmx families rule!!
You wait till he is on the Gate Matt, it'll be :D :'( >:D :angel: :coolsmiley: :smitten: :smitten: :2gunsfiring_v1: all at the same time!
Come to Daggers even if you just roll out of the gate!
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It's a shame Kelvin didn't get the Olympics place and that he was subjected to the ordeal of the trials in which he so badly knocked himself about - just had a PM from him and it's not surprising he underperformed on Tuesday with the injuries he sustained!! We must now put our prejudices aside, forget the past and focus on the future of BMX through its exposure in the Olympics.
The real winners in all this will be the BMX clubs that welcome the new blood that will flock to their tracks once they see what this crazy sport of ours is all about. We must build on the exposure and if anyone on here isn't involved with a local club then I would urge you to do so as the more 'experienced' riders to hand the better the clubs will be able to deal with the questions they will inevitably get.
Liam Phillips and Shanaze Reade for :4_17_5:
Humps
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Those of you thinking of doing 4x...I can honestly say its brilll. I did my first one at Bridgenorth this year and i was soooo impressed. Cannot understand why more don't do it. Like all mtb series they are run by individuals under the umburella of B.c so less involvement from them seems to equal a better atmosphere. Gary Gray woz there and did real well. Don't have a go to make a point....Have a go cos its a larf!!! :) :)
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I'd love to have a go at this next year at some point.
Do you need full suss or is a hardtal bike better?
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Hardtail is the one!!
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They introduced a full sus category this year but no-one really bothered. Get any decent hardtail and single crown forks 80-130mm and go woooosh. ;) Great fun. Can't wait for next one.