North Canterbury teenager Trent Jones was the best of the New Zealand riders in seventh place at the Oceania BMX Championships in Brisbane last night.

The former Northland rider, fifth in the junior elite final at last year’s world championships, impressed with a strong showing at the Sleeman Sports Complex, with the Oceania title going to 2011 world champion Sam Willoughby (AUS).

The event drew all of Australia’s leading riders as well as some of the BikeNZ High Performance team as a valuable racing opportunity in the lead-up to July’s UCI World Championships in Auckland.

London Olympian Kurt Pickard aggravated a back aliment after a crash in the time trial. He impressed with a win and two second placings in the heats but a lengthy break was less than helpful for his injured back and the Tauranga rider missed the gate to finish eighth in the semifinal.

Waikato-based Cantabrian Daniel Franks did not make the semifinals while Te Awamutu rider Cody Hobbs was fifth in the junior elite final.

“This was a good opportunity for racing experience,” said BikeNZ BMX Coach Ryan Hollows. “The riders are all in a heavy training phase so we were not expecting too much.

“Trent is an outstanding prospect who raced well but was slightly disappointed with seventh in the final although he drew a bad gate.

“Kurt had nursed his back issue throughout but the crash aggravated things and he struggled out of the gate after the break in racing.

“Daniel has been in some heavy work and his result was not unexpected and Cody showed he can foot it with this company and will be a real force at the world championships.”

Jones, 19, from Kaiapoi won his opening heat with a sixth and third placings in the other two races qualifying him for the semifinals where he finished third.

Pickard (Tauranga) grabbed a win and two second placings to top his moto while Franks drew a tough moto and could not progress with two fifths and a sixth placing.

The US-based Willoughby, one of the early favourites for the world championships in Auckland, was in a class of his own. He was fastest in the time trial qualifying, and won all three motos, his semifinal and final to set the benchmark.

Top qualifier at the London Olympics, Caroline Buchanan (AUS) took out the women’s title from former junior world champion Melinda McLeod and fellow Olympian Lauren Reynolds.

The quartet return to New Zealand tomorrow with the full squad, including Olympic silver medallist, to head for training and racing in the USA in two weeks time as they prepare for the world championships, to be held on home turn at Vector Arena on 24-28 July.

Tickets go on sale for the public later this month.

Oceania BMX Championships, elite men final: Sam Willoughby (AUS) 1, Joshua Callan (AUS) 2, Anthony Dean (AUS) 3. Also: Trent Jones (NZL) 7.

Elite women: Caroline Buchanan (AUS) 1, Melinda McLeod (AUS) 2, Lauren Reynolds (AUS) 3.
Junior men: Aaron Nottle (AUS) 1, Kerrod Connors (AUS) 2, Kai Sakakibara (AUS) 3. Also: Cody Hobbs (NZL) 5.

A record New Zealand team of more than 800 will content the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships to be held in Auckland.

The championships, expected to attract 2500 riders from more than 30 countries, will be staged on 24-28 July at Vector Arena in downtown Auckland.

As hosts, New Zealand is entitled to up to 32 riders in some classes in the championships, which has resulted in an unprecedented level of interest in the qualifying events, with more than 1000 event entries at last weekend’s national championships in Cambridge.

The Challenge classes (age groups) will contest their world championship races on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 July for both the normal competition and Cruiser class, ridden on bikes with larger diameter wheels.

Friday is set aside for elite practice with the elite world championships to be contested on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July.

There are a number of standouts in the New Zealand team to contest the Challenge classes, with riders competing from the 5-6 years division to the oldest competitor, 73 year old Tony Rika (Hamilton).

Rick, believed to be the oldest competitive BMX rider in the world, will take part alongside his grand-daughter Alice Rika (Papakura) who has been selected in the women’s 17-24 years division of the cruiser class.

There’s interest in the return of former national champion Richie McLachlan, who was one of the early international BMX riders of note in this country. McLachlan, from the Papakura club, is now a coach in the sport and will contest the 40-44 years age group.

Tauranga mother Vanessa Quin also secured her spot in the team after winning her division at the national championships. Quin is a former world downhill mountain bike champion, and has returned to the sport that began her interest in cycling.

There are a number of both past and present BMX World Champions in the team including the likes of last year’s winner of the nine years age group, Rico Bearman (Waitakere) and super popular Rotorua rider Dave Mohi who will contest the men’s 30 years plus and the 40-44 years cruiser class.

Details: www.bikenz.org.nz or BMX World Championship: www.bmxworldsnewzealand.com

Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker and world No 7 ranked Marc Willers will lead a strong New Zealand team named today for July’s UCI BMW World Championships in Auckland.

A 15-strong team has been named today by BikeNZ for elite racing at the championships to be staged at Vector Arena on 24-28 July.

New regulations limiting the qualifying numbers for the New Zealand team resulted in some strong competition for places in the team named at the conclusion of a summer series selection events and the national championships in Cambridge.

The Californian-based Willers is the only rider to gain automatic entry based on his world ranking, while Walker was selected on her 2012 performances that culminated in her silver medal in London. She had recovered from a dislocated shoulder to compete at the Olympics but has since undergone surgery to repair the shoulder, returning to her bike for the first time last week.

BikeNZ coach Ryan Hollows said the selectors were excited by the depth of talent.

“There is good depth in both elite men and junior men, while the team will be well led by the experience of Marc Willers and Sarah Walker,” Hollows said. “It will be interesting to watch our younger riders develop through to the championships and over the next couple years.”

Hollows said while the championships were the clear focus and an exciting opportunity for the sport in this country, the selectors also took a longer term view with their choices.

“It is the first time that New Zealand has ever hosted the BMX World Championships and that is going to be very exciting for our sport. With it being staged at the Vector Arena it is also a superb opportunity for us to profile the sport at the highest level to New Zealanders.

“At the same time we are looking for riders that have the ability to contribute towards securing Olympic qualifying places for 2016 and the ability to win a medal in Rio. For some of the riders the next 18 months will be spent developing towards that objective.”

London Olympian Kurt Pickard (Tauranga) has retained his place in the team along with Matt Cameron (New Plymouth) and Daniel Franks (Christchurch). The newcomers include Kaiapoi’s Trent Jones, up from the junior ranks, and Trent Woodcock (Pukekohe), who was a double junior world championship medallist two years ago.

Walker will be joined by New Plymouth’s Victoria Hill in the elite women’s team, with the Taranaki rider dominating the weekend competition and competed in last year’s world championships in Birmingham.
The team members who are part of BikeNZ’s High Performance unit will complete a training camp next week with combinations to compete at the Oceania Championships in Brisbane next month and six weeks of racing in the USA in June and early July. That group will complete a final training camp in Brisbane before the world championships.

The Challenge (age group) team will be confirmed later this week.

The BikeNZ elite team for the UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland on 24-28 July is:

Elite men: Marc Willers (Cambridge), Kurt Pickard (Tauranga), Matt Cameron (new Plymouth) Trent Jones (Kaiapoi), Daniel Franks (Christchurch), Trent Woodcock (Pukekohe). Reserves: Cody Stevens (Tauranga), Nick Fox (Gisborne).

Elite women: Sarah Walker (Rotorua), Victoria Hill (New Plymouth). Reserve: Hayley Gedye (New Plymouth).

Junior elite men: Cody Hobbs (Te Awamutu), Ryan Lewis (Te Awamutu), Todd Barry (Cambridge), Jarrod Browning (Cambridge), Donald Ross (Whangarei), Ryan Berney (North Harbour). Reserves: Luke Roguski (Tauranga), Stefan Gabel (Tauranga).

Junior elite women: Hannah Sarten (New Plymouth). Reserve: Monique Smith (Gisborne).

Full details: www.bikenz.org.nz

London Olympian Kurt Pickard turned up the heat in the hot conditions to claim the BikeNZ BMX National Championship in Cambridge today.

After winning the final round of the summer series on Friday, Pickard paced himself throughout a hot testing day, finishing second in the morning Superclass, cruising through the championship motos and then nailing the final in emphatic fashion.

In the absence of Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker, recovering from shoulder surgery, Taranaki’s Victoria Hill proved dominant in the elite women’s ranks, winning the Superclass and was unbeaten in all four races on the way to defending her national title.

There were record entries with more than 1000 event entries in elite and age group races as riders from four years to over 70 years vied for championship titles and also selection for July’s UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.

The championships doubled as the final selection event for the worlds to be staged at Vector Arena on 24-28 July, with age group selection for the Challenge classes due to be announced on Tuesday and the elite team named on Wednesday.

“It’s been a competitive process with a series of selection events over the summer culminating in this weekend, along with their previous international form to be considered,” said BikeNZ BMX High Performance Coach Ryan Hollows.

“Marc Willers is the only automatic entry for the elite classes based on his world ranking and Sarah applied for a medical dispensation following her surgery.

“The battle for the other spots in the team is tight with an encouraging depth of quality across the board in the elite women, elite men and elite juniors.”

Pickard scored his second national open title with a solid result for the Tauranga rider who is preparing towards the world championships.

“It was a lot of racing today in this heat and a long break after racing two different competitions in the morning. So it was important to hydrate well and also prepare really well,” Pickard said.

“It’s always good to win a national title and now I look forward to the world champs selection. Really my training has been geared towards building for upcoming international competitions and the world championships in July.”

Big Taranaki rider Matt Cameron continued his excellent form with victory in the morning Superclass with three wins in the motos, two seconds and a final victory for the overall honours ahead of Pickard.

He topped qualifying in the championship with three straight wins but had to bow to Pickard who nailed the start and dominated the final.

Local Cambridge rider Kurt James proved consistent throughout to finish third in the Superclass and third in the national championship.

With Willers automatically selected, there are 12 riders chasing the five spots in the team for the world championships in the elite men.

With Walker sidelined, Hill had the opportunity to assert herself with just two spots up for grabs for elite women.

She enjoyed a faultless morning with four straight wins in the Superclass and her two wins and a second in the afternoon was sufficient to secure the national title.

Fellow Taranaki rider Hayley Gedye was second in the championship races just ahead of young Gisborne rider Monique Smith.

The unlucky rider was New Plymouth’s Hannah Sarten, who won Friday’s selection event but broke her wrist in a fall although she will still be in world championship consideration.

The Te Awamutu pair of Cody Hobbs and Ryan Lewis dominated the junior elite division.

Results, BikeNZ BMX National Championships, Cambridge:

Male:
Elite: Kurt Pickard (Tauranga) 1, Matt Cameron (New Plymouth) 2, Kurt James (Cambridge) 3.
Junior Elite: Cody Hobbs (Te Awamutu) 1, Ryan Lewis (Te Awamutu) 2, Jarrod Browning (Cambridge) 3.
4 and under: mixed: L Runciman (Cambridge) 1, M McFarlane (North Harbour) 2, J Phillips (Christchurch City) 3.
5-6 years: Rory Meek (Dunedin) 1, Kalan Evans (North Harbour) 2, Sam Cannon (East City) 3.
7 years: Lucas Bhimy (North Harbour) 1, Ryan Hastings (Rotorua) 2, Lewis Atkinson (Mountain Raiders) 3.
8 years: Jack Greenough (Cambridge) 1, Tipene Kennedy (Kapiti) 2, Maui Morrison (Hutt Valley) 3.
9 years: James Whyte (Mountain Raiders) 1, Logan Hall (Cambridge) 2, Daniel Butterworth (Rotorua) 3.
10 years: Rico Bearman (Waitakere ) 1, Jack Keown (Christchurch City) 2, Boston Caldwell (North Harbour) 3.
11 years: Ryan Martin (Cambridge) 1, Tasman Wakelin (Nelson) 2, Cody Wareham (Christchurch City) 3.
12 years: Cailen Calkin (Hamilton) 1, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (Rotorua) 2, Ronan Millar (Cambridge) 3.
13 years: Mark Harland-Croft (Taupo) 1, Ryan Jordan (Hamilton) 2, Logan Hirst (Taupo) 3.
14 years: Maynard Peel (Sunset Coast) 1, Kieran Ngatai (Tauranga) 2, Jayden Fleming (Papakura) 3.
15 years: Lewis Smith (Gisborne) 1, Bayleigh Rees (Papakura) 2, Josh Smith (Te Awamutu) 3.
16 years: Cody Merito (Te Awamutu) 1, Liam Perry (Kapiti) 2, James Nattrass (Papakura) 3.
17-24 years: Jayden Davy (New Plymouth) 1, Cayleb Martin (Christchurch City) 2, Jono Varty (Kaiapoi) 3.
25-29 years: Adam Coker (East City) 1, Jason Kelly (Hamilton) 2, John Hayes (Hamilton) 3.
30 years plus: Tony Wilcock (Hamilton) 1, Kurt Bagby (East City) 2, Dave Mohi (Rotorua) 3.
Masters 30 plus: Corey Stafford (Papakura) 1, Glen Ogle (Nelson) 2, Darryl Winsor (Rotorua) 3.
Cruiser class, male 12 and under: Callen Calkin (Hamilton) 1, Ryan Martin (Cambridge0 2, Zach Peterson (Rotorua) 3.
13-14 years: Maynard Peel (Sunset Coast) 1, Harris Thurgood (Cambridge) 2, James Reddish (Kaiapoi) 3.
15-16 years: Codi Merito (Te Awamutu) 1, Liam Perry (Kapiti) 2, Daniel Bowers-Wilson (North Avon Chch) 3.
17-29 years: Adam Coker (East City) 1, Cameron Petch (Te Awamutu) 2, Jono Varty (Kaiapoi) 3.
30-34 years: Mike Reader (Hawera) 1, Kurt Bagby (East City) 2, Lance Dinsdale (Whangarei0 3.
35-39 years: Steven Schimanski (Hawera) 1, Craig Hutchinson (North Harbour) 2, Bevan Brown (Sunset Coast) 3.
40-44 years: Dave Mohi (Rotorua) 1, Richie McLachlan (Papakura) 2, Scott Hazlewood (North Harbour) 3.
45 plus: Paul Luttrell (Hamilton) 1, Ash Rawson (Tauranga) 2, Doug Matheson (North Harbour) 3.

Female:
Elite: Victoria Hill (New Plymouth) 1, Hayley Gedye (New Plymouth) 2, Monique Smith (Gisborne) 3.
5-7 years: Sage Piebenga (New Plymouth) 1, Sacha Earnest (Mountain Raiders) 2, Greer Hall (Cambridge) 3.
8 years: Leila Walker (Cambridge) 1, Brooke Penny (Te Awamutu) 2, Caitlin Flavell (Rotorua) 3.
9 years: Megan Williams (Rotorua) 1, Lucy Macready (North harbour) 2, Zoe Hartwell (Papakura) 3.
10 years: Ruby Laidlaw (Southland) 1, Makayla Ranken (Papakura) 2, Breeanne Stuart (Mountain Raiders) 3.
11 years: Ella Hansen (Rangiora) 1, Kayla Meltzer (Kaiapoi) 2, Charlie Lester-Rosson (Taupo) 3.
12 years: Kaly Harcourt (Hamilton) 1, Baylee Luttrell (Hamilton0 2, Jessie Smith (Gisborne) 3.
13 years: Jordan Donaldson (North Harbour) 1, Paris Dixon (North Harbour) 2, Mackenzie Roberts-Craig (Sunset Coast) 3.
14 years: Shania Rawson (Tauranga) 1, Julia Carter-Bell (Whangarei) 2, Delainey Beck (Wainuiomata) 3.
15 years: Rebecca Petch (Te Awamutu) 1, Zoe Fleming (Papakura) 2, Courtney Brunton (Te Awamutu) 3.
16 years: Tahlia Hansen (Rangiora) 1, Summer Lucas (Southland) 2, Taylor Smith (Gisborne) 3.
17 years plus: Holly Woodcock-Takurua (Sunset Coast) 1, Shannon Alexander (Christchurch City) 2, Melissa Were (Hawera) 3.
Cruiser, 16 years and under: Rebecca Petch (Te Awamutu) 1, Tahlia Hansen (Rangiora) 2, Abby Fox (Gisborne) 3.
17-29 years: Alice Rika (Papakura) 1, Toni James (Waitakere) 2, Melissa Were (Hawera) 3.
30 years plus: Vanessa Quin (Tauranga) 1, Tess Bates (East City) 2, Melissa Giles (Taupo) 3.
Superclass, female: Victoria Hill (New Plymouth) 1, Monique Smith (Gisborne) 2, Hayley Gedye (New Plymouth) 3.
Male: Matt Cameron (new Plymouth) 1, Kurt Pickard (Tauranga) 2, Kurt James (Cambridge) 3.

There’s plenty at stake for budding BMX riders of all ages at the national championships in Cambridge over Easter.

The New Zealand championships have attracted more than 1000 event entries, with national honours on the line as well as final selection for riders to make the New Zealand team for July’s UCI World Championships in Auckland.

Leading the way is world champion Rico Bearman (Waitakere) who will race in the boys’ 10 years division, world number two, Rebecca Petch (Te Awamutu – 15 years) and world number three Ryan Martin (Cambridge – 11 years).

BMX is definitely a family sport for the ages with seven riders in the four years and under division up to BMX New Zealand life member, Tony Rika, a septuagenarian who is believed to be the oldest competitive rider in the world.

As host nation New Zealand can have up to 32 riders in each of the age group divisions. With nearly 60 riders entered in some age groups in Cambridge, and older age groups limited to 17 years plus for women and 30 years plus for masters, there will be real rivalry to secure a much-sought after place in the team for the world championships.

That will result in some strong competition at the weekend to finalise selection for the world championships, which will be staged in New Zealand for the first time, set for 24-28 July in Vector Arena.

While final selection for the elite categories is not solely at stake this weekend, it will have a factor in the team choices with only five places available in the elite men, two in the elite women, six in the junior men and one spot in junior women.

London Olympian Marc Willers has already been assured of his place based on world ranking, additional to the five spots for elite men. The Californian-based rider won’t be back this weekend, racing inside in USA as is Pukekohe’s Trent Woodcock.

London silver medallist Sarah Walker is also not racing, as she recovers from shoulder surgery, this week given a clearance to begin training back on the bike.

Olympian Kurt Pickard (Tauranga) will be heavily favoured to win the men’s elite competition with plenty of competition for the other placings among the likes of local rider Kurt James and talented high performance riders Nick Fox (Gisborne), Matt Cameron (New Plymouth) and Daniel Franks (Christchurch), who has recently moved to the Waikato.

With Walker sidelined, there will be a battle for the women’s honours between Monique Smith (Gisborne) and the Taranaki trio of Hannah Sarten, Victoria Hill and Hayley Gedye, who is making a return to the sport.
The Te Awamutu pair of Ryan Lewis and Cody Hobbs along with Whangarei’s Donald Ross will be favourites in the junior men’s division.

Friday will see the selection racing to select the best 11 year olds for this year’s Mighty 11s Test series against Australia and the BMX NZ Summer Series.

There is seeding racing on Saturday for both Challenge and Championship classes with three motos and finals on Sunday, along with the Superclass on Sunday.

Over 2,000 spectators flocked into Gorge Road Jump Park for the second Red Bull Roast It competition. 45 riders from around the globe all vied for the top honours, treating the crowd to a BMX dirt-riding spectacle.

When the dust settled and the riders votes were in, it was Mike “Hucker” Clark (USA) who walked away with “Best Rider” and a cheque for $5,000. Jed Mildon (NZ) took out “Best Line” and George Bolter (NZ) and Brandon Loupos (AUS) tied for “Best Trick.”

Mike “Hucker” Clarke (USA) was in unstoppable form and dominated the course in his heat and the final. His combinations across different lines coupled with his unique style proved he is one of the best dirt jumpers in the world today.

“It’s a dream come true, I came here injured and just planned on just staying safe and having a good time. To think that everyone liked my riding that much that they voted for me, it’s a dream come true,” commented Mike “Hucker” Clarke.

The jump park at Gorge Road is a unique BMX dirt nirvana that has evolved over the last 6 years into one of the premier dirt parks of the world. The Gorge Road maintenance crew set the scene today for one of the best dirt showdowns of the year.  The attention to detail, dirt sculpting skills and what can only be described as love, create jumps that BMX riders dream of.

The “Best Line” competition opened up new lines never seen before at Gorge Road. Brandon Dosch made a double whip transfer that no local has even attempted before. Jed Mildon (NZ) attacked the course from the beginning and was determined to make a double transfer line across two huge gaps. After making the gap, he then threw down a 360 and a whip on the last transfer earning him the “Best Line” title.

“It’s an honour to be with all of the best dirt jumpers from around the world, to pick out the best line, land it, nail it and then take home the prize is unbelievable. I’m on cloud 9 right now,” commented Jed Mildon.

The “Best Trick” competition is rider judged, decided from the action within the 20-man super final, pushed the progression of dirt BMX to the next level. George Bolter (NZ) shared the honours with Brandon Loupos (AUS). George created a new transfer line with a 360 out of the big berm back into the course.

“Riding in Red Bull Roast It today was awesome. It was the best time ever, having a good time riding with my friends. I’m really surprised but so stoked to be sharing the podium with Brandon, he was so sick,” commented George Bolter.

Brandon Loupos (AUS) made an amazing cash roll into the central wooden structure aptly named the dragons back. “Riding in Red Bull Roast It was definitely a great opportunity. To come here and ride the best jumps in the world and to take out best trick with George was the best thing I could have asked for. I’m so stoked to walk away in one piece. I’m excited for next year” says Loupos.

Red Bull Roast It uses a relaxed jam format that encourages the competitors to feed off each other, pushing their riding to new levels. Today’s action at Gorge Road saw the best dirt jumpers in the world do exactly that.  The locals and spectators alike were treated to a riding display nothing short of outstanding. Look out for Red Bull Roast It next year, which is sure to be back in 2014.

London Olympic track builders, Clark and Kent Contractors, have been signed to build the track for this year’s UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.

World Championships Event Director, Jane Patterson said the organisation is delighted to have secured the services of the British company who earned such acclaim for the track in London.

The championships on 24-28 July will be held in Vector Arena in downtown Auckland.

“They have an outstanding reputation not only with their efforts with the Olympic BMX track but also another of other high profile projects,” Patterson said.

“We are also keen to leave a legacy for BMX in New Zealand with Clark and Kent working closely with our track operations led by Tony Takarua and homegrown staff who have experience with BMX tracks in this country.”

The two brothers, who have a keen background in BMX racing and trail riding, worked initially for a British company building tracks until they branched out on their own.

“We built our own local track in 2009 as our first big job and have not looked back since,” said Kent Bridgett.

They have been involved in many projects with multiple national tracks in #England, pump tracks and other major projects including Perry Park, used for the UK European Championship round in 2011. They built a pump track and the Supercross straights at the US Olympic Training Centre in Chula Vista as well as remedial work at the World Cycling Centre at Aigle in Switzerland.

It was the Olympic project that won them worldwide acclaim.

“The experience of the Olympics was once in a lifetime. Months of hard graft came together in the end. There were a lot of hurdles along the way and a lot of pressure working to a tight timescale.

“We learnt a lot as a business from London and hopefully the momentum will carry on through the next few years. Certainly 2013 is again a massive year for us with projects in UK and overseas and we are humbled and excited to be involved in the world championships in New Zealand.”

The restrictions of space at Victor Arena will provide a challenge.

“In our opinion a track for the worlds need to be safe yet challenging for every level of rider, fast smooth and flowing is key. Variety is also good but we don't feel the need to necessarily try building new things at the world championships.

“More space is better and building indoors presents some challenges but at the same time it will be a unique and exciting venue.”

The project will involve moving 4000 cub metres of clay into Vector Arena with six days to complete the track.

For details: www.bmxworldsnewzealand.com

Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker is to have surgery today on her damaged shoulder and will be off her bike for up to six months.

The former BMX world champion dislocated her shoulder at the UCI World Cup in Norway in April but showed remarkable recovery to get her back on the bike in mid-May, nursing her way to Olympic qualification at the world championship in Birmingham.

Walker managed the injury throughout her Olympic campaign and while it caused no significant issues on the way to her outstanding silver medal in London, her medical team believe there is a strong chance that her shoulder will dislocate again.

“I have been told there is a 75-90 percent chance that it will go out again as it is but that with surgery it will reduce that down to about 3 percent,” Walker said.

“With the nature of BMX, I know that I will not go another four years without crashing so there is too much at risk.

“In the big picture of the next four years, now is the best time and it will give me at least three months of time on my bike before the World Championships in Auckland next July.”

Walker will have the surgery in Hamilton today under Dr Chris O’Meeghan. Full recovery will take up to six months although she will be able to move the shoulder in a few weeks.

“I'm a quick healer so hopefully it will take less than the six months.”

Three months on from London, Walker has remained busy with school visits and events resulting from the Olympics.

Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker was back into action when she took out the North Island BMX titles in Whangarei over Labour Weekend.

Walker, who had a lengthy break after her medal-winning performance in London, cruised through the qualifying motos with two wins and second before claiming the final over talented Gisborne teenager Monique Smith and New Plymouth’s Victoria Hill.

Her London teammate Kurt Pickard, recovered from injuries he received in the Olympic competition, won the elite men’s competition.

Like Walker, the Tauranga rider won two of the three qualifying heats and claimed the final ahead of Cambridge rider Kurt James with Christchurch’s Daniel Franks third.

The junior men’s title went to Australian Corey Frieswyk over Cody Hobbs (Te Awamutu) and Queensland’s Kerrod Connors.

Pickard also took out the superclass competition on the following day, completing an unbeaten run in his three motos and all three final races, as well as the Cruiser class title.

Franks, after two fifth placings, managed an excellent second place in the third final. With James, second to Pickard in the opening two finals, slipping to last in the third final after a fall, Franks managed to claim runner-up spot overall.

Smith, a former world age group medallist, gave a glimpse of her talent when she won the Superclass title.

Walker’s involvement ensured minimum start numbers were achieved but she was content to allow the up-and-comers to have their chance, settling instead for minor placings.

However the former world champion returned to easily take out the cruiser class honours.

New Zealand’s five medallists from this year’s world championships were all on the podium, led by Rico Bearman (Waitakere City), the world champion, who won the nine years class.

Three world championship silver medallists were to the fore, including Caitlin Flavell (Rotorua) who won the seven years final, Rebecca Petch (Te Awamutu) who took out the 14 years title, and Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Rotorua) who was second in the eight years boys.

World number three Ryan Martin (Cambridge) won the 10 years title.

There was plenty of competition in the age group ranks as New Zealand riders prepare for a major summer of racing towards the highlight for the sport’s history in this country when they host the UCI BMX World Championships at Vector Arena in Auckland next July.

Cambridge proved the most successful club with six titles in both BMX and Cruiser classes ahead of Rotorua with five while Hamilton and Te Awamutu shared three each.

However the breadth of talent was evident with the 40 titles spread between 19 New Zealand clubs with one going to Australia.

Initial high interest in next year’s UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland has led organisers to extend the event for an additional day.

The Championships, which will now run from 24-28 July at Vector Arena in downtown Auckland, will retain the planned four competition days with a separate elite practice day inserted.

The event will begin with the Challenge Class (age group) world titles including the 24” Cruiser division on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 July. Practice for elites will be on Friday 26 July which will allow for the overnight change of configuration from the 5m start ramp used for Challenge classes to the 8m ramp and bigger jumps for the elite racing.

There will be further elite practice on Saturday 27 July before the World Championship Time Trials on Saturday which is the qualifying process for the UCI World Championships on Sunday.

“We have had significant initial interest that suggests we may attract more than 2000 riders for the championships,” said BMX World Championship 2013 Event Director, Jane Patterson.

“New Zealand seems to be a must-do destination for BMX riders and families. One of the lures is using Vector Arena both because of its location in the heart of the Auckland downtown and waterfront and the quality of the venue.

“We could fit the championships into four days but if the entries reach the level we are anticipating it could present some challenges and force us to compete very late into the night.

“We feel that would take away from the special atmosphere of the event with the Challenge classes involving riders from five years to over 50 years and also place undue pressure on officials and volunteers.”

While Vector Arena is a stunning venue, there is insufficient room to build twin five and eight metre start ramps within the circuit. An innovative design will allow for the conversion of the 5m start ramp (for Challenge classes) to 8m (for elites).

“We have programmed this conversion overnight after racing on Thursday to allow time for the elites to practice.

“It also means we can stage the elite world championships during the day which will accommodate the best interests of families which are the foundation of the sport. With the success by the likes of Sarah Walker at the London Olympics, we are confident there will be significant public interest especially from families to come along and enjoy what is going to be an incredible and fun spectacle.

“Adding the day will allow plenty of time to cope with all entries, provide an enjoyable experience for competitors and offer day time viewing of the championship race days which will appeal to the family environment which is a big part of BMX community.”

The event schedule will now be:
July 22-23            Practice (Challenge and Cruiser classes)

July 24-25            Challenge Class World Championships

July 26                   Practice Elite Men, Junior Men, Women

July 27                   Practice Elite Men, Junior Men, Women; World championship Time Trials

(qualifying and Super Time Trial finals)

July 28                   UCI BMX Elite World Championships

For details: www.bmxworldsnewzealand.com

New Zealand’s burgeoning BMX talent will contest the final round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Canada at the weekend.

With both overall World Cup titles out of the reach of New Zealand riders, head coach Ken Cools is taking the opportunity to blood a number of young riders for the season finale at Abbotsford in British Colombia.

The five riders form the key part of BikeNZ’s BMX high performance development programme, looking ahead to next year’s World Championships in Auckland.

“These riders have all come through our development process and four of them have had a taste of Supercross racing,” Cools said. “This is the ideal opportunity for them. They have been training hard over recent months and this is their chance to qualify through to the main draw and see how deep they can go in the elimination rounds.”

The group comprises Matt Cameron (New Plymouth), Trent Jones (Kaiapoi), Kurt James (Cambridge), Daniel Franks (Christchurch) and Nic Fox (Gisborne).

“These are our best young talent that have an opportunity to press their claims for the future and potentially through to the Rio Olympics in 2016 and beyond.”

Olympians Marc Willers, Kurt Pickard and silver medallist Sarah Walker are all taking a break following London. Willers is building up again for racing in the USA National series, Walker is taking a spell while Pickard is recovering from injuries received in London.

It is the first World Cup elite competition for Jones, the North Canterbury teenager who was fifth in the junior elite class at the world championships this year.

American Connor Fields is the Supercross points leader in the men’s competition after two wins this year and faces world champion Sam Willoughby (AUS) and compatriot Dave Herman in the race for overall series honours.

The women’s overall honours will be a battle between leader and world time trial champion Caroline Buchanan (AUS) and world champion Magalie Pottier (FRA) with Great Britain’s Shanaze Reade making a rare appearance.

The riders have their first practice today with time trials and qualifying tomorrow and elimination racing on Sunday (NZ time).