The Dirt, March 2017

MARCH 2017

New JUSTER Six foot five, 103kg and hard to stop once at speed. BIG MAN Matt Juster IS UNLOCKING HIS POTENTIAL, EVEN IF HE IS A LITTLE LATE TO HIS OWN PARTY

CONTENTS

From the CEO.....................................4 From the President...........................6 ACT Championships wrap...............8 COVER STORY: New Year, New Juster....................................................12 Cooper Tye wins on the track, eyes BMX Nationals.........................18 Nat. Series preview: Cairns...........20

2017 Calendar JANUARY 6-7: CHAMBIKX/PROBIKX UCI + GRANDS ASSAULT NATIONAL SERIES RND 1

FEBRUARY 4-5: CHAMBIKX/PROBIKX UCI + GRANDS ASSAULT NATIONAL SERIES RND 2 3: CHAMBIKX/PROBIKX UCI RND 3, BATHURST 4: OCEANIA BMX CHAMPIONSHIPS, BATHURST 5: GRANDS ASSAULT NATIONAL SERIES RND 3, BATHURST 17-19: ACT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - TUGGERANONG BMX CLUB

MARCH

APRIL

1-2: CHAMBIKX/PROBIKX UCI + GRANDS ASSAULT NATIONAL SERIES RND 4, CAIRNS 23-30: BMX AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, SLEEMAN CENTRE, BRISBANE 6: UCI BMX SX WORLD CUP ROUND 1, PAPENDAL, NETHERLANDS 7: UCI BMX SX WORLD CUP ROUND 2, PAPENDAL, NETHERLANDS 13: UCI BMX SX WORLD CUP ROUND 3, HAUSDEN-ZOLDER, BELGIUM 14: UCI BMX SX WORLD CUP ROUND 4, HAUSDEN-ZOLDER, BELGIUM

MAY

JUNE

JULY 25-29: UCI BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ROCK HILL, USA

AUGUST

16: UCI BMX SX WORLD CUP ROUND 5, SANTIAGO DEL ESTER0, ARGENTINA 17: UCI BMX SX WORLD CUP ROUND 6, SANTIAGO DEL ESTER0, ARGENTINA 18-24: QLD STATE TITLES, TOWNSVILLE BMX CLUB 30-1 OCT: NSW STATE TITLES, MACARTHUR BMX CLUB

OCTOBER

5-7: WA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, SOUTHSIDE BMX CLUB 6-7: NT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, SATELLITE CITY BMX CLUB 25-29: SA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, HAPPY VALLEY BMX CLUB

11-12: TAS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, VENUE TBC 16-19: VIC STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WYNDHAM WARRIORS BMX CLUB 23-26: USA BMX GRAND NATIONALS & RACE OF CHAMPIONS, TULSA, OKLAHOMA

DECEMBER

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

From the CEO A new look, NSOD concludes & Events As you read this edition of The Dirt you will no doubt notice the new BMX Australia logo that has recently been launched. It’s a fresh new look for our sport and is one of a number of changes that will be rolled out over the coming months.

Over the next few weeks we will be putting the finishing touches on a new website for BMXA which is due to be rolled out prior to the National Championships.

The website will be more user friendly, definitely more mobile friendly and will provide BMX with a platform to promote the sport and provide valuable information for our members. The planning for these changes started in the middle of last year and has taken a considerable amount of work, so we hope you like what you see. We certainly do!

Our National Sign On Day campaign has been conducted once again this year, with 49 clubs around Australia taking part in the initiative. It’s great to see so many clubs getting behind the day and exposing our exciting sport to new participants. The clubs that have taken part have reported how positive the days have been and have welcomed new members to the sport as a result. The work done by our amazing club volunteers in attracting new participants to the sport is always highlighted at this time of the year, but of course, the work goes on all year round.

My sincere thanks to all those club volunteers who help to make the sport a reality for all our members.

Our National Series has continued with the most recent event being held in Bathurst at the beginning of March. The weekend also saw us host the Oceania PAGE | 4

Championships, so we welcomed a large number of New Zealand riders to Bathurst for the weekend, which highlighted some great riding.

Rain leading up to the event threatened to derail proceedings but some great work

by Bathurst Regional Council meant that the weekend went ahead without disruption. Congratulations to Kai Sakakibara (men’s), Leeana Curtis (women’s), Saya Sakakibara (junior women) and New Zealand’s Maynard Peel (junior men) on their respective continental titles in the elite categories and well done to everyone who took part in a great event.

Preparations are now well underway for the National Championships that are being held next month in Brisbane. We expect it to be one of the largest on record as many of our members chase a place at the world championships in Rock Hill, USA. The Sleeman SX track will be a beehive of activity as the BMX family descends on Brisbane for a week of fun and racing. We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible Martin Shaw.

New website.

April.

2017.

From the PRESIDENT What to do at the Aussies No, this is not a tourist story. It’s about what clubs do for their members, particularly the new ones.

Having been to more than 20 Australian titles, and having kids that don’t really need my help anymore (debatable sometimes), I’ve pretty much got these things down pat.

But there was once a time when my wife and I had very little idea of what to do, how to do it and what it was all about. Fortunately my kids were part of the Liverpool Club (and they still are) and some great ‘old hands’ at that club would sit everyone down before the Aussies and explain what should be expected when they got there.

to the Cameron family as new members in BMX went along the lines of the following:

• How does sign-on work at an Aussies (slightly different to an open)?

Now while not everyone listened, we did • Where do I get my number? pick up a lot of good tips that made the whole event a lot more fun and somewhat • What number plate do I run?

• What equipment do I need to take? (Do less stressful.

I need a tarp, do I need chairs, should I take the whole enchilada like I do for So, I’m hoping that clubs are doing for an open?) their members today, what ours did for us • Where does everyone sit? when we first got involved. I know there • What spares do I need? How do I get are a lot of great clubs out there that put something fixed on the bike if it goes a fantastic amount of effort into helping wrong? their members, and most clubs have at • How do the awards work? (Being very least one or two people who have done optimistic of course like most parents) an Aussies before.

• What is the ‘awards night’ and should I take the family?

So, while the Aussies format has changed • What should the kids do when they are over the years, and is yet again slightly not racing? (Should we walk them all different this year, there is a lot that is still around Brisbane because we’ve never common - it’s just not common knowledge been there before - when should we do to the newer members of your clubs who this?) may not have done an Aussies before or • How does racing work? Is it different to “it was different last time”. what we do at open days?

• How much practice should my rider So, casting my mind back, some of the do? really useful information that was imparted PAGE | 6

• Who do they talk to if they can’t work out something on the track?

• Where am I likely to find points information and race times?

And so on and so forth, the questions will continue.

Like most new parents, I was the anxious father in the early days, most likely stressing the kids out along with my wife while I was trying to work everything out, just so I could be the expert and make sure my kids had the best possible chance (in my eyes of course).

In all honesty, I probably should just have chilled out and not worried, but that’s not what new parents do. They stress because they are in unfamiliar territory.

Parents in your clubs are likely to have a million questions about this event (and the holiday that generally gets tacked on either side of it), so I’d be really interested to hear how clubs handle this issue these days.

Maybe information on their website? (We didn’t have those in my early days), or perhaps there are handouts for all the people in their club that are going? Or maybe just the good old sit around after racing and have the ‘old hands’ explain to the group what they should expect.

So, let us know what your club is doing for your newer members going to the Aussies for possibly their first time... I’m sure we can plagiarise a bit of the information to spread around on social media - hopefully it will help someone have a better time at their first Aussies.

Ciao, Neil

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New Tuggeranong track delivers for ACT Champs

Pic: Ian Roach

The 2017 ACT BMX Championships were successfully held at Tuggeranong BMX Club from March 18-19, with the riders being treated to a spectacular new hard compound track with polymer that created ideal racing conditions.

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While much of NSW was being lashed with torrential rain, the capital of the country was a beacon of fine weather with sunshine on day one of competition, while an overcast but mild Sunday was still pleasant for the 580 entrants from around Australia and even some from New Zealand.

Of particular note was the

attendance of 15-yearsgirl’s world number four, New Zealand’s Baylee Luttrell who was contesting the Superclass women’s category, adding international spice to this popular event.

Before the on-track action commenced an opening ceremony signified the commencement of the

event, and also the official opening of the track.

Rebecca Cody MLA representing the Minister for Sport in the ACT opened the track by cutting a ribbon, held by Sarah Nicki from Canberra club and Cooper Sellars from Tuggeranong Club. Both Sarah and Cooper did an outstanding job reading the rider’s oath and assisting the in the opening ceremony.

During the opening ceremony Paul Stewart, President of Tuggeranong assembled his track builders and team on the third straight to thank them for delivering a great track. Stewart also presented a well-deserved volunteer of the year award to Mark Bell for his dedication and commitment to building the track. The effort saw Bell work for nine months through some of the wettest conditions the east coast of Australia had seen in decades.

The feedback from the riders throughout the course of the weekend, irrespective of ability, was one of respect and appreciation for the hard work from the club to deliver a brand new track. For most they enjoyed the hard, fast and

smooth surface, and got a kick out of the pro straight with a water jump, complete with plastic ducks.

officials and commentators assisted by providing a great package, including timing systems and professional support, complimenting the efforts of Pettett and his team.

BMXA President Neil Cameron and BMXA National Officiating Director Paul Connors attended the event and were incredibly impressed with track presentation and delivery of the event.

The 2017 ACT Titles will be held at the Canberra BMX Club, which now has fully bitumen corners and bitumen on the finish area.

ACT BMX Association has also recently invested in two sets of full MyPic: Laurence Buchanan Laps timing equipment for use by both TugMaking the event one to geranong and Canberra remember for the sprockBMX clubs. It’s hoped that ets in attendance, the pro this will have both clubs riders signed the plastic running fully electronic ducks and presented them club events in the near to some of BMX’s youngest future. riders.

From an operational standpoint the event was first class thanks to the work of a dedicated group of volunteers working under the guidance of event manager Gary Pettett. BMX NSW PAGE | 9

Fierce racing lights up ACT BMX Titles

The ACT BMX Championships delivered pulsating performances from riders in attendance, with a number of riders who regularly race each other at a national level taking to the track to resume their rivalries.

Also stealing centre stage was the Junior Trans TasPAGE | 10

man Test Event, a jointly organised competition between BMX NSW and ACT BMX that saw a collection of Australia’s fastest 11-year olds racing in the hope of qualifying for the Australian Mighty 11s Test Team.

Fast and furious, the 11-year-olds produced fast laps in the hope of being quick enough to

Pic: Ian Roach

secure their spot to represent Australia, much to the delight of the crowd.

Meanwhile the 40-44 men rocketed down the track bashing bars and showed they’ve not lost their skill as time has passed by.

Mini Wheelers and Sprockets competed to the joy of proud parents, as did riders in each of the age groups.

However as expected it was the Superclass men and women who thrilled the most as they attacked the first 90-degree corner with fearlessness, and an insatiable appetite to be the first across the line.

Headlining the women’s competition was training partners and friendly rivals Leanna Curtis and Saya Sakakibara. Curtis delivered with victory on the opening day of racing, however Sakakibara hit back on day two with a dominant performance to finish more than a second ahead of Curtis.

Other riders with a strong showing in the top tier women’s race were Mikayla Rose, who place third on day one, while Leah Hearne from Bateman’s Bay BMX Club claimed the final step on the podium on the second day of racing. Other notable performances came from Paige Harding, Gemma-Lee Thomas, Kiana Botfield and New Zealand’s Baylee Luttrell.

On the men’s side of the ledger it was Kai Sakakibara and his BMX Australia Development Academy teammate Andy Hughes who headlined the show. Sakakibara was the victor on day one with Hughes in second and local Tuggeranong club member Armande Oringo finishing third. Come day two, Hughes reversed the order at the top end of town, while in third it was another ACT rider, this time Jack Druery of Canberra BMX Club.

Targeting participation with tech investment In a significant boost for clubs in Australia’s capital, ACT BMX has provided funding for backup Smart Start units and/or transponders that club members are able to hire.

The decision was made by the ACT board of directors that the implementation of better technology at a club level will assist in growing the knowledge of registrars and scorers.

The move is geared towards improving future state championships, and improving the sport thanks to better-equipped volunteers.

The investment in technology and up skilling of volunteers is also expected to help clubs host larger club events, or open events in the future. ACT BMX Board Director Laurie Buchanan believes that entries at this year’s titles will be surpassed in 2018, courtesy of some of these changes.

“The ACT titles could have seen close to 640 entries this year, based on the number of requests for late entries,” Buchanan said.

“We hope that 2018 will see riders submit their entries earlier than they did for this year’s event. We hope to see a large contingent at Canberra BMX Club in 2018.”

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New JUST

Once inconsistent and known to enjoy a post race celebrati more than a race, Juster has turned a leaf in 2017 to be train ing smarter, indulging in a well balanced diet, and has surrounded himself with the right crowd. And the on-track results are showing.

STER

ion n-

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“I have a small circle of friends and they are all positive people. I have distanced myself from the negative people in my life, you don’t need negativity.” - Matt Juster At six-foot five and 103 kilograms, Matthew Juster is an intimidating rider. Once at speed he’s hard to stop, or bump out of the way.

While he’s always been fast, it hasn’t been until this year that the now 26-yearold has really got his career up to speed, and put measures in place to prevent it from being bumped off track.

Once inconsistent and known to enjoy a post race celebration more than a race, Juster has turned a leaf in 2017 to be training smarter, indulging in a well balanced diet, and has surrounded himself with the right crowd. And the on-track results are showing.

series in dominant fashion.

He even beat 2016 Olympian Bodi Turner across the line. But less than 24 hours later an eighth place in the Grands Assault National Series, and a measly 20 race points looked to be a return to the Juster of old.

Lightning fast one day, part of the crowd the next.

But the tall man, originally from the Northern Territory, had other ideas and started proving his doubters wrong.

tamed the daunting supercross track to win both the UCI and Grands Assault round, and placed second in the Oceania Championships for good measure.

With the National Series nearing its final stages for 2017, Juster is looking to be in the box seat to win both the UCI series and Grands Assault. But that isn’t all that the hulking rider is after.

“I’ve always wanted to win a national title. I was third At the next round of the last year, so that would be National Series in Sheppar- good to achieve,” Juster ton, the elite men’s event says without hesitation. was again the Turner vs.

Juster show. While Turner “Doing well at the BMX won both the UCI event world championships and Grands Assault, Juster would also be good, and if began selling his consisI am still riding well around In January of this year Just- tency with a pair of second the selections for the Tokyo er made a statement to his place finishes.

Olympics I would like to rivals by winning the first give that a crack. round of the Probikx UCI Come Bathurst, Juster PAGE | 14

“I’m 26 now, and by 2020 I will be 29. Maris Strombergs [Latvia’s dual Olympic gold medallist] was 29 when he competed at the 2016 Olympics. So if he can do it, why not me?

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“That will all hinge on me being injury free and consistent. That second point is key. Whatever level I race at, I want to do well.

Whether it is a club event or worlds, I want to do well.”

They’re fierce ambitions for a guy who wasn’t sure if he would ride the first round of the 2017 National Series, let alone the whole season.

However, changes off track have seemingly been the catalyst for change on the track as well. A move to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, a more demanding job, as ironic as that seems, and an improved social circle have all driven change on track, propelling Juster into the limelight.

“I wasn’t too sure about riding the whole season in January, and the only reason I was at Nerang was because I live on the Sunny Coast now,” admitted Juster.

“Then I won the first round and my family encouraged me to keep riding. My family are a massive influence on my riding, and this is the family sport! They Pic: Paul Goodall/Racer Pics

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Pic: Paul Goodall/Racer Pics

always encourage me to go for it and have fun. I ask them for feedback and my older brother Steve always helps me out when he’s at the track, or if he’s not there he’s watching on the live stream.

and compatriot Simone Biles in gymnastics who In an age when the sportcaptured the hearts of their ing world has an obsession home nation and indeed with youth success, Juster the world. is breaking predispositions that a 26-year-old is too old Formula 1 has the up-andto be a capitalising on their coming Max Verstappen sporting ability. and baseball Bryce Harp“Aside from them I am er. Kobe Bryant was a working a lot more than I BMX isn’t the only sport standout in the NBA when was last year. I’m making with an insatiable appetite he debuted at 18-years bricks and blocks for build- for uncovering the next and 72 days, while tennis ings, and work large shifts. best teen sensation. Who has been on a ride wide Normally 2.30pm to 2am, can forget the 1972 Munich the Williams sisters since so it makes training hard Olympics when 15-yearthe late 1990’s. as BMX track sessions are old swimmer Shane Gould normally in the afternoons won five Olympic medals, Although Juster doesn’t sit and weekends. But I deal three of them gold, Ausin the lofty company of the with what I can and I have tralia and indeed the world aforementioned athletes, been smarter about trainhave celebrated those who his story is one that bucks ing this year. achieve greatness before the trend. He wasn’t a teen their perceived time. sensation, nor did he flour“The other big change ish in his early twenties. It is my social life. I have a In 2000 our nation celhasn’t been until a recent small circle of friends and ebrated the exploits of time of self-realisation they are all positive people. 17-year-old Ian Thorpe, and belief in his own abilI have distanced myself and come Rio 2016 it was ities that Juster has comfrom the negative people 19-year-old American menced fulfilling obvious in my life, you don’t need swimmer Katy Ledecky talent, let alone allowed PAGE | 16

negativity.”

himself to entertain the thought of maybe trialling for an Olympic berth one day.

Juster’s renewed mindset and vigour for the sport is infectious. He’s forthright in discussing why he took so long to find his feet, and excited about changes he has made.

“For the past four years now I have really gone it alone in this sport. I trained at the AIS in 2013, I have been a part of the academy, but those structures didn’t work for me,” he said.

“Doing it on your own is hard, but you learn to pick up tips along the way. I watch other people a lot and try to learn from that, and I have also become much more self-aware.

“At events my circle of friends includes guys like Dirk Winter, former pro Michael Robinson and guys like Joel Clark and Corey Frieswyk who all help me out. I’m pushing harder now, but also staying relaxed. My parents are chilled, and growing up in Darwin we always had a relaxed vibe. Ironically when I am most relaxed I win, when I’m fast the track comes at me slowly and smoothly.

“I’m also finding that if you want to be the best, you need to train with the best.

I do a lot of training with

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Corey and we really push each other. We’re different riders too, so he helps me to spin a bit more and I am helping him with power.

“Eating habits are a big part of my changes as well.

I’m focusing on the right foods, with lots of protein.

I’ve never done that before.”

years left in the sport, and I want to give it my best shot,” said Juster.

“I maybe don’t have too much time left really.”

While Juster is doing all the right things to aid his performance, he’s also more passionate about simply being on the bike. The pure enjoyment of being on two wheels is something that he believes was lacking in years past.

“I normally don’t enjoy riding my bike this much, maybe it’s because I am more restricted with work,” laughs Juster.

“It’s a bit of everything.

My family and everyone around me are giving off positive vibes. I have a new bike too, it’s longer than any other bike I’ve had and compliments my physique. It’s all coming together.”

Although advocating that his age is no restriction, Juster is also realistic that he is now picking up the pace later than most. He isn’t making bold predictions of world championship glory, nor Olympic selection. He’s simply ready to give it a red hot go.

“It feels like I have a few PAGE | 17

BMX Athlete triumphs at track nats South Australia’s Cooper Tye rides to success on The track, eyes BMX glory.

South Australian BMX rider Cooper Tye is proving his versatility as an athlete, after recently claiming a gold medal in the junior men’s under 17 scratch race at the 2017 Junior Track National Championships at the Dunc Gray Velodrome in Sydney.

In recent years Tye has been transforming himself into a BMX front runner, winning the 15-years 2016 BMX Australia Grands Challenge, and is currently leading the Grands Assault National Series with two rounds left to run.

sisted the South Australian team to bronze at the track nationals as a member of the under 17 men’s sprint team.

“I went into that race with tired legs after three previous days of competition, and I wasn’t feeling confident early on. However, as the race progressed I felt better, and as I moved up towards the front near the end of the race I could see the other riders feeling the pain too.

While on paper the results all speak volumes of his ability as a rider, Tye says there is considerable efTye also claimed the #A2 fort put into both sports, plate at the 2016 National recounting his preparation Championships, and for for road nationals and the “I got a rush and kicked. the past few years has payoff of winning a national That gave me a boost to been a member of the BMX title. sprint the final lap and win.

Australia Development Then the bronze medal Academy.

“Leading into the road was just as rewarding, we nationals I was spending had great teamwork.”

Add those recent results to five or six hours week on a second place in the 2016 the velodrome training and From the outside, it may Race of Champions and would also spend time on seem that the track nationsixth in the Grand Nationthe road riding and on the als and preparation that als in Tulsa, Oklahoma and trainer at home,” Tye said. goes with it might have it’s easy to deduce that the been a distraction for Tye past six months have been “Winning gold in the in the midst of the BMX good ones for Tye. scratch race was incrediAustralia National Series bly rewarding. The event is but the 16-years ChamHowever, it is his ability to recognised as one of the biKX competitor believes switch from BMX to track hardest races to win. It’s 30 that his exploits on the cycling that underscores laps of the velodrome at a track have only served to his talent as an athlete. fast pace, with a sprint at compliment his ability as a Along with the gold medal the end BMX rider. in the scratch race, Tye asPAGE | 18

L-R: Tye on the BMX; winning bronze with his SA teammates; in action on the track (Track pics: St. George Cycling Club)

“I think my track riding has improved my BMX performances, which I notice most in my consistency on the timesheets at a BMX meet,” he said.

“This is most likely due to my improved endurance riding, it helps the consistency. It’s also helped me to recover faster between motos.”

“In the future of my BMX career I would like to win a world title and qualify for the Olympic Games, either in 2020 or at the following Games in 2024.

Of course Tye isn’t the only Aussie athlete who is proving that BMX riders have enough talent to jump into other cycling disciplines and excel.

In 2016 two-time BMX Although 2017 has brought Olympian Caroline Busignificant success on the chanan claimed not only track, Tye still has very firm the BMX time trial world goals in BMX, both in the championship, but also immediate and long-term the 2016 UCI MTB 4 Cross future. world championship, her fourth world title on a “This year I would like mountain bike. to place first at the BMX Australia nationals. Then One thing that Buchanan I want to make the final at has in common with Tye the 2017 UCI BMX World is an obvious love for both Championships. I’d also BMX and another cycling like to win the Grands Asdiscipline. View Buchansault National Series and an’s social media channels then place in the top three and you will find an array of at the Grands Nationals in posts of her participating the USA,” Tye adds. in activities on all sorts of bikes, and even some with

motors.

While she may be something of a modern day leader when it comes to BMX riders crossing codes, Tye is following closely in her wake. The young South Australian is a firm believer that a rider can pursue BMX and another sport, so long as they can enjoy the benefits of the juggling act.

“It’s definitely manageable to ride both BMX and compete in another sport. But you must make it fun and enjoyable if you want to succeed. You have to love what you do,” he affirms.

“You can use the skills from one sport in another, and I think there can only be positives in contesting more than one sport.

“It keeps you busy and engaged. I like that.”

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National Series.

CAIRNS preview Far north queensland ready to turn it up The 2017 BMX Australia National Series is reaching a crescendo, and the fourth round in Cairns will signify the conclusion of the Chambikx/ Probikx UCI series and penultimate round of the Grands Assault National Series.

In the first three rounds of the national series there have been a number of riders who have established themselves as clear favourites. Chief among them are junior elite women’s competitor Saya Sakakibara, 16-year’s competitor Molly McGill and 17-29 men’s (17-32 men in Grands Assault) rider Dirk Winter, who all remain undefeated in both series’.

Meanwhile, Molly McGill will be looking to defend against adversary Lorsyn Affoo in the 16-years girl’s event and add to her winning streak thus far in 2017. In 2016, round three of the national series went to Affoo, while McGill won round four. Expect this battle to be hotly contested yet again, but also watch out for Leah Hearne who recently grabbed a podium spot at the ACT Titles behind Saya Sakakibara and Aussie women’s elite champion Leanna Curtis.

location of Curtis’ breakthrough victory in 2016, when she defeated the then seemingly unstoppable Melinda McLeod in round four of the series. It would prove to be the first of a handful of wins against the now-retired McLeod in 2016.

In the elite women’s Probikx UCI race the series leader is Curtis, but so far the Southlike/Illawarra BMX Club member is yet to register a win in the series.

Victory against riders such as New Zealand’s dual When the national series Olympian and London silarrives in Cairns this time ver medallist Sarah Walker around, expect to see in the Oceania ChampionSakakibara as a hot favou- ships will no doubt buoy rite, but beware Caboolture Curtis’ hopes of recapBMX Club competitor Sara turing her winning form in Jones who is hungry to Cairns. break through for victory.

Ironically Cairns was the

Last year Turner claimed a victory in round four, but it was in round three that Queensland rider Corey Frieswyk broke through to claim round three. The twotime Australian champion played a tactical game to outsmart his competition through the first corner, setting up the win.

For Sakakibara it is the same position she was in 12 months ago as a first year junior elite women’s competitor. Cairns hosted rounds three and four of the 2016 national series, and she delivered in spades to continue what would be an undefeated season.

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The elite men’s landscape was vastly different in 2016 than it is in 2017. Leading the series was Bodi Turner, who like this year competed in the first handful of national series rounds.

However in 2017 the elite men’s national series well and truly is under the stewardship of Matt Juster, and it will seemingly take

PAGE | 21 L-R: Leanna Curtis wants win #1 for 2017 (Pic Bruce Morris); as does Nat Rodway; Molly McGill, Lorsyn Affoo & Leah Hearne are expected to shine again; Des’Ree Barnes will return after an injury scare.

something special to knock him out of top spot in the Probikx UCI series.

In the junior men’s race it is Izaac Kennedy controlling the standings, however there are a handful of riders still hungry to claim a win in Cairns. One of those is Lake Macquarie BMX Club rider Nathaniel Rodway, who sits winless for the series thus far and in fifth place. Last year the Novocastrian won the 16-years category and will no doubt be hoping to break the duck this season.

At the other end of the scale there will be a number of riders making their Cairns debut at national series events, and chief among those hoping for a top result will be local rider Shannon Petre in the 14-year-girl’s category.

Petre currently occupies second place in the Chambikx UCI series, and will need to overcome Castle Hill BMX Club rider Paige Harding to win on home turf. A pair of wins in Bathurst will boost Petre’s confidence ahead of her hometown debut.

In the 14-years-boy’s Buddha Baum has been unstoppable, and Jesse Asmus the perennial second place finisher. Baum will attempt to maintain the status quo, while Asmus will need to upset the apple cart for his breakthrough win in the series.

One other story to follow will be the fortunes of 15-year-old girl’s rider Des’Ree Barnes who had an injury scare during the Grand Assault National Series in Bathurst after falling on her right arm. Fortunately the prognosis was nothing more than deep bruising, and Barnes can ride for the chance to seal first place in the Chambikx UCI Series.

Like always, expect that Cairns will provide good hospitality, hot weather and enticing racing. It’s a location fit to host the Chambikx/Probikx UCI finale, and penultimate showdown before the BMX Australia National Championships in April.

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MARCH 2017