A HEREFORDSHIRE man has made a spectacular return to BMX biking after 21 years away from the Olympic sport, writes IAN MORGAN.

Tony Baldwin has been snapped up by a major sponsor and is ranked second in the national series.

He has gained global recognition for his trademark ‘nosediving’ move.

Tony, 35, has just secured third place in the cruiser section at the City of Peterborough British BMX Championships.

He also took second place at the Peterborough event in the masters category on the 20 inch.

There are two different types of BMX race bike: the 20 inch (an everyday BMX bike with 20 inch wheels) and the 24 inch cruiser (a slightly bigger bike with 24 inch wheels).

Tony was just a 13-year-old schoolboy when he carried off the National BMX Association Apocalypse crown in 1987.

Now, after a two-decade break from the sport, Tony has returned to the saddle, He is competing in the 2008 British Cycling BMX National Series, with his seven-year-old son, Taylan.

Taylan has also impressed, finishing sixth in his section at British BMX Championships.

The Almeley Primary School pupil is ranked 10th in the national series in the seven-year-old age section.

Tony has been riding this season in the Cruiser, 30 to 39-year-old section, for SE Racing.

Tony’s trademark ‘nosediving’ has taken him on to the SE Racing website where he is advertising the company’s landing gear forks.

Half-way through the series, Tony chose to ride in the 20 inch section and won a national event at Chesterfield.

There are 12 rounds in the British Cycling BMX National Series and the pair have already completed nine stages.

The father-and-son partnership train in Tredegar, South Wales, at the national standard Parc Bryn Bach cycle track.

But Tony is speaking to Herefordshire Council about the possibility of building a new BMX track on the old site at Westfaling Street in Hereford.

He said: “There are more tracks being built around the country. We hope that the discussions with the council will go well and we, too, can soon have our track back to at least a regional standard.

“We could then host BMX and other bike sports in Hereford and bring some vital revenue for both the sport and the city.”

The Baldwins would like to thank the continued support from G M Joyce Tarmacing, Holmer Stores and Canon Motors.

Tony Baldwin has made a sensational return to the sport of BMX biking.

The Herefordshire man’s trademark ‘nosediving’ move has gained widespread acclaim from fans of the sport.

Baldwin is ranked second in the national series.