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newly primed track will see athletes from over 30 countries fly down the eight-metre start hill for their shot at glory.

Buchanan is no stranger to the indoor track having won the event last year, and relishes the atmosphere and energy the track creates, whilst also feeling particularly at home in the UK.

“Manchester is the only indoor UCI World Cup track on the calendar this year, it's a tech tight track and rock hard fast,” Buchanan said. “Racing indoors always excites me, it brings the fans closer to the action and the energy and atmosphere is wound right up high. I love to perform and Manchester feels like a second home with my dads family from the UK, my Nannie will be watching me race again and no doubt going to be my biggest and cutest fan there.”

Whilst treating her preparation the same, Buchanan acknowledged that there was added pressure knowing the Olympics are just around the corner. “Every UCI race this close to the Olympics has an element of pressure,” Buchanan said. “However for me whether it’s a BMXA National Series, National Championship, World Cup or World Championships, I treat my preparation and desire to win all the same. Being a reigning World Cup series leader for me adds no pressure. It's a new year, I have new goals, it’s a new competition and in the now I am focused, excited and ready.”

The elite men’s field reads like who’s who of world BMX as our very own Willoughby and Anthony Dean take on defending series champion Liam Phillips on his home track, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Maris Strombergs.

Dean finished the 2014 series as runner up behind Phillips, and having also finished second to Phillips in Manchester last year, will be hoping he can get the better of his rival this time around.

BMX Australia has played a significant role in helping provide six riders from its development academy with support to attend the event, ranging from organising flights and travel packages, to helping to secure invaluable practice time on the track with development academy coach Luke Madill.

Ultimately the aim of the initiative it to mirror the experience of the high performance unit, by providing riders from the development academy with the opportunity to experience elite international competition.

Other Aussie riders set to compete in the elite men’s division will be Bodi Turner, Corey Frieswyk, Josh Callan, Tristyn Kronk and Luke Hombsch.

While joining Buchanan in the elite women will be Lauren Reynolds, Melinda McLeod, Rachel Jones, Kirsten Dellar and Harriet Burbidge-Smith.

Flying the Aussie flag in the junior elite men will be Jye Hombsch and Jayce Cunning.

You can live stream the action via on our website or at bmxlive.tv

Qualification will begin on Sunday April 19 at 2am EST, the Time Trial Superfinal will begin at 5am EST, and main event racing gets underway on Sunday April 19 at 11.05pm EST.

Pics by BdJ