McGuire back in the saddle
A BMX racer from Earl Shilton has come back from a devastating injury to compete in the world championships.
John McGuire, 45, will be competing in 30C-plus heat at the BMX World Championships in South Carolina in America.
His wife and daughter are going along to support him.
Last year he was rushed to hospital with a perforated spleen and internal bleeding, after falling off his bike while practising in Nottingham.
His spleen was removed, and he is now on a life-long course of penicillin to maintain his immune system.
Despite his injuries, John was one of eight UK riders to qualify for the world championships, and will be competing in the men’s 45-49 cruiser category, at Rock Hill.
This is the first time he’s qualified for the competition, which he decided to make his last outing, having seen the effects of his 2016 crash.
He said: “I came eighth in the national qualifiers, so I’m not expecting to get that far.
“But things can change when you’re riding. As I know, accidents do happen and people drop out. I’m just hoping I don’t come last.”
His wife Louise, 41, took up BMX riding about four years ago, inspired by watching races, and she competes at regional and national level, in the women’s 30+ cruiser category.
In 2016, she came third in the Midlands region and 19th in the national series, and she will be competing at the British Championships in August in Derby.
Their daughter Charlotte, 10, attends Newlands Primary School in Burbage, and is also a budding BMX racer.
John said: “I don’t put any pressure on them to race. We understand the risks involved.
“I used to play rugby, so I’m used to picking up injuries.”
John works as a HGV driver, often going through Daventry Rail Freight Terminal, while Louise is a credit controller.
They are all members of Nuneaton BMX Club and they also train at Earl Shilton BMX pump track.
The family are part of a small race team called Everyone Active BMX, which is mostly sponsored by Everyone Active, a sports centre company based in Watling Drive in Hinckley.
The Therapy Station in Wheatfield Way is also a sponsor, which helped John through his 10-month recovery from the accident.
Most weekends they travel across the country to take part in regional and national competitions.
The BMX World Championships are running from July 23 to 30.