BMX daredevil Reilly bidding to dominate discipline ahead of Paris

By Ben Hart

Gateshead BMX sensation Kieran Reilly insists he’s far from a one-trick pony and wants to dominate his discipline on the run-in to the Paris Olympics.

Last year, Reilly became the first rider to perform the much-vaunted triple flair trick and has since sought to justify his place in the history books.

It has come off, like most things the 22-year-old attempts, as he upgraded European silver to gold on Team GB debut in Krakow.

“Being introduced as the European champion definitely felt nice,” said Reilly. “It brings a little bit of pressure to make sure you’re producing at these comps and riding to that level.

“The biggest expectation is on myself, and you don’t want to break the run or stop that streak. The expectation builds and that’s good.

“It’s a big confidence booster and changing how I feel at a competition, going from being someone who turns up to being a contender for the podium.

“It took me a minute to switch my mindset to that. I know I’m not even at my peak yet and I know what I can change to achieve the bigger steps.”

Reilly is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing him to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – this is vital for his pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

Reilly’s first challenge is to get Great Britain qualified for the Olympics. He, or one of his team-mates, can do that by winning a medal at August’s World Championships in Glasgow.

He’ll also be propelled by unfinished business in the battle for rainbow jerseys having crashed out of last year’s World Championships.

A maximum of two British riders could compete in BMX freestyle in the French capital, with Reilly combining and competing with Tokyo bronze medallist Declan Brooks.

Brooks said: “To get us both to Paris next year is the ultimate goal.

“Kieran and I train together every day, so we always see each other riding and see what we’re doing tricks wise.

“We ride very differently, Kieran does a lot of the bigger tricks, a lot more tail whips, bar spins and the bigger combination tricks whereas I tend to do bigger double flips and spins and try and get a bit more creative on the course.

“It’s always hard to judge that and put a score to a line on a course but that’s the way I like to ride and that’s what I enjoy.

“For the next year it’s more about supporting each other to get to where we want to go to and then we’ll both end up at the Olympics if all goes well.”

Reilly added: “Dec has experienced it and unfortunately for him it was Covid so going to a multisport Games where everything was accessible opened my eyes to what it would be like if we qualify.

“Me and Dec are riding the best we’ve ever ridden, we’re getting the best result we’ve ever had.

“Going into Worlds with the opportunity to get a spot so far from Paris would just be a lot of weight off our shoulders and that opens up an opportunity to get both of us at the Olympics.”

With the Paris 2024 Olympics only one year away, the Games are set to inspire people and communities all across the country. Reilly hopes that by sharing his story it will give others motivation to get involved into sport.

And speaking on the impact of The National Lottery’s support, Reilly added: “The biggest thing The National Lottery has helped me with is being able to surround myself with other BMX riders and like-minded athletes who are training towards the same goals.

“Being able to move away from home, ride the best facilities in the UK and change from being a semi-pro to a professional athlete and doing this full time.

“All I can say is a massive thank you to everyone who has bought a National Lottery ticket.

“The National Lottery has helped me to become the best version of myself in my sport – I wouldn’t be where I am now without it, I wouldn’t be national champion or European champion without having this support.”

National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #TNLAthletes #MakeAmazingHappen