Strombergs, from Latvia, is the sport’s biggest name, having won two BMX World elite titles as well as the Olympic gold medal both in Beijing, where the sport made its debut, and again in London last year. The 26 year old will be one of the clear favourites when the UCI BMX World Championships comes to New Zealand for the first time, to be staged at Vector Arena on 24-28 July.
He will be part of a five-strong team from Latvia, according to coach Ivo Lakucs, himself a two-time Olympian in track cycling at Sydney 2000 and also in BMX at Beijing where he was a quarterfinalist.
Strombergs has recently returned to racing following a lengthy break after the Olympics.
“Growing up I never thought I'd be