Australia had three World Champions crowned overnight in an exciting second day of racing. No less than seventy-seven Australians competed on an action packed day two of the 2014 UCI BMX World Championships in Rotterdam. The riders were part of the Challenger Class that involved ages five through to sixteen years, with the Australians collecting three world firsts and a number of podiums finishes against the best riders in the world. Young Bailey Mills from the Bayside BMX Club set a wonderful standard for the rest of the Australians to follow when he became world champion in the 5-6 years boys. Kyne Baird of Terrigal BMX
Club finished fantastically to grab third while Ewan Oliver from Ashmore BMX Club came in eighth in what was a highly competitive final.
Far North Queensland rider Portia Eden who rides for the Cairns BMX Club rode the race of her young life to finish in second in the 7 years girls, while Will Oliver of the Bendigo BMX Club raced a superb final to dominate the rest of the field and grab his maiden world championship crown in the 8 years boys.
Reigning world champion Thomas Tucker of Pine Rivers BMX Club defended his title in emphatic style in the 9 years boys, but not before been pushed all the way by fellow Australian Callum Howarth from Frankston BMX Club, who rounded out a dominant Australian display coming in second.
Defending champion Jesse Asmus from Nerang BMX Club did extremely well to grab third in the 11 years boys, the final was brimming with talent, and hosted a number of riders earmarked for great things in the future.
Townsville BMX Club had a night to remember in the 14 years girls with defending champion Shelby Green finishing on the podium in third and Celeste Barr finishing closely behind in fifth to put the North Queensland club on the map.
The last event of the night saw three Australians make the final of the 16 years boys and they didn’t disappoint, with Andrew Hughes who rides for LMX Bicycle Supercross in Western Sydney, fighting his way to a podium finish in second. Jye Hombsch of Redlands BMX Club and Joshua Mclean from Knox BMX Club rounded out a memorable day or racing for Australia, finishing fourth and sixth respectively.
The action continues on day three of the championships with the Cruiser Divisions, as excitement builds towards the elite competition starting on Saturday.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.