150 strong: Team Australia primed for UCI BMX Racing World Challenge

08 May 2024 | 01:24 PMBy: AusCycling

Australia will be out to replicate their stunning 2023 performance when racing gets underway for this year’s UCI BMX Racing World Challenge in Rock Hill, USA this week.

At last year’s event in Glasgow, Aussie riders amassed an incredible 27 ‘W’ plates over four days of racing – including three ‘W1’ plate winners – far exceeding the 15 ‘W’ plates from 2022.

Reflecting the depth of Australian riding stocks and domestic enthusiasm for the event, no less than 150 riders have made the journey to the USA to wear the green-and-gold in 2024.

2023 ‘W1’ plate winners Amelie Reid (Mandurah BMX), Jayden Bradbrook (Cross Keys BMX), and Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX) have all returned, while Declan McGhee (Mandurah BMX) will be out to avenge the crash on the final straight that cost him a ‘W1’ plate in 2023.

11 Girls National and Oceania champion Dusty Schroeder (Toowoomba BMX) will be looking to add to her growing resume of results, while National Series rivals Steph Alexander (Knox BMX) and Isla Basa (Macarthur BMX) team up in the 15 Girls.

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Australian hopes will also be high in Masters racing, the only category at the BMX World Challenge where the winner is awarded a UCI Rainbow jersey.

Nicole Thomson (Big Rivers BMX) made the Women’s Masters final last year, and will again race alongside 2022 AusCycling Masters BMX Rider of the Year Letitia Weatherhead (Bayside BMX).

On the Men’s side, the Australian contingent is headlined by 2012 Olympian and 2008 USABMX #1 Pro Rider Khalen Young (Southern Districts BMX), while two-time Elite national champion Corey Frieswyk (Suncoast Hinterland BMX) further adds to Aussie stocks.

Competing in his first world-level event for eight years, Frieswyk told AusCycling that he’s keen to contribute to Australia’s success at the event.

“I’m looking forward to lining up again on that gate and going out and performing the way I know how to. Ultimately my goal is to be in that final and race my best lap,” Frieswyk said.

After announcing his retirement from Elite racing at the national championships in Shepparton last year, Frieswyk refocused his goals and has enjoyed newfound success at Masters level.

“My kids are a massive motivation for me now … I’d love to look back one day with my kids and have them be proud of things I accomplished with my family by my side, knowing that one day it will be me being by their side supporting whatever goals and dreams they have,” he said.

“It was kind of AusCycling to acknowledge me retiring from Elite. It felt real when I announced it on the day, and in front of so many familiar faces. I feel it was a great send off. Looking back, I am happy with my choice to move classes. I was ready.”

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The 30-year-old in February won the 30+ Men 20” Masters category at the 2024 Oceania Continental Championship, and hopes to continue racing in the USA BMX Pro series in the Vet Pro category, but is undecided about competing at the National Championships in Perth later this year.

Looking back, the Queenslander also revealed some of the standout performances from his Elite career, adding that he still draws on those races for inspiration at the gate.

“My first national win with so many of my idols and friends will always stand out; the crowd that was surrounding the track was nothing short of amazing,” he said.

“The second race I will always remember was my win at the 2018 Oceania championships in Perth. The confidence I had for that race is something I always try to channel at any race I go to now.”