BMX freestyle delivered one of the most electrifying moments of the 2024 Olympic Games when 2023 World Champion Kieran Reilly captivated spectators and won the nation’s hearts with a dazzling display of aerial tricks on his way to winning the silver medal for Team GB. Kieran’s breathtaking performances in Paris helped put BMX freestyle firmly on the map.

We got a taste of that sheer, blood-pumping excitement when we attended a National Academy training day at the aptly-named Adrenaline Alley in Corby, Northamptonshire – Europe’s biggest indoor skate park, British Cycling’s official BMX freestyle Talent Development Centre, and the second home of BMX icon Kieran.

What better environment to explore our UK Coaching Week theme of building confidence.

We spoke to Team GB’s stars of the future, witnessing firsthand their indomitable self-belief and tenacity. 

These young talent pathway riders – aged 13 to 16 – embody the free-flowing spirit and dynamic energy of BMX freestyle, honing their skills with the support of dedicated coaches Rob Sidlow and Scott Hamlin.

We discussed the holistic benefits of BMX freestyle, including teamwork, dealing with setbacks, and building confidence. We also explored how coaches can cultivate resilience and a growth mindset by teaching riders how to embrace failure and overcome setbacks – vital attributes not only in BMX freestyle but in life. 

The sport naturally lends itself to developing these transferable skills, which quickly became evident during our morning’s filming.

“On day one, you try a skill, it doesn’t work. You try again; it still doesn’t work. You keep trying, and eventually, it starts to work. This mindset is ingrained in everything we do together.

“As a coach, it’s about supporting this mindset, encouraging it, and being the wind in their sails to help them better understand the journey they are on.”

“You have got to step out of your comfort zone quite a lot to learn and progress, otherwise you’ll just be at the same spot, and you won’t actually learn anything new.”

Scott is a British Cycling coach and former pro rider. A well-known face on the BMX freestyle circuit, he has invented several tricks still in use today. He owns a bike shop, designs and builds bikes, and serves as a national BMX freestyle judge.

He emphasises that helping riders deal with inevitable setbacks is an integral part of the job and says understanding the person behind the performer is a crucial first step on the journey towards developing a rider’s resilience to embracing failure.

“That foundation will inform how you deal with a person effectively when they encounter setbacks. Some people need time off the bike. Some people just need to be told to brush it off and go again. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s why it’s vital to get to know your riders and build a rapport and trust.”

As the riders showcased their spectacular skills, a recurring theme emerged in conversations with both coaches and riders: all talked of the camaraderie and teamwork that allows their creativity, motivation, and daring to flourish.

We are visiting on May 4th, unofficial Star Wars Day. You’ll forgive me then for stating that the Force is strong with these riders. Like Jedi Knights on bikes, their tricks are from another galaxy!

In keeping with the cosmic theme, the environment at Adrenaline Alley is like a swirling nebula of talent and ambition where riders inspire and propel each other to new heights. It is in this dynamic atmosphere that BMX freestyle stars are forged, their brilliance ignited by the collective energy and support of their peers.

“In this environment you get the elite riders riding with absolute beginners. Quite a lot of the time there is no separation,” explains Rob.

Harry Gorman, whose eyes light up when he says he dreams of representing Team GB at an Olympic Games, agrees: “It’s an insane feeling landing new tricks and having all your mates and coaches hyping it up and getting you in the mood for it. 

“I’ve known Scottie for quite a long time. I’ve done loads of shows with him in the past and I’ve got a really good relationship with him and Rob, Kieran too. They’re amazing. Because of the awesome career they’ve had themselves, they’re big role models to everyone.”

“For me personally,” adds Scott, “the togetherness and the family unity of BMX, being this tight-knit family where it doesn’t matter what background you are from, what skin colour you are, you are a bike rider to us… it’s wonderful.”

Freestyle BMX, says Rob, instils a completely different mindset from the second you start learning how to pull off double truck drivers, double bar spins, back flips and, who knows, eventually triple whips!

However, even more important than mastering competition-winning bike tricks is the acquisition of crucial life skills.

“You can just go on bike rides, ride around and have fun, and that’s great. But to learn and get any traction in this space you need to have some real grit and determination,” says Rob. “These tricks. You can’t learn them quickly. You can’t learn them overnight. It’s a layering exercise that takes a long time to figure out.

“In terms of holistic development, riders will be way ahead of their time in their ability to handle multiple pressures of life outside the bike.

As Scott puts it: “When you go into a job setting, you feel more confident, you have more self-belief and you know what drive it takes to get you to do something, because you have already learnt how to deal with setbacks and how to stick at things. If you don’t put the work in, you don’t get the results, and that translates into riders’ work ethic as well.”