Izaac Kennedy makes it two podiums from four rounds in Papendal
NATIzaac Kennedy continues to leave his mark on the world stage, grabbing his second podium of the year in round 3 of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup series in Papendal.
The Nerang BMX club rider looked on the pace from the early rounds and came into the final second quickest behind French rider Sylvain Andre.
The national champion did not have the best start from gate 2, clipping out of his pedal into turn one and nearly going off the track however he managed to regain his composure and navigate his way through the field to place third, falling short of silver by less than two-hundredths of a second.
Round 4 proved difficult for Kennedy, the number seven in the world narrowly missing out on the final. This leaves Kennedy sitting fifth overall on the World Cup standings after four rounds, with four rounds to come in Bogota in September and October.
Lauren Reynolds is still one of the most consistent riders on the circuit; a fantastic weekend for the three-time Olympian saw Reynolds place fourth in round 3 and fifth in round 4.
The number five in the world continued her 2022 form with some smooth riding on the technical parts of the track. Reynolds's semi-final display on both days was a highlight, coming out of the gates quickly and setting herself up for the rest of the race in sensational style.
Elite women's national champion Saya Sakakibara had a crash early in round 3, which ruled her out for the weekend. We wish the Tokyo Olympian a speedy recovery after hitting her head in the impact.
Sakakibara and Reynolds sit seventh and eighth on the World Cup rankings after four rounds.
Josh McLean's returned to World Cup action for the first time in two years in Papendal. The Knox BMX club rider has been one of the strongest riders over the last two years on the USA BMX circuit and came into the rounds in fine form.
Although McLean was one of the quickest down the hill and into the first berm, he could not make it into the semi-finals in round 3 but had a stronger round 4, making the semi-finals and finishing 24th overall.
Oceania champion Bodi Turner has been consistent all year domestically and now internationally, with the Victorian rider placing 24th and 26th across the weekend after a strong performance in Glasgow for rounds 1 and 2.
Max Cairns was another consistent performer over the weekend, making the quarterfinals on both days to finish 32nd and 31st across the two rounds.
In the men's under 23, Kyle Hill impressed in round 3, placing ninth and narrowly missing out on his first final at a World Cup round whilst Jack Davis made the semi-finals in round 3 but was unable to compete in round 4 due to a thumb injury.
Full results from the weekend can be found here.
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