‘I love the adrenaline of going fast’

A teenage BMX racer’s dream of qualifying for the Olympics and winning a medal has been given a major boost.

Jared Hill, 16, of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has been selected for the Great Britain Cycling Team Olympic Development Squad for 2025.

Jared, whose father Alan, 52, is a two-time world and four-time European BMX Champion, said: “It is a great opportunity.

“Beth Shriever and Kye Whyte both won Olympic medals in Tokyo. I would love to push myself and represent Team GB on the world stage, and compete with them.”

Jared, who has been racing for 11 years, rides for Norwich Flyers, Pure Bicycles and British Cycling.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in and test myself against better riders on bigger tracks in the Junior Men category this year,” he said.

A world finalist, in France in 2022, he has also won British and national titles and earned bronze at last year’s European Championships in Verona.

“I love racing – the adrenaline of going fast and all the people involved,” he told BBC Look East.

“My greatest strength is my power out of the [start] gate. It’s probably one of the most important parts of any BMX race, getting out in front.”

“I try to stay relaxed, so I can focus on the race. Knowing the gate is going to go down and there will be seven other people near me, vying for the same position; I enjoy all the pressure that comes with it.”

Shriever, who grew up in Essex, began racing as an eight-year-old and competed internationally as a teenager before winning gold at Tokyo 2020, aged 22.

“I got on the [Olympic development] programme when I was 12 or 13. It has changed a bit since then but I progressed through each stage and moved to Manchester when I was 18 to get help with funding and training,” she said.

Shriever said she had been following Jared’s development closely.

“He has come a long way since I first saw him. To see him now on the international stage and getting on the Olympic programme at the start of his journey, it is amazing,” she said.

“He is strong, he has a great build – which all the boys in the sport need – plus good technique and confidence. Jared has these attributes, which is great to see.”

The Olympic champion, who has now recovered from collarbone surgery following the Paris Olympics, said she had fond memories of “beating a few of the boys” around Jared’s home track at Sloughbottom Park, Norwich.

“It is now my full-time job, which is everyone’s dream in BMX, especially in the UK. We have a pathway to facilitate riders making a career of it,” she said.

She also believes her gold medal, and Whyte’s silver, has helped promote the sport, creating more opportunities for younger racers.

“I want to inspire the next generation, especially girls in BMX. For me, that is now part of my job,” she said.

Jared said he was looking forward to his first year at Junior Men level, which will lead to more international races, particularly around Europe.

He knows being part of the Olympic Development Squad brings extra responsibility.

“Over the last couple of years, I have really pushed forward with my training. I have made lifestyle changes,” he said.

“I focus on my sleep and my nutrition to find the key details to help improve my performance”.

After racing for 43 years, his father Alan is is well-placed to help.

“He is really putting the effort in and reaping the rewards, which is fantastic to see,” he said.

“Jared has already exceeded my technical capability when I was at my peak. I can probably help him with the mental side and build his confidence.”

“Now he is on the development team, he has to excel and continue making progress in the hope of becoming professional.”

Jared’s mother, Abi said she was very proud.

“He wants to go to the Olympics. It is his dream and we would love to see him get there. Hopefully he can,” he said.

Jared will be 19 come the LA28 Games, and Shriever hopes to be there, too, for her third Games. Further ahead is Brisbane 2032.

First things first, Jared’s domestic racing season begins in April, before the World Championships in Copenhagen in July.

His Olympic journey has begun.