Preview: 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Championships
NATTen Aussies will battle it out in the elite classes at the 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in France for the coveted rainbow stripes this weekend.
The newly built track in Nantes will see hundreds of BMX riders compete for the title of world champion this week before the elite classes begin on Saturday.
The team was announced in late June, with the only change to the team in the elite women’s with Tokyo Olympian and Australian National Champion Saya Sakakibara withdrawing from the team due to a concussion sustained at the last UCI BMX Racing World Cup round.
Elite
World number five Lauren Reynolds of Bunbury BMX Club heads into her 14th BMX Worlds in fine form despite reducing her racing load in 2022.
"This year, I’ve taken a slightly relaxed approach after such a big last two years. I didn’t want to stress too much on hitting every race and making my day to day so heavily race focused,” Reynolds said.
"This year, I wanted to embrace my wedding preparations, pick and choose the races I'd like to attend and just enjoy the races with less pressure."
Reynolds made back-to-back finals at the June 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Cup rounds in Papendal and has her eyes firmly set on a number smaller than five in Nantes.
World number seven Izaac Kennedy, alongside USA BMX National Series leader Josh McLean and Ipswich's Matt Krasevskis, will represent Australia in the elite men.
Kennedy is in stellar form since the start of the year, making two World Cup podiums and sits second behind McLean in the USA BMX National Series.
U23 Men
The trio of Oli Moran of Manning Valley BMX Club, Jack Davis of Tamworth City BMX Club and Kyle Hill of Ashmore BMX Club will don the green and gold in the U23 men’s class.
Moran became the first Aussie to medal at a junior event since 2015 at the 2019 UCI BMX World Championships when he placed second in the junior elite men’s final.
The 20-year-old is eager to represent Australia again on the world stage.
“Obviously making the final and making Australia proud is a major goal for me,” Moran said.
“The Nantes track is fast and technical, you really have to be on your toes, especially for the last jump as it can easily catch you.”
Moran learned a lot from his last world championships in 2019 and has been focusing on his strength and consistency in the last year.
“I learned a lot from the older Australian riders in 2019,” Moran said.
“Since then, I’ve been working on getting stronger and really focusing on trying to move weight fast.
“As well focusing on being consistent and keeping myself in the zone as the new format is short and sharp so one mistake and your day could be done.”
Junior Men and Women
Three riders will represent Australia in the junior classes, including Bella May of Frankston BMX Club, Joel Marsh of Happy Valley BMX Club and Jordan Callum of Rockingham BMX Club.
Callum has been in a non-stop gate drop mood over the past 18 months, racing as many races as he can in America and winning a lot of them too.
“The first six months of this year have been hectic,” Callum said.
“I don’t think I’ve done this many races at the start of a racing season ever.”
Callum, since he flew out to the States mid-last year, has been a constant presence on the podium, most recently taking three wins on the same weekend in Akron, Ohio, without dropping a lap.
“I think the main difference for me this year from last is I’ve settled down and found a routine,” Callum said.
“With me only being 17, I still have schoolwork to do and things like that. I have a super close network of friends in Indiana who I ride and hangout with almost every day.
“Compared to last year where I had only just moved over and was still finding my feet over here.”
Callum agrees with Moran that the final straight with the technical roller will be a challenge but is excited compete at this level.
“I like the look of it and the layout,” Callum said.
“I’m not sold on the huge roller on the last straight however my mind may change once riding it.
“My goal for these World Championships isn’t any different from other races.
“I have done everything in my power to put myself in a situation for success, so I will try my best to achieve that.”
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Picture: Craig Dutton
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