BMX-Club-Vechta e.V.

After crashing in the Beijing Olympic final, Jared Graves has returned to the BMX track with success on his mind and taken out the National Series round on the Gold Coast overnight. The 27 year old from Toowoomba in Queensland dominated a star studded final which included USA’s Danny Caluag and Japan’s Tatsumi Matsushita.

It was the defending national series winner, Brian Kirkham from Adelaide, who lay down the challenge to Graves but Kirkham had to be content with second place. The pressure was too much for fellow Adelaide rider and current world cup series winner, Sam Willoughby, who dominated the heats to finish in fifth place in the final just behind Josh Callan from Victoria. Caluag placed a respectable third.

The colourful Kamakazi also had a comeback to racing after a break following the Olympics and made it to the semi-finals.

The women’s race was taken out by national champion, Caroline Buchanan from Canberra, while USA rider, Alise Post impressed with second place. Western Australia’s Lauren Reynolds claimed third while Queensland’s Rachel Bracken rode into fourth spot. The junior men’s race was secured by Matthew Dunsworth from Victoria while the Western Australian rider, Kristen Dellar won the junior women’s race.

Champbikx winners were: 16 boys – Bodi Turner (Eastfield, VIC); 16 girls - Madiison Janssen (Nerang, QLD); 15 boys – Kerrod Connors (Nerang, QLD); 15 girls – Macey Gore (Ashmore, QLD); 14 boys – Aaron Nottle (Westside, WA); 14 girls – Jade Parker (Bundaberg, QLD).

The round also doubled as a UCI Oceania Round with riders scoring valuable international points.

Racing continues tomorrow with round four of both the national and Oceania rounds with Champbikx (14 – 16) and Probikx (elite and junior) racing between 10 am until 12 noon.