Haydock Finance is celebrating a year of outstanding achievement for professional 4 Cross (4X) mountain bike racer Ian Forsyth from Great Harwood, following a season that saw him crowned British 4X Champion and finish 4th overall in the 4X Pro Tour, the pinnacle of the sport.

The sponsorship, provided through Haydock Finance’s employee charity scheme, enabled Ian to compete at the highest level of mountain biking both in the UK and across Europe. The scheme empowers employees to nominate a cause or individual that holds personal significance, allowing Haydock to directly support initiatives that matter most to its people.

Throughout 2025, Ian travelled across Europe competing in Italy, the Czech Republic, and Poland as part of the 4X Pro Tour, where he secured an impressive 4th place overall. Back on home soil, his determination and consistency across 10 British Championship rounds paid off as he claimed the overall British 4X title, earning the prestigious right to run the number 1 plate for the 2026 season.

Reflecting on his journey, Ian says “This has been the most incredible and intense season of my career. To win the British Championship and finish 4th in the Pro Tour is a dream come true. The support from Haydock Finance made a huge difference, from helping with travel to keeping my bike race-ready throughout the year. I’ve been proud to represent them at every event, and I can’t thank them enough for believing in me.”

Lea Lawrence, Head of Marketing at Haydock Finance, comments “We’re thrilled to see Ian achieve such phenomenal success this year. His discipline, determination, and professionalism perfectly reflect the values that drive Haydock Finance. Supporting Ian through our employee charity scheme has been a privilege, his achievements are an inspiration to our team and to aspiring athletes everywhere.”