Bicycle Motocross New Zealand

BMX New Zealand Inc.
P O Box 12-199
Chartwell
Hamilton
New Zealand 3248
23.5.2014
NEWSLETTER NO. 3
Welcome to the third edition of the National BMXNZ Newsletter. These are put together every three
months and we would encourage clubs to submit stories, news and race reports in here to keep the NZ
BMX community up to date with our news and events - no story is too big or too small. This is a newsletter
with real people stories for our members. Thanks to all of those that contributed.
There are some lovely heart-warming stories in this edition with some of our young guns having had really
great results with the Nationals Elite riders over in the USA and Europe the SX in Papendale.
Thanks to BikeNZ, BMXNZ, Matt Cameron, Daniel Franks, Nick Fox Tanya Nikolajenko, Tracy Thurgood, Ces
Hill, Sharon Cheeseman, Jillian Peck, Sue Walker, Chrissy Perry,Gordon Bearman.
(Cody Stevens) (Cody Stevens & Matt Cameron do battle) (Victoria Hill) (Victoria Hill & Hayley Gedye)
NATIONALS 2014
Local favourite Cody Stevens won the national title in
Wet weather dampened the racing but not the spirits
the weather-affected championship. BikeNZ High
at the BMX National Championships in Tauranga for
Performance rider Matt Cameron (Taranaki) took out
Nationals Championships held over Easter.
Snr Superclass contest.
1
Taranaki’s Victoria Hill proved dominant in the Elite
Cameron, Stevens and Bias also dominated the
women's ranks, unbeaten in all four qualifying races
qualifying rounds in the hotly contested Superclass
on the way to defending her New Zealand title.
division before a smoking final. Cameron and Stevens
Hayley Gedye, also unbeaten in qualifying, finished a
were neck and neck throughout before the Taranaki
close second to her. Great to see the 17-39yr riders
rider showed his experience to edge his way to a
step up and finish 3rd and 4th behind these Elite riders
classy finish. “It was pretty wet out there. I suppose
with
Abby
everyone has to ride the same conditions, but I was
Fox(Gisborne) have a great tussle for 3rd and 4th,
pretty worried about how slippery the track was, but I
which was actually 1st and 2nd in their class, with this
pulled through I guess.” said Cameron.
race finishing in a photo finish.
improved really well, making leaps and bounds
Nicole
Eady
(Whangarei)
and
“Cody’s
which is good to see, he’s got a big future ahead of
There were over 900 event entries in elite and age
him.”
group races as riders from four years to over 50 years
vied for honours. The event also included the
Cameron heads to California next month to train with
selection races for 11-year-olds for the upcoming
fellow high performance rider Marc Willers and
annual Test match against Australia.
compete in the ABA series throughout USA. His main
goal is to perform in the Supercross round in Germany
The Elite men’s field attracted less than eight riders,
in June, which is the first Olympic qualifying round.
with the leading riders in Manchester for the UCI
Supercross. The title was decided over three motos
With just four Elite women entered, the Women’s
with Stevens grabbing two wins and a second for the
Superclass did not run, and instead of a separate Elite
overall honours.
race these talented women raced in with the 17-39
“It feels pretty good, a bit of a
monkey off my back, a weight off my shoulders – I
Challenge Classes.
had a lot of support from Tauranga cheering me on
which was good,” Stevens said. “I’m hoping to get
Hill and Hayley Gedye won all of their individual
over to America again near the end of this year and
motos and semifinals, not racing against one another
do some more racing over there, in with the big guys.
until the exciting final. Hill was victorious in the
I’ll still be training right through winter, and this is a
championship race, just ahead of Gedye – a repeat
good starting point,” said the young rider who was a
of last year’s result for the pair, with North Harbour
First Reserve Elite for last year’s World Championships
rider Shannon Alexander rounding out the podium in
in Auckland.
third place.
Cameron and North Harbour’s Michael Bias jockeyed
Christchurch’s
for 2nd and 3rd in the first two motos, but Bias
Donald Ross dominated the Junior Elite division.
Cayleb
Martin
and
Whangarei’s
dominated the third race to achieve 2nd overall
ahead of Cameron. Michael Bias is heading off to
Europe to compete in his first SX event in Papendale
and then two of the Euro rounds.
2
Results, BikeNZ BMX National Championships, Tauranga:
Male:
Elite: Cody Stevens (Tauranga) 1, Michael Bias (Auckland) 2, Matt Cameron (New Plymouth) 3.
Junior Elite: Cayleb Martin (Christchurch) 1, Donald Ross (Whangarei) 2, Cole McOnie (Te Awamutu) 3.
5 and under: mixed: Matt McFarlane (North Harbour) 1, Ryan Halfpenny (North Harbour) 2, Shannon Davies
(Tauranga) 3.
6 years: Bradley Lautenbach (North Harbour) 1, Tyla Dinsdale (Whangarei) 2, Blaise Boyle (Waitakere) 3.
7 years: Riley Nikolajenko (Levin) 1, Rory Meek (Dunedin) 2, Sam Cannon (East City) 3.
8 years: Ryan Hastings (Rotorua) 1, Will Skipper (Rotorua) 2, Lewis Atkinson (Mountain Raiders) 3.
9 years: Jack Greenough (Cambridge) 1, Maui Morrison (Cambridge) 2, Tipene Kennedy (Kapiti) 3.
10 years: Logan Hall (Cambridge) 1, Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Rotorua) 2, Daniel Butterworth (Rotorua) 3.
11 years: Rico Bearman (Waitakere ) 1, Joshua Brown (Papakura) 2, Finn Currie (North Harbour) 3.
12 years: Ryan Martin (Cambridge) 1, Tasman Wakelin (Nelson) 2, Jono Sargison (Taupo) 3.
13 years: Cailen Calkin (Hamilton) 1, Logan Clarke (Nelson) 2, Ronan Millar (Cambridge) 3.
14 years: Ryan Jordan (Hamilton) 1, Logan Hirst (Taupo) 2, Jamie Williams (North Harbour) 3.
15 years: Maynard Peel (Sunset Coast) 1, Kieran Ngatai (Tauranga) 2, Jayden Fleming (Papakura) 3.
16 years: Josh Smith (Te Awamutu) 1, Carlos Kershaw (Papakura) 2, Kyle Rutherford (Dunedin) 3.
17-29 years: Jono Varty (Kaiapoi) 1, Adam Coker (East City) 2, Avon Peel (Dunedin) 3.
30-39 years: Tim Ferguson (Cambridge) 1, Andrew Jackson (New Plymouth) 2, Jason Waite (Hawkes Bay) 3.
40-49 years: Dave Mohi (Rotorua) 1, Scott Hazlewood (North Harbour) 2, Paul McGarva (Tauranga) 3.
50 years plus: Pete Roden (Tauranga) 1, Noel Frank (Tauranga) 2, Roy Leaning (Christchurch), 3.
Cruiser class, 8-10 years, mixed: James Whyte (Mountain Raiders) 1, Trey Royal (Tauranga) 2, Maui Morrison
(Cambridge) 3.
11 & 12 years, mixed: Dylan Belle (Papakura) 1, Michael Ranford (Taupo) 2, Thomas Marchant (Papakura) 3.
13-14 years: Cailen Calkin (Hamilton) 1, Mitchell McFarlane (Papakura) 2, Braeden Brown (Papakura) 3.
15-16 years: Clay Merito (Te Awamutu) 1, Fletcher Sharman (Alexandra) 2, Connor Scott (Papakura) 3.
17-29 years: Jono Varty (Kaiapoi) 1. Adam Coker (East City) 2, Ben Walter (Cambridge) 3.
30-34 years: Kurt Bagby (East City) 1, Mike Reader (Hawera) 2, Lance Dinsdale (Whangarei) 3.
35-39 years: Steven Schimanski (Hawera) 1, James Grey (Hawkes Bay) 2, Tim Atkinson (Mountain Raiders) 3.
40-44 years: Richie McLachlan (Papakura) 1, Nigel Dixon (New Plymouth) 2, Craig McIntosh (Taupo) 3.
45-49 years: Paul Luttrell (Hamilton) 1, Ash Rawson (Tauranga) 2, Scott Hazlewood (North Harbour) 3.
50 plus: Phil Pinkerton (Tauranga) 1, Pete Roden (Tauranga) 2, Peter Cook (Tauranga) 3.
Female:
Elite: Victoria Hill (New Plymouth) 1, Hayley Gedye (New Plymouth) 2, Shannon Alexander (North Harbour) 3.
Women’s Juniors: Robin Goomes (North Harbour) 1.
6 years: Amy Davies (Tauranga) 1, Paiton Taylor (Northland) 2, Lucy Axon (Papakura) 3.
7 years: Lily Greenough (Cambridge) 1, Bellah Birchall (Rotorua) 2, Meg Short (Rotorua) 3.
3
8 years: Sacha Earnest (Mountain Raiders) 1, Sage Piebenga (New Plymouth) 2, Greer Hall (Cambridge) 3.
9 years: Leila Walker (Cambridge) 1, Brooke Penny (Te Awamutu) 2, Elliot Kale (Tauranga) 3.
10 years: Megan Williams (Rotorua) 1, Jenna Hastings (Rotorua) 2, Ella Daniel (Te Awamutu) 3.
11 years: Tia Hastings-Thurgood (Cambridge) 1, Ruby Laidlaw (Southland) 2, Emma Pugh (North Harbour) 3.
12 years: Charlie Lester-Rosson (Taupo) 1, Shakira Mirfin (Southland) 2, Mia Tuigamala (Waitakere) 3.
13 years: Jessie Smith (Gisborne) 1, Kaly Harcourt (Hamilton) 2, Baylee Luttrell (Hamilton)3.
14 years: Jordan Donaldson (North Harbour) 1, Chelsea Coleman-Te Hiko (East City) 2, Ashley Williams (North
Harbour) 3.
15 years: Amy Martin (Hawkes Bay) 1, Lisa Roguski (Tauranga) 2, Maggie Donovan-Cotter (Rotorua) 3.
16 years: Rebecca Petch (Te Awamutu) 1, Courtney Brunton (Te Awamutu) 2, Zoe Fleming (Papakura) 3.
17-39: Nicole Eady (Whangarei) 1, Abby Fox (Gisborne) 2, Desiree Blakey (Whangarei) 3.
40 years plus: Jude Halley (Gisborne) 1, Leah Belle (Papakura) 2, Jo Coombes (Hutt Valley) 3.
Cruiser, 13-16 years: Rebecca Petch (Te Awamutu) 1, Jessie Smith (Gisborne) 2, Ashley Coleman (Rotorua) 3.
17-29 years: Corrina Lloyd (Christchurch) 1, Alice Rika (Papakura) 2, Abby Fox (Gisborne) 3.
30-39 years: Sarah Pickin (Cambridge) 1, Claire MacDermid (Cambridge) 2, Kelly Cousins (Tauranga) 3.
40 years plus: Amelia Johnston (Dunedin) 1, Leah Belle (Papakura) 2, Jenni Nelson (Cambridge) 3.
Superclass, Male: Matt Cameron (New Plymouth) 1, Cody Stevens (Tauranga) 2, Michael Bias (Auckland) 3.
Mighty 11 Test Team Selection:
Girls - Shakira Mirfin (Southland) – Team Captain, Tia Hastings-Thurgood (Cambridge), Mia Tuigamala (Waitakere)
and Niamh Masson (Tauranga).
Boys - Tasman Wakelin (Nelson) – Team Captain, Jack Keown (Christchurch), Guy Johnston (Cambridge) and
Austin Lupton (Te Awamutu).
CAPTION: Cody Stevens in action. (Credit: Chris Natrass)
NATIONALS
2014
–
TAURANGA’S
STORY – AT LAST (Jillian Peck)
Finally Tauranga Club was able to Host the 2014
National Championships over Easter 2014. They were
to host the 2011 Nationals but due to a number of
circumstances out of the club’s control it was
relocated to Auckland and the Tauranga club were
granted the 2014 Nationals.
Since 2011 it has been a long, hard, sometimes
challenging, but rewarding journey for the club to
host a very successful National event this Easter and
despite the hurdles we had to overcome due to the
weather over the weekend.
(Opening Ceremony)
Friday Racing was cancelled due to the torrential
rain and thunder storms which resulted in moving all
of Good Friday’s programme of Mighty 11 trials,
opening ceremony and practice sessions, over to the
Saturday, and cancelling the Saturday seeding
4
rounds.
On Sunday each class rode three mixed
moto rounds and then into quarter, semi and finals.
On Friday the rain continued to pour down, with most
riders braving the rain to come to the track and
collect their rider packs and have a sneak look at the
Although the weather was not on our side the
track. On Saturday it looked like the rain was clearing
Tauranga Nationals Committee, Tauranga Club and
and clubs started to erect tents while riders got some
BMXNZ hosted a very successful event with rider
practices in. In the morning the Mightly 11 trials were
entries at 986 and spectators well into the thousands.
held and went through with only a light shower or
two. The weather was looking promising for a great
The club could not have hosted the Nationals without
afternoon, but, just as the opening ceremony was
the help of its members, BMXNZ, our generous
about to start and the first few regions had started
sponsors and family and friends in the community
the parade, the heavens opened up and the invited
over the past few years – thank you to you all.
guests and dignitaries ran for cover under a pop for
the opening ceremony.
Tauranga BMX club had 86 riders entered in the 2014
National BMX Championships and won four National
After the opening ceremony the track remained in
Titles (Cody Stevens, Pete Roden, Phil Phinkerton &
good condition and there were breaks in the
Amy Davies) plus a raft of Silver and Bronze
weather so all riders got to have their practice
medallists. Tauranga also won the Pocock Trophy for
sessions.
the
highest
points
at
the
National's!
A huge
achievement.
In the couple of weeks leading up to the Nationals
the committee was on task with all the little jobs
getting completed and the weather was great, with
sunny days, a little wind and the occasional drop of
rain at night – great weather for final touches to the
track and surrounds to ensure a great weekend of
(Amateur Racing was fast and furious)
racing.
Unfortunately, on the Wednesday just prior to Easter it
started to rain and by Thursday a storm was brewing
with little chance that a break in the weather was
going
to
come.
It
was
therefore
decided
to postpone Good Friday’s programme of Mighty 11
trials, opening ceremony and practice sessions over
to the Saturday, cancel the Saturday seeding rounds
During the practice sessions and Elite racing there
were a couple of spills and a soft spot appeared on
the Elite section, which a handful of National
Committee members and BMXNZ officials work late
into the night to repair in time for Sunday’s racing.
Thank you to you dedicated 10 families that stayed
behind and helped, you did an amazing job.
and on Sunday have each class ride 3 mixed moto
rounds and then into quarter, semi and finals.
5
On Sunday the rain was consistently on and off, but
trusts and community sponsors. We have a Progate
the track was still in good condition, so it was racing
style safety gate with locally designed software
as planned. Three motos, quarters, semis and finals
Do you have a loyal bunch of parents? Very much
went along without a hitch and the 2014 NZ 1's were
so. Our club, let alone the National Championships,
decided. A great day’s racing despite the damp
would not exist without this core group of members
conditions.
and parents.
How do you attract new members? We continually
We had a few issues with the parking paddock and
promote
the
club
through
local
media
and
people trying to stay dry but all in all it was a
encourage new membership with a trial period to
successful event. The Tauranga club ran a shop with
ensure they enjoy themselves before committing to a
hot chips, burgers, sausages, sweets and baking, and
membership. We host an annual 'have a go' month
this kept a very dedicated bunch of parents on their
which is run in conjunction with Sport BOP and Bike
toes all weekend – a great job guys, well done.
Wise during National Cycling month.
Club training is done during summer - Sprockets
The BMXNZ officials and volunteers ran a very smooth
(under 8yrs) Wednesday evenings, Intermediate &
event with everything running to time despite the
Senior's Thursday evenings. Free for members.
bad weather, something we can all be proud off.
Coaches are elected annually from some of our most
Thanks to you all, without your dedicated help we
experienced riders, which is reflected in the results.
could not have done it without you.
Senior
Coach
-
Ash
Rawson
(multiple World
Championship medallist and life member with 8
The club could not have hosted the Nationals without
National Titles). Intermediate Coach - Cody Stevens
the help of its members, BMXNZ, our generous
(2014 NZ Elite Champion!)
sponsors and family & friends in the community over
Do you have a development group? We have a
the past few years, thank you to you all.
strong committee who meet regularly. Promoting the
club and developing the facility are always top of
Some info about Tauranga Club
the agenda.
When was club established? The club was established
What competitions do you hold? We host an annual
in 1974. 2014 is our 30th anniversary. The new track
National Qualification race meeting, annual Club
“Cambridge Road BMX / MTB Track Park” opened in
Champs, club nights (Tuesdays) during Summer, Club
December 2011.
Days (Sundays) during Winter.
What ages does your club cater for? The clubs has
Do some of your club travel to compete? Anyone
licensed riders from 4yrs to 65 years.
wanting to compete in the National Championships
What are the facilities and track like? Designed by
must complete at least 4 National Qualification
Olympian Kurt Pickard and Life Member Ash Rawson
meetings, which are hosted most weekends between
the facility is of an international standard with asphalt
September & March each year.
start
Our
Who are your high profile riders? Kurt Pickard (High
command centre/club rooms were completed for
Performance Team member and Olympian), Vanessa
the Nationals.
Quinn (current World champion), Cody Stevens
The track was built and is maintained 100% by club
(current Elite Champion).
ramp
and
massive
berms
(corners).
members with financial assistance from charitable
6
Tauranga won the Pocock Trophy for the highest
Tasmin Wakelin and Shakira Mirfin were the dominant
points at the National's! A huge achievement.
riders in all four of the motos and were well placed
going to the semi and finals. Jack Keown and Guy
Johnston were battling Austin Lupton, Matt Pinkerton
and Rhys Halligan for finals places as well. The motos
were contested vigorously and riders were made to
work hard for their placings in the Mighty 11 Boys
selection.
Tia Hastings Thurgood and Mia Tuigamala were on
equal points Niamh Masson, Brooke Compain and
(Tauranga Riders )
Renee O'Hearn were also contesting for a place in
the Mighty 11 Girls selection. The top 8 riders in the
The Tauranga BMX track moved from Sulphur point to
girls were into the finals.
Cambridge Road BMX Park and opened the new
The semi-finals for the boys saw Guy Johnston and
track in Feb 2011.
Tasmin Wakelin winners and Jack Keown and Auston
Lupton in the second spots, with Bennett Greenough
and Rhys Halligan filling the third places.
The final races for both teams showed which Mighty
11's were most determined to grab those places and
Tasman Wakelin from the Nelson BMX Club
and
Shakira Mirfin from Southland BMX Club were the
most successful. They will be the captains of their
(Tauranga Track )
MIGHTY 11s
respective teams when they meet Australia in the
Mighty 11 Test.
Jack Keown from Christchurch BMX Club, Guy
Johnston from Cambridge BMX Club and Austin
The 26 riders in the Mighty 11 Boys selection and 11
Lupton Te Awamutu BMX Club will be members of the
riders in Mighty 11 Girls selection were put on hold at
Mighty 11 Boys Team.
the 2014 BMXNZ National Championship as Tauranga
BMX Club was hit by a weather bomb delaying
Tia Hastings Thurgood from Cambridge BMX Club,
racing. The Mighty 11 trialists have trained hard for
Mia Tuigamala from Waitakere BMX Club and Niamh
this event and their expectations were rewarded on
Masson Tauranga BMX Club will represent the Mighty
Saturday as the track was in great condition despite
11 Girls Team.
the heavy weather.
7
Clive
Telford
will
be
the
coach
and
Sharon
Cheesman the Manager. Congratulations to all of
the successful riders and to all of the Mighty 11 trialists
who make this event a long standing tradition of the
BMXNZ racing scene.
TIA THURGOOD – BIG DREAMS AND
GOALS – ALL ACHIEVED
Tia Thurgood had some huge goals she set herself for
Nationals weekend and she achieved all three of
them.
Tia won the Nationals Series for 11 yr girls three
years running.
Tia made it into Mighty 11's team in 2nd place
the only 11yr old to make it in and the first girl
from the Cambridge club to be a Mighty 11's
girl.
Tia won back her No1 in the 11 girls
Tia won No.1 North & South Island titles this
season.
(M11 Boys Team )
Well done Tia!!
(M11Girls Team )
Also see article in Southland times.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/sport/10011895/Mighty-performance-from-
(Tia showing off her style at Nationals )
Shakira/
8
RILEY NIKOLAJENKO– NO 1- 7YRS
BOYS
To see him at prize giving, standing there, and then to
raise his trophies right up with a huge smile was
amazing, you could see the pride he had and the
realization of what he had just achieved.
(Riley with his cup, plate and cake!)
WOW, what an emotional time, it isn’t often I shed
(Proudly displaying trophies)
tears in public but watching my little guy power
around that track to win his final was definitely a tear
Riley has been riding bikes since he was 2.5 years –
jerker!
we would take him to the track and he would sit on
the final straight waiting for the other riders to go past
As Riley went off to his final I told him “stay safe, have
then we would give him a push and he would bike
fun, and ride hard”. I gave him a high five and off he
off - complete with training wheels. It all started form
went. Once he leaves it is up to him. I have asked
this.
him before what he thinks of up on the gate
“Nothing, I think about nothing, except for getting to
Being the youngest of three boys he has had to learn
the corner first”. Nerves kick in hearing his name
to keep up, his brothers do not wait for him on or off
being announced, and then the wait for the gate to
the track, so in the eyes of some he was considered a
drop.
“daredevil”.
I
remember
being
called
by
his
kindergarten teachers asking me to please talk with
I had the whole Wellington region yelling out to him
him because he is making jumps and jumping the
as he was pedalling around the track - with an
tricycles, and because he was riding them so fast
intense roar as he biked past us on the first corner … I
and cornering them so fast they were almost tipping
remember someone saying behind me “1st corner ….
and other children were scared he was going to hurt
2nd corner ….3rd corner”, in suspense to make sure the
them.
wet track didn’t take him down. The atmosphere
combined with the end result was crazy … absolutely
I also remember the day after we took them to
crazy J. It is such an adrenalin rush, the noise, the
watch Crusty Demons Live, I would look out the
commentators, the riders. We watch the video of the
window to a 3. 5 year old yelling out “you ride it you
final just about every night; he smiles and giggles
jump it” as he was peddling his 16” kmart bmx up a
watching it – so proud.
wheelbarrow he had flipped over and laid a piece of
ply wood on top off! Thrill seeker!
9
Currently Riley holds South Island #1, North Island #1
WORLDS
and New Zealand #1 …… he now considers himself
MANAGER
famous, especially after he was asked to sign a
number plate after winning his final, he had a grin
from ear to ear.
As his parents, the next goal for us is to be able to
take the boys to Australia next year to ride some
tracks over there; although I have been told his
trademark golden curls may have to be cut due to
the heat and his head overheating in his helmet. I
may need to think this trip through a bit more! Riley
will defend all three of his titles in the coming events
in NZ, but would like to have a few races over in OZ to
see what it is like.
Riley’s personal goal is to be selected for the CRUPI
Dalliston Team, and of course to keep his #1 on his
2014
–
SUE
WALKER,
BMX Worlds 2014 in Rotterdam are taking shape for
just over fifty New Zealand riders. After approximately
three quarters of riders being New Zealanders at the
2013 Worlds in Auckland, this year will see many of
the seasoned world riders in action again. Thanks to
parents and riders, training sessions have been
organised both in New Zealand prior to departure
dates and at a venue near Rotterdam in July. UCI,
www.uci.ch has information relating to the Worlds, so
too does www.bmxholland.eu. If any riders heading
to the Worlds haven't received the first newsletter,
please email susan.walker@xtra.co.nz. Best wishes to
riders and supporters as they prepare mentally,
financially and physically for
the challenge in
Rotterdam.
plates.
MANCHESTER SX- DANIEL FRANKS
(Great Plate and Cake from his celebrations)
A huge thank you to all who have helped us along
the way, to the support and encouragement, the
The 2014 season was upon us! Over the NZ summer it
kind words and messages we have received – Thank
had seemed like an eternity since I last raced. Chula
You, we truly appreciate the friendships we have
Vista WC (September) was the end of the 2013
made in this BMX community.
season for me and since then it had been nose to the
grindstone for 5 months building strength for the
upcoming season. Five months with not a breath of
racing had been gruelling and tough, but I wouldn’t
have had it any other way. It was time to get back
10
into competitive racing to see if all the summer’s hard
enjoyed myself before qualifying. With the 2014 came
work had paid off, so I was super excited coming into
a new qualifying format. In the past you had to do a
Manchester.
single Time Trial to make the top 64 cut, but now they
gave away the TT for a 3-moto format. Manchester
was the first race they were débuting this new format.
Personally, I would prefer the TT format because it is
strength of mine but racing would make it more
exciting.
(Manchester Track )
There was mixed emotions about getting back in the
As a team, we headed off a week early as we had a
gate, but it was good to know the 2014 season was
training week on the World Cup track before the
underway. I struggled with my first heat race with a
event started. As soon as we arrived it was freezing
5th, but finished strong with a 2nd and a 1st in the other
cold and we all knew we should have packed
heats to qualify through to tomorrow night’s finals in
warmer clothes. The weather was overcast and
31st. There were 150 riders trying to qualify to 48 spots
gloomy which was quite a change from the warm NZ
in only 3 heat races. There were some big names that
summer!
failed to qualify so it was a relief to make it through.
We had 3 sessions on the SX track leading into the
event. Coming into the first session we were all so
nervous! We had watched so many videos, which in
hindsight was not a great idea as most of the videos
were of crashes. The 2nd straight pro section was big
and steep, which was all doing our heads in. The rest
of the team all looked to me to jump the 2 nd straight
first because they knew that if anyone was going to
make it through there first it was going to be me. After
I had been through the rest of the guys did as well
and we got into the session. The track was super fun
and fast! The big jumps and high speeds were right
up my alley and I was having a blast all week! Big
smile on my face. The Great Britain and Aussie teams
joined us on a few occasions and it was great to be
able to ride with buddies and get a feel for the track
before the World Cup kicked off.
Before we knew it, the first practice was upon us.
Having all ridden the track the week before, all the
nerves of the first practice were pushed aside. I just
went out there and had fun, threw some whips and
(Daniel Mixing up during racing )
Saturday night brought round race night. With racing
not starting till 7pm it was hard to fill the morning
without getting anxious about that night. The stands
were full and the atmosphere inside the arena was
spectacular.
An outside lane in my first round got me squeezed
into the first turn but managed to climb my way back
to finish 4th. 2nd round was a little bit better and I
managed to get a good start and clean run through
the first turn. Holding on through the 2 nd straight was
the key to doing well as so many riders came in too
hot and over jumped the big step up. A clean lap
11
saw me end up 3rd with 1 round left. I was lucky
the 3rd World Cup of the year. Can’t wait for what the
enough to have an inside lane next to Connor Fields
rest of the season holds!
and we both got out great and I slotted behind him
into the first turn. From there it was follow the leader
to the finish line in hopes of a good lap time to qualify
me high for the quarterfinals.
Stay tuned to all my updates on my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/daniel.franks.22
Thanks for reading,
22”
(Daniel Showing style)
My 3rd round lap got me into 3rd pick for the quarter
and I lined up between Joris Daudet and Barry
Nobles. I got a good snap but Joris beat me out and
fell into my lane to shut me off. Being on the back
foot on the start I raced towards the inside of the first
turn to get a good line but it was not to be. As I dove
MATT CAMERON – ELITE RIDER
under I collided with another rider, which put me to
2014 rolled through pretty fast from 2013 without even
the ground. I could only watch as the rest of the field
realizing we had changed years.
raced on. No injuries for me but I came up a little
from USA in December 2013 from racing the ABA
short of the goal of making the semi-final. Never the
Grand Nationals and other stops on the ABA USA
less, I had loads of fun riding the track and there were
national circuit. Since returning things seemed to be
many work-ons to come out of the event. It was
in fast forward with 2014 season planning and
awesome to watch the rest of the kiwi guys make it
Christmas right on my doorstep.
I returned home
through to the semi with impressive riding! New
Zealand is really starting making their stamp on the
In
international scene and it is super exciting to be a
performance program and made the move to
part of.
Cambridge to be with staff, the new velodrome and
January
I
centralized
as
part
of
a
high
to train as one unit with the rest of the BMX high
Next race for me is in the USA where I will compete at
performance members in the gym and in out on the
2 National Series Rounds before heading to Berlin for
track.
12
I have also been getting around a few organisations
Since moving up to the Waikato, I have dedicated a
and schools to spread the word about what BMX is all
lot of my time to coaching riders. This has been over
about and where it can take you.
various abilities and ages from a club level in
Hamilton to personalised group coaching ages 9-11,
Training has been going well with having a solid block
12-15, junior elites and one on one.
in before I head back over to USA to race in the USA
ABA national circuit once again in May. All of my
training is based around turning up to the states to be
on point. I will be living with fellow one of my good
buddies and fellow kiwi rider Marc Willers where we
will train and race together. I then will be heading to
Berlin, Germany for the third world cup of the year
and the first round of Olympic qualifying.
I then will head back to the states and continue on
my ABA race journey. The plan is to head back to
New Zealand in August for a month then head back
over to California and finish off the world cup series
and also continue on with some more USA racing.
(Matt Cameron visiting local New Plymouth schools )
Coaching in the younger groups my goals were
Once the season is over there, I will head back home
simple; teach these guys the correct ways and
to New Zealand where I will once again base myself
tactics/ manoeuvres of racing BMX on the track and
out of Cambridge to carry on building my engine
having fun with them whilst doing it.
and chasing gains out on the track with the staff and
the rest of the high performance New Zealand
Coaching with the elites, my goals were to teach
athletes.
these guys how to train correctly, have patience with
what we do in our sport, training their minds (sports
Follow
my
journey
on
Instagram,
psychology) and give them all the tools they need in
Facebook. @mattcameron949
Twitter
and
training to enable them to achieve and move
forward into their career and life.
On top of that I have also been heading around the
country with a couple of sponsors on board doing
coaching clinics at local clubs down in Wellington, in
my hometown New Plymouth, and also small training
clinics over in Tauranga on the nationals track to help
get these riders ready to achieve their goals come
nationals.
(Matt Cameron showing his stuff at Nationals )
13
DESOTO, TEXAS | SUPER NATIONALS
NICK FOX – BMX LIFE IN USA
It was my 2nd race of this year in USA and at one of
my local tracks that I practice at over here. I was
feeling fast leading up to the race so had a good
feeling about this race.
Friday practice went well
and left me feeling positive for the weekends racing.
I turned up to the track on Saturday to probably
about 9 or 10 degrees and rain, something everyone
had said happens at this race but with it being 20-25
degrees the last 3 weeks didn't believe them. But it
was freezing. Racing started off well with a 3rd, then
6th and a 4th with snuck me into quarter finals. I had
been having trouble relaxing all day to get out of the
gate well so decided to just try and switch off and
relax. I had an awesome start in the Quarter but from
Lane 8 you needed more than that and just couldn't
get across, ending up 5th after charging at the line
finishing inside the top 20 for the day.
First moto I had an absolute killer gate start from lane
8 but unfortunately the 7 guys inside me also did and
went 4 or 5 wide into first turn and I came out second
best with an 8th place. Second moto I had an
outside lane again, put together another good gate
and was sitting in 3rd until the last turn where I tried to
make a move and it was slick from the rain or cold
and crashed. Another 8th place and it had put me
out of contention of quarter finals.
I still had one more moto left and my first inside lane
of the weekend so had another good gate and
finished 2nd. Definitely unfortunate I didn't qualify
through as I was really feeling it on this day, but the
positives of being able to produce 3 consistently fast
gates is something I have been working towards for a
long time and been a big weakness for me so I'm
stoked with that and the progress that I have been
making!
Something that I am working on, and a big reason for
being in USA is being able to believe that I am at the
level of people I grew up and still do look up to. To
line up next to them on the gate and being in a
position where I am in front of them and can cut
them off is a weird situation but definitely proof that I
am at the elite level I need to be at.
I am confident with my racing now and it is the
refining the minor skills both mentally and physically
(Nick Fox – Yess Rider in Desota )
that I’m looking to increase to gain the competitive
advantage over the other riders which I know I have.
Sunday was a brutal day. It was a 5:30 am wake up
and arrive to the track in the dark and even colder
than the day before plus heavy rain. Luckily it was an
indoor track so racing still went on. I seemed to have
no luck this weekend with lane choice getting stuck
on the outside for the majority of the weekend with
one inside lane the whole time.
14
KAPITI BMX CLUB- “REGIONAL BMX
AT ITS BEST” (Chrissy Perry)
(Snr Riders join in the fun)
Thanks to everyone who supported our annual ‘Le
Mans’ meeting in January – it was great to get such
(Lining up for recent Le Mans race )
positive feedback and see everyone enjoying our
Ok we may be one of the smallest clubs in NZ but we
friendly environment. With our 4 newly tar sealed
are growing steadily, sure know how to have fun and
corners, it was awesome to see all the photos on
we certainly don’t take ourselves too seriously!
Facebook and we thoroughly enjoyed hosting all
riders from our very supportive Region and beyond.
Mr Boggiss’s Le Mans ‘starting position’ seemed to
draw a lot of comments. We now have all 6 corners
(yes, 6 corners!) tar sealed, thanks to NZCT and Lion
Foundation for your generosity and our wonderful
track team led by Dave L, Andy and Matt – 6 years of
dreaming and funding applications …
(Great fun was had by all)
Wednesday Training nights with Sam Cotton and
Cara Leyten started off the season with a handful of
members and enthusiastic potentials and grew so
fast that parents had to step in to assist with ‘crowd
control’. Well done you two! Of course as we all know
successful training nights mean new members and
(Warren Boggiss showing his great start pose)
every Friday Club night saw more new faces and
Nationals was a blast with 3 of our newest and
members signing up. We managed to reel in the
youngest members taking on the best in NZ- well
sprockets, then the older siblings and then (of course)
done Tom, Toby and Ella, thanks for carrying the
the competitive dads who couldn’t watch from the
Kapiti banner so proudly guys. Congratulations to
side lines any longer – You know who you are!
Tipene for making podium and all our riders who rode
with true Kapiti spirit.
15
outdoors in wet and windy conditions at Papendal. It
was not such good news for world championship
silver medallist Marc Willers who was caught up in
two crashes and did not progress from the qualifying
motos for the first time.
The two riders were the only BikeNZ high performance
riders competing at Papendal, along with North
(And go! Start of a Le Mans race!)
Harbour’s Michael Bias who rode well with a third and
Best of luck to Liam at the Worlds, first rider in the
Wellington Region to be selected at Men Junior level.
Many from the club will roll on to famous ‘Hawera
Indoor’ as the last event of the season and then we
can’t wait till the new season rolls around to keep
growing in membership and enjoying our racing (with
our new Club jerseys).
fourth place in elimination rounds, unluckily he
crashed in third place in the final elimination moto.
Wet weather delayed racing on the first day and the
slippery track made for challenging conditions on
day two.
Jones, who missed out on a spot in the final in
Manchester by one place, was in impressive early
form to finish second overall from his group after the
JONES
BEST
OF
KIWIS
AT
BMX
SUPERCROSS IN THE NETHERLANDS
three morning motos. He enjoyed two second
placings and a third to qualify second behind
American Steven Cisar.
Teenage BMX Trent Jones secured his second straight
semi-final at the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in The
He was second in the quarterfinal from gate five,
Netherlands at the weekend.
finishing behind local star Jelle van Gorkom but
enjoying a big scalp by holding off Olympic medallist
Sam Willoughby (AUS), who was making his World
Cup season debut.
Jones got caught up as two riders crashed in front of
him in the semi-final and his evasive actions meant
he had to settle for sixth place to miss out on the final.
“Trent rode really well all weekend and was definitely
unlucky not to make the main. It will come and he is
developing very well,” said BikeNZ national coach
(Trent Jones)
Ryan Hollows.
The 19 year old from North Canterbury was in superb
form at the second round of the World Cup staged
16
Willers got on the wrong side of two crashes and
We arrived on the Thursday and got straight into it.
heavy traffic in his motos, with his three sixth placings
Built the bike and few manuals and hotel car park
not enough to progress to the elimination races.
ride later it was time for dinner and bed. Friday was
“Marc was in the wrong place in two of his motos.
practice and pre-race day. The pre-race has no
Unfortunately that’s racing on what was a tough two
points for the series but is a good chance to get a
days where the weather played such a big part in
couple of laps before the weekends racing. The way
the outcome,” said Hollows.
they do things here is to have 2 separate days of
racing. Saturday you have motos and a final and
Willoughby showed his class to win his semifinal from
then the same again Sunday, so its 2 separate events
the outside gate and grab the prime draw for the
as such.
final which he won from Twan van Gendt (NED) and
Sunday is another day to start fresh.
If you have a shocker on Saturday then
first round winner Liam Phillips (GBR) who won the
world title in Auckland last year.
The track was built indoor for just the weekend , it was
definitely smaller than NZ tracks but the it seemed to
Olympic medallist Laura Smulders (NED) gave the
be fun and provided plenty of close, fast racing.
locals plenty to shout about in winning the women’s
Racing went well for Rico over the weekend, taking
final from rising star Felicia Stancil (USA).
the win for both Saturday and Sunday. In doing so he
was awarded the A3 most impressive rider of the
New Zealand will field a full squad in the third round
weekend.
of the World Cup in Berlin next month as a lead-up to
the world championships in The Netherlands, to be
This was the race report from BMX NEWS
staged indoors in Rotterdam.
At every national I get to attend, there always seems
to be a different type of feeling circulating in the air.
Things were no different here in West Monroe, or
Munroe as locals pronounce it. When the last gate
BEARMANS ON TOUR
dropped and folks started shuffling out, there were
Louisiana
three riders who really stood out during Saturday’s
We had planned a family holiday around a work trip
racing.
to the states and no bike riding planned, this didn't
go down to well with Rico. He figured if we were
going all the way over there then he wasn't going to
miss out on catching up with friends that have been
made over the years of BMX and the chance to also
compete
against
them
in
one
of
the
most
competitive series in BMX. The calendar was perfect
for our schedule 3 national rounds in 2 weeks.
So we made the long haul to Monroe Louisiana,
famous for its southern food & Duck Dynasty TV series.
The first of those was Rico Bearman coming straight
out of Auckland. He did not lose a single lap all day
and he is definitely looking to take over the 10X class.
I already have a good feeling he will be taking wins
in both open and class again tomorrow.
Rico Bearman was tops of the 10 year olds, taking a
double-double in 10x and 9-10 Open. Fierce enough
to earn him a new award USA BMX is giving out on
Sundays before the mains on national weekends.
17
they both had made the trip to Arizona. Maynard
was there with his Factory team that he has been
racing with this season and Logan had made the trip
out from NZ to get a taste of some serious racing.
The sun was out and there were plenty of riders
entered. There were 40+ just in the expert class which
provided awesome racing even in the motos.
(Rico leading the charge)
All 3 of the kiwis proved to the Americans that they
weren't here just to spectate with all making the finals
Phoenix
Next stop was Phoenix, another day of traveling and
a late arrival, lucky everything is open all the time in
America. Once picked up by the Dittrick Family it was
time for the boys to catch up and for me to down
some local craft beers and sushi. The boys got to
have a training session with Bubba Harris which
awesome, Rico totally enjoyed the opportunity to
ride with such a legend of the sport.
The rest of the team rolled in on Thursday, so we went
go karting and caused Chaos. 15 BMX'ers on a gokart was always going to fun.
We ended up one rider down for the weekend with
Julian Dittrick crashing in practice and broke his wrist
quite badly so that wasn't an ideal start to the
weekend. This was his local national so he was pretty
gutted to say the least. Friday Rico didn't do the prerace as it seems to be a tradition that all the factory
teams skip racing and all go out for dinner and talk
shop which was a good opportunity for the kids to all
catch up parents to have some down time prior to
the weekend.
Saturday was upon us and it was time to get down to
the track and race. Rico was looking forward to
catching up with Maynard Peel and Logan Hall as
on both days. All three age groups had kids that had
made the worlds finals from NZ. Logan and Rico
raced against 3 finalist from the worlds which is
makes it really competitive and a great challenge for
them.
Maynard crashed out on Sunday in spectacular style
over the berm while challenging for the lead. Logan
picked up a 2nd on Saturday while leading 4 out of 5
straights and then on Sunday he had a crash which
took the edge of his speed, still made the main on
Sunday but didn't get the win which he definitely was
capable of. Watch this space as I am sure he will
have a factory ride after his performances. Rico
managed to get the wins on Saturday and Sunday
again after some intense racing over the weekend
against some of America’s top riders.
BMX NEWS REPORT
In the Am ranks there were a bunch of hot shoes
getting the job done. New Zealander Rico Bearman
came away with a double in the 9-10 and 10 expert
classes. Redman has another top contender on his
squad in him. One of his fellow countrymen was also
in attendance and we're not taking about Marc
Willers. 14x Maynard Peel (World #3) is riding for
Phoenix Pro Cycles and nearly got himself a win in the
wind. He and Kevin Pauls had an epic drag race
down Black Mountain's super smooth first straight.
18
Pauls was barely able to hold off the hard charging
BMX NEWS REPORT
kiwi and take the victory.
We last saw Kiwi Rico Bearman in Louisiana. And here
he was, tearin’ it up Oldsmar as well. This is first round,
Florida
Florida was the last stop of the 3 races we were
third straight sky action on Saturday. Rico was suave
in Florida.
doing. Multiple flights later and we had arrived in
Florida. This stop on the circuit was a Pro round which
meant Nick Fox would be in attendance. Rico was
excited again to be able to travel around the world
and meet kiwis at 2 out of the 3 rounds. Marc was
also there but he has become a permanent feature
on the US circuit. Nick had it pretty tough with 70+ AA
pros with the big names in the sport there. He was
riding awesome and footing it with the best, even
giving Sam W a hurry up in one race; it’s pretty cool
to see that he is doing really well in the states. Even
though he isn't on the HP team it shows that if you
really want it you can work hard, put the hours in and
succeed yourself.
The racing again was tough in Rico's class but he
managed to get wins on both Saturday and Sunday.
With the wins he has achieved it has put him on top
off the USA NAG points which is a pretty big thing in
the states.
The coolest thing about the Florida race wasn't that
Rico managed to get the wins but to be able to
watch the pros. Not watching them race, it was
awesome to see how the pros interacted with
Australia 10th-11th May
everyone at the race, they didn't exclude themselves
It was a last minute decision to hop across the ditch
from everyone thinking they were better. The kids
to compete in the Pine Rivers & Caboolture double
were throwing balls with Maris in the car park, chilling
header. The 11 boys’ class in Australia is pretty
with Connor Fields, Sharrah, Herman, Alise Post,
competitive and provided some awesome racing.
Mariana Pajon – the list goes on. The attitude they
The defending 11 year boys World champ was
have was awesome to see, something maybe some
present amongst other top ten Aussie plate holders.
of our top rider can learn from.
Having never ridden either of these tracks and
arriving at midnight the night before racing would be
19
great for having limited time to dial in a track. Being
NZ Junior Men:
able to adapt to a track as quick as possible has to
Cayleb Martin
be a bonus when not competing on your local track.
Todd Barry
Codi Merito
Racing on Saturday went well with Rico taking four
Liam Perry
wins from four, which had him first on points heading
into the final day. Final day consisted of three more
1st Reserve:
motos then it was semis and finals time.
Donald Ross
The final was pretty stacked as far as 11 year olds go.
2nd Reserve:
It was a long and fast first straight with Rico rounding
Jarrod Browning
the first corner in first and he managed to hold onto
that lead until the line. With racing done and dusted
Congratulations on your selection.
in was time for a quick swim at the Tucker household
and off to the airport for another midnight arrival
Nationals Rankings:
home. Big thanks to the Tuckers for their hospitality
Here are the Rider rankings and Mighty 11 Results
and Pine Rivers BMX for getting us over there and
from the Tauranga National Championships 2014
putting on an awesome BBQ and race meet.
link here:
https://www.bikenz.org.nz/Calendar?Action=View&C
alendar_id=27
FROM BMXNZ
BMX New Zealand is pleased to announce the New
Zealand Team of Junior Men for 2014 UCI World
Championship in Rotterdam
These
results
have
also
been
posted
to
the
www.bmxnationals.co.nz homepage and the normal
BMX Results page on the BikeNZ website.
Next Newsletter is due out 3 August- send stories to d.foxy@xtra.co.nz by 1 August 2014
20