Race: Aussie double in UCI BMX SX time trials. Pics by Ken Paul

Sam Willoughby (AUS) and Caroline Buchanan (AUS) were the fastest time trial riders on 14 September in Abbotsford at the final event of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Series of 2012. Canadian Olympian Tory Nyhaug raced his best time trial of the season coming in second only by 0.023 seconds behind the reigning World Champion Willoughby.

Dream come true

Today’s race saw some of the best riders in the world compete for the title of the fastest man and woman on one of the fastest tracks in the world for the first time ever in Canada. Cycling BC Chief Executive Officer Keith Ryan said today’s race was a dream come true.

“The four-year dream to have a BMX Supercross start hill and track that meets the UCI requirements to host a Supercross World Cup event in BC came true today. The legacy of hosting this BMX Supercross World Cup in Abbotsford will provide Canadian athletes the opportunity to compete on home soil against the best riders around the world. A track that is among the top Supercross tracks in the world.”

The Zamboni
To top off the day, riders who made it to the Superfinal had the pleasure of sitting in the hot seat: a Zamboni, which was generously donated by the Abbotsford Heat for today’s event. Together with the Zamboni, RCMP Staff Sergeant Bill Laidlaw was on hand to escort riders into the hot seat and onto the podium by while the mayor of Abbotsford Bruce Banman presented the awards to the fastest man Sam Willoughby and fastest woman, Caroline Buchanan of Australia.

RESULTS – TIME TRIALS
MEN: 1. WILLOUGHBY, Sam (AUS) 30.373 2. NYHAUG, Tory (CAN) 30.396 3. VAN GENDT, Twan (NED) 30.502 4. FIELDS, Connor (USA) 30.606

WOMEN: 1. BUCHANAN, Caroline (AUS) 33.667 2. STANCIL, Felicia (USA) 34.073 3. SMULDERS, Laura (NED) 34.610 4. VAN BENTHEM, Merle (NED) 34.948