Carpenter Josh Brazier and landscaper Ella Burchett take overall honours as 80 riders tackle Dyfi Bike Park.
The inaugural DEWALT Tradie Champs brought around 80 riders to Dyfi Bike Park in Wales on 28-29 October, with tradespeople from across the country swapping their tools for bikes and competing for the title of Britain’s fastest tradie.
Photos by Nils Bussink.
Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and a range of other trades were represented across two days of practice, seeding and racing.
The event used a modified course combining two of Dyfi’s best-known trails, Turns in the Ferns and Helter Skelter. The park’s dig crew introduced fresh loam sections and a reworked finish, bringing riders into a new finish arena in the main car park.
Wednesday’s practice and seeding took place in typical Welsh autumn weather, with intermittent rain and wet conditions. Thursday brought sunshine for the finals, although slick rocks and some greasy turns kept riders on their toes.
Josh Brazier, a carpenter, claimed the men‘s overall title with a winning time of 1:46.448. Electrician Josh Turner finished second in 1:47.114, with fellow electrician Adam Brayton third in 1:47.211.
The top three were separated by just 0.763 seconds, with only 0.097 seconds between second and third.
Brazier’s winning run was also just 0.448 seconds slower than the 1:46.000 benchmark set by Continental Atherton Racing rider Charlie Hatton during Wednesday’s practice.
“It’s been an awesome couple of days. The racing was so close, and it’s been really cool to see Dyfi hosting an event like this. Everyone’s been getting stuck in, having a laugh and putting down some seriously quick times. Hopefully this is the first of many. I’d love to see more racing here.” Charlie Hatton
In the women‘s overall competition, landscaper Ella Burchett took victory in 2:07.069, ahead of bricklayer Hollie Faith Vayro (2:12.186) and rail worker Charlotte Evans (2:15.100).
Individual category victories went to Toby Shillabeer (Bricklayer), Josh Brazier (Carpenter), Josh Turner (Electrician), Ben Baker (Plumber) and Nathan de Vaux (Men’s Open).
Beyond the racing, the event brought together riders from across the trades for two days of riding and a Wednesday evening gathering at Dyfi’s café, with music, food and drinks.
Prizes were provided by DEWALT and FOX Suspension, with support from the Dyfi Bike Park team, Atherton Bikes, Red Bull and Dyfi Bike Shed.
Overall it was a great first edition of the DEWALT Tradie Champs, and plenty to build on for next year.
A huge thanks to all the riders, marshals, dig crew, staff and partners who made it possible.
Hopefully we’ll see everyone back at Dyfi for more in 2027.
