Did you know BMX bike racing has been an Olympic sport since its introduction at the Beijing Games in 2008? And this year Bexhill BMX track is celebrating one of its riders qualifying to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris. The racing is being held on 1 and 2 August.
Team rider Dean Reeves rides for the JumpClub team, which is based at Bexhill BMX track. The track is now in its 40th year.
Dean qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics after winning the 2023 African Continental Cup. He will represent Morocco in the Games.
Dean joined JumpClub because of the team’s ethos to get ‘more people stoked on BMX’ and to celebrate the different characters in the crew, not just the winners.
Dean has coached several times in Sidley and mentors the riders at the UK races.
JumpClub
The club runs five weekly sessions in Sidley for complete beginners to experts. New riders are especially welcome as the club aims to reach-out further into the local community.
Although based in Sidley, JumpClub prides itself as an international team with team riders in the US and around the UK.
Not only does Dean inspire young people in Sidley, a JumpClub London Chapter now has several London-based racers wearing the club’s jersey. This means Sidley-based riders get to hang-out with their London-based team mates at the various races all over the country.
Keith Duly founded JumpClub. He was inducted into the British BMX Hall of Fame in 2023.
Keith said: “The best thing about BMX is travelling, meeting people and being part of a community. Dean is the perfect role model. He races the World Cup series and still finds time to support the JumpClub crew and wears our jersey when racing in the UK. We can’t wait to shout at the telly when he races at the Olympics this summer.”
The real Bexhill BMX heroes
Club volunteers are the real heroes behind JumpClub. They maintain the track and have begun to refurbish the jump area, which will broaden the clubs appeal. The track is open to the public at all times.
JumpClub is part of Bexhill Jump Park CIC and are keen to encourage new riders and collaborations with any partners who want to support.
Please see www.JUMPCLUB.uk for more details or contact the club via their social media channels.