Neal Wood first appeared on the UKBMX race scene in 1985 as an unknown rider aboard a Robinson. Racing a limited National schedule in the 13s age group, he still managed to earn a UKBMX National Number 6 plate and shocked the field at the Champion of Champions at Perry Park, taking the win over UKBMX Number 1 and European Champion Anthony Howells.
For the 1986 season, Neal backed it up in a big way. Now riding for Melanie Vauvelle’s Ultra BMX Team, he claimed both the UKBMX and NBMXA National Number 1 titles. In 1987, he continued his dominance across both associations, capping the year with the UKBMX Cruiser National title and the Cruiser Champion of Champions win.
By 1988, at just 16 years old and riding for Scorpion Axo, Neal decided he was done just collecting trophies and turned Superclass for the season. By the end of the year, he was both UKBMX Superclass and Supercruiser Number 1, defeating World Champion Andy Welsh and two time Superclass Number 1 Tom Lynch.
Over the next few years, Neal represented top teams including Titan, UGP, S&M and DK, continuing to win races before eventually making the move to the United States. In 1999, he captured the ESPN Huffy “Road to Glory” Series, taking home a brand new Kawasaki KX250 motorcycle, and later wrapped up his racing career riding once again for S&M.
Neal went on to compete in AA Pro, reach a World Championship Final in Canada in 1997, and earn AA Pro National wins in both the ABA and NBL circuits. He also claimed the prestigious NORA Cup.
Beyond racing, Neal became a highly respected name within the U.S. BMX scene, appearing on the covers of BMX Today, BMX Plus! and Snap Magazine, while also featuring regularly in Props Video Magazine.
Today, Neal is one of the key figures behind the scenes at Cult, designing products and helping shape the company into one of the most respected brands in modern BMX.
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