4X (or what used to be known as BSX until the UCI re-christened it) is a new venture for the UK’s National Points Series. The first ever NPS 4X race took place at Apex Motocross park near Worcester on Sunday, with 94 riders banging elbows in mid-air to get those all-important series points.

There were some big names in the Elite category. You can get some idea of the quality of the field from the likes of Rich Batey, Nick Green, Dave Wardell and Scott Beaumont going out in the semi-finals. The Elite final was between Will Longden, Steve Peat, Martin Murray and Nigel Page. Longden got the holeshot, but was overhauled by Peat and Murray, with Peat taking the win.

There weren’t enough female riders to make a category, but Rachel Atherton raced in the Youth category anyway. Unfortunately she crashed while leading the semi-final and dislocated her shoulder. Get well soon… Ben Wookey won the Youth final.

Other winners were Mark Elvidge in Seniors (scoring a Playstation 2 – awarded to the winner of a different category each round, FUNN bars, BETD/Goldtec bar caps and an NPS 4X shirt for his trouble) and Alun Brooks in Masters.

So a pretty successful kick-off for the new series. The next round is May 11 at Broadway House, Cheddar – Round 1 of the South West DH series is on the 10th at the same venue, so make a weekend of it…

Full results are available here.