A trio of gifted siblings from Hackney is making significant strides in the BMX racing world, gearing up for a competitive year ahead.
Seventeen-year-old Thomas Millar is set to compete in this year’s World Championships in Brisbane, while his sisters, 14-year-old Katie and 10-year-old Phoebe, enter the season as reigning national champions in their respective categories.
Thomas expressed his enthusiasm, stating, „I love the community; it’s a fantastic sport. The adrenaline and the discipline of training to improve are what I enjoy the most.“ The family recently received a bursary from Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which will aid in funding their training and gym sessions.
Training at a Historic Venue
The siblings practice most Tuesdays at Lee Valley VeloPark in Stratford, east London, the same site that hosted BMX events during the London 2012 Olympics. Since BMX racing was introduced as an Olympic sport in 2008, its popularity has surged.
Team GB achieved its first medals in BMX racing at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, with Kai White from Peckham winning silver and Beth Shriever from Essex taking gold.
Julian Allen, a coach at the track, noted, „This footprint is exactly where the Olympic track was held. I witness the growth and potential of children from ordinary backgrounds who can aspire to become Olympic champions.“
Family Support and Personal Growth
The Millar siblings are known for their mutual support, with Thomas expressing immense pride in his sisters. Their parents, Alex and Andy, describe their children as „strong, confident, resilient kids,“ a quality they believe is fostered by the sport.
Alex commented, „This sport teaches them resilience. When you fall, you get back up. That’s the essence of riding a bike.“ Katie, who placed seventh in the UEC European Championships 2023 and represented Team GB in Copenhagen in 2025, shared, „During a race, I’m completely focused; I don’t think about anything else, and jumping is just so much fun.“
Phoebe, who secured third and first place in rounds three and four of the 2025 European Cup and also raced for Team GB at the 2025 World Championships in Copenhagen, began riding BMX at the age of two, having visited the track just four days after her birth. She remarked, „I love following them around on tracks, to school, everywhere,“ adding that her siblings have taught her, „I can achieve anything I set my mind to.“
Future Aspirations and Achievements
Thomas achieved third place at the 2025 British Championships, finished fourth overall in the National Series, and represented Team GB at the 2025 World Championships. All three siblings qualified for the 2026 World Championships in Brisbane, but only Thomas will attend after saving for his own ticket.
He stated, „I’m racing at the World Championships at an amateur level later this year and hope to elevate to elite level in the coming years. It’s already nerve-wracking, but it’s going to be an incredible opportunity.“ Previous recipients of the GLL’s Sport Foundation bursary include Olympic diver Tom Daley and former world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua. The award offers financial assistance, free training memberships, and sport-science support to help athletes develop.
Applications for the next round of awards are open until February 20.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Gabin Cobret auf Pexels
