Braintree Bullets BMX Club riders put in one last big challenge to add the East Anglian Regional Series title to the British crown they claimed the previous week but they had to settle for second this time.

There were a number of great individual performances at the final regional round in Peterborough but the gap between the Bullets and eventual winners Milton Keynes remained unassailable.

“The riders put on a great show and we’re really proud of them,” said lead coach Julian Allen. “The area where we lost out this year were the classes where we have riders riding up into older age groups to give themselves a bigger personal challenge. That stood us in great stead nationally, but allowed our competitors to close in regionally.

“Congratulations to Milton Keynes, though, as they really worked hard for it this year.”

Oliver Cates had a great day as he rode to third place in the six-and-unders, while the sevens saw Freia Challis continue her domination as she went unbeaten all day and Joseph Long was consistent in the eights to take a podium spot.

Josh Cates came from behind twice in the nines final and dug deep for the win and Cameron Parrish came close to a class win in the tens but had to settle for second.

Parrish also rode in the cruiser class, giving the older riders a reason to pedal and was chased home by club-mate Ewan Thomson in third.

Oli Cutmore was the best Bullet in the combined men’s cruiser class as he safely rode to second.

The mixed 11 to 12 class saw Joe Little take third, which was matched in the girls’ class by Roxy Hinton.

Matt Goodwins maintained his clean sheet to rack up another class win in the 13 to 14s class. Sydney Allen made up for his lack of power by dicing through the pack to take fourth and also took victory in the Cruiser class.

Charlie O’Grady had an awesome day with a class win in 15s and Oli Cutmore showed why he is world number five in the Superclass.

Cutmore led out the final and as the pack bunched into the first corner, he kept his head on the outside to push to the front, with Taylor Andrews following up with a gutsy performance for second.

The Bullets will now be travelling to Manchester over the August Bank Holiday weekend for the British Championships.