Kiwi riders will hope the UCI BMX Racing World Championships starting in Brisbane from tomorrow will be all-but a home competition.
There are 13 New Zealand riders in the Championship racing on the weekend, ahead of next week’s Challenge (age-group) racing with more than 300 kiwis crossing the Tasman to compete.
The track part of the Sleeman Sports Complex on the outskirts of Brisbane, also comprising Australia’s major cycling velodrome and championship swimming complex.
Paris Olympian Rico Bearman is confident the tighter and more technical nature of the track will provide advantageous.
“The track is a little more technical and not just full wide-open. It takes more skill to get around so that does suit me. The first straight is good,” said Bearman.
“That said in 2024 when we had a World Cup here it did not go so well but it definitely does suit me.
“As always, the gate is important but this track especially. It will be the key for me. There is still some passing around the track but the first straight is so important here. So, getting the gate right and leading into the first turn is a key.”
Bearman said the Brisbane location makes it all-but a home world championship for all the New Zealand riders.
“It’s cool to have the world championships here because it gives us the chance to have friends and family come to watch. Even the Aussie fans are more supportive of us than they are of the Europeans.
“For me the training has gone good, the last couple of practices I have been feeling good and ticking the right boxes so I am feeling pretty confident going into the weekend.”
He is joined by experienced fellow North Harbour club professional Michael Bias in the elite men, with both making quarterfinals last year.
Paris Olympic rider Leila Walker (Cambridge), a semifinalist last year, is joined by Rotorua’s Megan Williams in the elite women.
The 2025 junior world champion Lily Greenough (Cambridge) steps up to under-23 this year along with Te Awamutu’s Brooke Penny, and clubmate Finn Cogan also has his first under-23 world championship experience.
The junior riders are all venturing to the championship world championships for the first time.
The championships have attracted over 3,000 riders, including riders from 28 clubs in New Zealand, for the BMX Racing Challenge (age group) competition starting next week
There is training for elite riders tomorrow, with qualifying and first round racing on Saturday, with quarterfinals through ultimately to finals on Sunday.
The New Zealand BMX Racing elite team is:
Male, Elite: Rico Bearman (North Harbour), Michael Bias (North Harbour), Bennett Greenough (Cambridge).
Under-23: Finn Cogan (Cambridge)
Junior: Nico Cogan (Cambridge), Tyla Dinsdale (Whangarei)
Female, Elite: Megan Williams (Rotorua), Leila Walker (Cambridge)
Junior: Madeleine Hunter (Mountain Raiders), Azaria Thornley (North Avon Christchurch)
Under-23: Brooke Penny (Te Awamutu), Lily Greenough (Cambridge)
Rico Bearman in action at the UCI BMX Racing World Cup in France. (Credit: Cole McOnie)