→←News→Bella May makes it two titles in a week, while Jack Davis upsets the field on the final day of BMXNats23
Bella May makes it two titles in a week, while Jack Davis upsets the field on the final day of BMXNats23
Nov 4, 2023
Jack Davis and Bella May have finished the 2023 BMX Racing season on a high, claiming the Superclass national championships on the final day of BMXNats23.
Spectators and riders were again treated to a beautiful day in Shepparton, ensuring the quality of racing on Saturday befitted a National Championship.
Superclass Men
A familiar pattern emerged through the preliminary rounds of the Superclass Men, with Bodi Turner (Eastfield BMX) and Max Cairns (Park Orchards BMX) going undefeated through their motos and quarter finals.
However, the semi-finals definitely did not follow the script. Matt Kraveskis (Pine Rivers BMX) took the early lead in the first semi and wouldn’t be denied a win, while in the second semi Jack Davis (Tamworth BMX) rounded Cairns and Turner on the outside of the first corner and led them to the line.
Davis nailed the start in the final and took the lead through the first turn. Cairns was the nearest pursuer as they emerged from the second corner, but Davis didn’t make any mistakes and held on for the win by almost half a second from Cairns with Matt Tidswell (The Cove BMX) in third.
Speaking to AusCycling after the win, Davis said he was stoked with the lap he put together for the final, and that being based in the USA this year had improved his riding.
“I think living in Florida has helped my riding immensely. There’s good competition over there and every day you turn up to training it's like a USA Pro round or a World Cup,” Davis explained.
“And so, when I turn up on days like this and the boys are going fast, it’s just like a normal training day, so I think that's helped a lot.”
The 21-year-old added that he was already looking forward to a big 2024 of racing, with World Cups in New Zealand, Australia, and the US, as well as the USA Pro circuit and World Championships in Rock Hill on his radar
He also outlined how coach Sam Willoughby had helped develop his riding over the last 12 months.
“I think the big thing that he's taught me is just to tick the last laps off as they go, tick the races off as they go, don't dwell on the past or a previous race or anything like that, and just look at what's in front of you.
“Obviously, a lot of technical work on the gate start, but I think just mentally as well, because when you get to the top end like this, it's all mental.”
Junior Superclass Men
Nate Argent (Centenary Plains BMX) carried the best form into the semi-finals of the Junior Superclass Men, winning every one of his first four motos. AJ Donald was the other standout through to the finals, with a second place in moto number one the only blemish in his first four races.
However, Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX) took the ascendency in the final with a hot gate, and his cause was further helped when Donald crashed on the first turn. Declan McGhee (Mandurah BMX) tried desperately to close the gap, but Gatt did enough to hold on, with Preston Murray (The Cove BMX) in third.
Superclass Women
Unsurprisingly, Sienna Pal (Terrigal BMX), Teya Rufus (Maryborough BMX), and Bella May (Frankston BMX) were the riders to watch through the early stages of the Superclass Women, with each athlete notching at least one win in the moto rounds before the final.
Pal had the better start in the decider, leading her rivals through the first two corners. However, an aggressive line by May on the third straight gave her momentum and the lead, and she nailed the final turn to hold on for the win by two lengths, with Rufus in third.
It was May’s second big win of the week after claiming the National Series crown on Wednesday, and she said it was incredible to be back in the green-and-gold jersey.
“We got on the gate, and I just was thinking to myself, ‘You can do this, you’ve got it.’ And then we were all sitting on the gate and this big headwind came, and we were like, ‘Oh yep, alright. This is good’,” she joked.
“Then we all got over the first jump: Tag! Tag! But yeah, I just knew that I could hunt it down and kept fingers crossed that I could do it, so just so happy.”
At this stage, May – who turned 18 on Wednesday – said she plans to move into the Under 23 category next year and compete internationally as much as possible,
She also credited her support team for helping her achieve the title.
“Definitely my coach [Nathan Glab]. Yeah, I just can't thank him enough. Everyone that's been supporting me with going to the World Cups and everyone that's helped me raise enough money to get where I am.
“Mum and dad, my brother, my training partner, the [Victorian Institute of Sport]. I feel that I’m definitely on the right path and that everything’s going the right way.”
Junior Superclass Women
The Junior Superclass Women was incredibly tight, with nine different riders recording a win across the first three motos. Stephanie Alexander (Knox BMX) earned a psychological edge in her semi-final, posting the fastest lap time of the day, with Jules Vrapčenjak (Frankston BMX) taking the other semi-final.
Riders went three-wide into the first turn in the final, but it was Ilsa Basa (Macarthur BMX) who emerged in front to lead down the second straight, with Alexander in hot pursuit. The pair could barely be separated over the final two straights, however Basa held on to win by just 0.007 seconds to Alexander, with Milan Bradshaw (Sydney BMX) in third.
Recognised stars Khalen Young (Southern Districts BMX) and Jaclyn Wilson (Bendigo BMX) took out the Vet Pro Men and Women categories respectively. Jardyn O’Neill (Centenary Plains BMX) was crowned Para 14+ Men champion.
The next national event on the national BMX Racing calendar is Round 1 of the 2024 National Series at Brisbane SX in February, with most state and territory events also beginning in early February next year.
2024 AusCycling BMX Racing Calendar available here.
2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships
- Location: Shepparton, Victoria
- Dates: 30 October - 5 November 2023
- More information:2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships
Follow @AusCycling
The 2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships are proudly supported by the Greater Shepparton City Council and Visit Victoria.
Images: Get Snapt
- Written by
- AusCycling
- Disciplines
- BMX Racing