Ten highlights from the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships in Perth

A special week of BMX Racing has come to an end at Westside BMX Club in Perth, highlighted by incredible moments both on and off the track during the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships

Here are 10 things, in no particular order, we loved the most about Australia’s premier BMX Racing event from the western capital.

Saya, Saya, Saya

We are seriously blessed to have such a wonderful ambassador in our sport. Despite not competing this year, the Olympic gold medallist has arguably done more to promote BMX Racing by what she did away from the track over the last two weeks.

From appearing on television, on radio and in print pre-event, to a surprise appearance at the venue on Thursday, and the rider signing session, VIP function, and trackside Q&A on Friday, Sakakibara was generous with her time.

Inspiration can be seen in the faces of the young riders when they talk to her, and she is equally at ease talking up the sport with mainstream media. Other sports would bend over backwards to have someone so special representing them.

Rider of the week: Teya Rufus, with special mention to Josh Jolly

The only reason we’re giving this to Teya Rufus (Maryborough BMX) is because the 18-year-old competed on every major day of the week and did not drop a single moto on any of her races. She won the National Series round, the Junior Women and Superclass titles. Josh Jolly (Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club) didn’t compete in the National Series and also didn’t quite go undefeated on the Saturday.

Rufus however rarely looked challenged, often taking wins by four or more lengths, but she never seemed to take it for granted, genuinely celebrating wins while remaining humble and gracious in victory.

The Queenslander has remarkable potential and is now beginning to show a maturity and polish that belies her teenage years. Hopefully she continues her ascent at her own pace, and we continue to see her ride at Nationals for many years to come.

Oli Moran and Bella May are sneaky good

Bella May (Casey BMX) has been criminally overlooked in terms of her accomplishments this year. The 18-year-old finished second to Rufus in the UCI Under 23 World Cup standings this year, and she dominated the National Series to the extent that she didn’t even need to compete in Perth to claim the overall crown.

May focused solely on the Under 23 title in Perth, forgoing Superclass riding, and it paid off, as she not only won the category but also defeated the Elite winner Sienna Pal in the merged final.

Oli Moran (Manning Valley BMX) meanwhile also deserves the spotlight.

The 2024 UCI Under 23 World Cup winner stepped up to win the Australian Elite crown in Perth against a stacked field, and could have easily taken the double on Saturday night, finishing 0.15 seconds behind Jolly in the Superclass decider.

After competing in Europe throughout 2023, Moran may have been less visible than many other riders over the last year or so, but he is emerging as a force to be reckoned with.

Jye Furner’s breakthrough win

Few may appreciate what winning the Under 23 final on Friday night meant to Jye Furner (Macarthur BMX). After breaking a rib at the World Cup round in Santiago del Estero last year, the 21-year-old endured a string of subsequent injuries before stepping away from the sport to recover.

The son of former Macarthur president and Pirates legend Fred Furner, Jye has been riding Nationals for more than a decade, and while making many finals previously, had never claimed a 1A plate. Until now.

A world of opportunity now opens for the New South Welshman, with national team selection for the UCI World Cup series a real possibility.

The Local Heroes

It warms the heart to see local riders stepping up in front of their home fans. Alyssa Howat (Westside BMX) deserves special mention in this respect.

The Westside rider not only won a National Championship, but she also became the face of the event for WA riders somewhat, participating in numerous promotional videos and the official media launch leading up to the event. The 16-year-old then delivered when it counted, winning the Under 16 national series round and overall title on Wednesday, before backing it up with the Under 16 national title on Friday night.

No less than five Westside BMX riders won their respective Cruiser categories, while another two – Jaxson Hill and Zak Marchant – also won their 20” titles. Special shoutout to 76-year-old Westside BMX rider Daryl Rapley who took bronze in the Cruiser 60+ category.

Up and Comers

One of the great things about the BMX Nationals is hearing familiar names continuing to prove themselves against the best of the best, year after year.

WA locals Amelie Reid (Mandurah BMX) and Zane Ratajczak (Westside BMX) always seem to be leading motos during the week, as does Luke Patroni (Lake Macquarie BMX) and Dusty Schroder (Toowoomba BMX).

The sheer talent and courage on display by these riders is frighteningly exciting, and it’s also easy to forget that some of them are just a year or two away from graduating to Junior Superclass.

These are the riders that may carry Australian hopes to Brisbane 2032 and beyond. Hopefully, they continue to find love and support in BMX Racing, and persevere when encountering setbacks, as undoubtedly many of them will.

The Rivalries

There is something extra special about seeing the same two or three riders come up against each other time and time again in a National Championship final. Junior Superclass currently is especially intriguing.

Ilsa Basa (Macarthur BMX) and Stephanie Alexander (Knox BMX) is an unmissable event, with Holly-Ann Jackson (Ipswich and West Moreton BMX) now putting her name into that mix as well.

Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX) and Declan McGhee (Mandurah BMX) have an equally enthralling rivalry on the men’s side, with Harvey Brooks (Knox BMX) and TJ Rikihana-Gray (Mandurah BMX) equally capable on their day.

The matchups continue down the age groups: Luke Patroni, Jayden Bradbrook (Cross Keys BMX), and Hudson Daley (Rockhampton BMX) consistently occupy the podium in 12 Boys. Maya Ellis (Frankston BMX) is right there with Amelie Reid in the 13 Girls. Lauren Winter (Nhulunbuy BMX) and Ivy Westbrook (Wanneroo BMX) battle it out in the 17-24 women.

We hope all riders continue to improve, but there is always a touch more interest for the neutral when familiar foes line up on the gate.

The New Schedule: Did it work?

Short answer; mostly yes. While shifting the National Series to earlier in the week extends the competitive racing over a longer period, it also meant riders had a full day of rest before the championship racing began on Thursday.

The extra practice day gives riders the chance to tune up before the national titles, or families can get a well-earned break away from racing.

The break on Wednesday gave the final round of the National Series its own moment, creating more interest and opportunity for the deciding round of the series, and shifting the Elite and Superclass to back-to-back days meant the week built towards an exciting crescendo.

Late changes to the schedule were unfortunately required due to the sunset, but this segues nicely into the next point…

Twilight racing rocks!

The 90-minute break for sunset meant that racing continued into the evening on Friday and Saturday nights.

While the break was driven by rider safety, it probably also had the unintended consequence that when racing returned, the atmosphere was incredible. Fully refreshed, crowds flocked back to watch the racing in full voice, filling the grandstands and every space inch of grass around the track.

A DJ kept the vibe pumping, and combined with the spectacle of top-quality racing on track, the evening racing was simply unmissable. A marker has been laid down as to what twilight sessions might look like again in the future.

“It’s the vibe of the thing, your honour.”

It was a case of back to the future (sort of) at the GWM BMX Racing National Championships, as individual trackside tent sites were gone in favour of an open marque and grandstands.

As hoped, this led to improved viewing access around the track, and with punters less worried about guarding their patch of grass, more time could be spent socialising and moving about the venue. Fully presented in this way, the Westside BMX track looked clean and immaculately dressed.

The host club also deserves special recognition in this respect, supporting the smooth operation of the event over the week (and special mention to the chips and gravy at the canteen, a personal favourite). Coaches were also treated to the added bonus of a coaching clinic hosted by Luke Madill, and there was the happy story of the Walsh family from Hedland BMX club winning the Speedco bike giveaway. The weather definitely helped out as well, with fine days and mild winds.

Many participants also took time away to enjoy nearby attractions, with Scarborough Beach and Fremantle just some of the highlights on offer.

The 2025 GWM BMX Racing National Championship will be held at Macarthur BMX in Sydney, from October 5-12, and is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships

Dates: October 7-13

Location: Westside BMX Club, Balcatta

More information: 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships

Live Timing: Our Sqorz

Live Streaming: SBS On Demand

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The 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships are proudly supported by GWM Australia & New Zealand, the City of Stirling, and the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA.

Images: Get Snapt