BMXers invited to measure up at new National Training Sessions

AusCycling are offering elite and under-23 BMX riders the chance to measure themselves against the world’s best at four National Training Sessions next year.

At the training sessions, riders will practice gate starts on the 8-metre hill and have their times compared against UCI World Cup benchmarks.

Under-19 riders who intend to race in UCI World Cups next year are also welcome to attend.

Training sessions will be held at Sleeman BMX SuperCross Track in Brisbane on the following dates:

• January 21, 10am – 12pm
• February 18, 10am – 12pm
• March 18, 10am – 12pm
• April 8, 10am – 12pm

Each session will involve 45 minutes of on-track practice and include gate start access, followed by the main sessions of 1x 12: Gate start to Turn 1 efforts, with 8 minutes' rest between efforts.

Riders will be aiming to achieve a best-of-three average recorded hill time equal to or below UCI World Cup standards, as follows:

TrackElite MenElite WomenU23 MenU23 WomenSleeman2.3522.5032.3752.553

National BMX Race Coach Sam Willoughby said the sessions have been designed to prepare domestic athletes for international competition.

"The BMX Racing National Training Sessions are aimed at giving Australian riders the opportunity to train on the 8-metre start hill in a competitive environment on a consistent basis in the lead up to the international season,” Willoughby said.

“This will give us the ability to compare their progress against podium-level standards and assist them in adjusting and monitoring their own daily training routine to try and meet this benchmark."

While these initial sessions are limited to Brisbane, AusCycling intends to expand the program nationwide.

“It’s a great opportunity for our up-and-coming BMX riders to challenge themselves on the SuperCross ramp,” said Scott Gardner, Australian Cycling Team Head Coach of Acceleration & Action.

“We intend to make more opportunities available at other tracks around the country as soon it becomes practical.”

Additional information

• All riders will need their own transponder's linked to their name to be compatible with the Sqorz timing system;
• Each rider attending a National Training Session will be required to pay $10 cash to the operating coach (Craig Graham) per session for track hire;
• All riders must arrive before 9.30am to sign up and pay their $10 for a 10am start;
• There will be no parents, personal coaches or other personal outside of Craig Graham, Luke Madill, and the gate starter up on the 8m start hill;
• Each rider will be responsible for their own travel and related expenses;
• Men and women will be separated into their respective gates. Under-23 and elite riders may also be separated depending on the number of participants;
• Pre-registration is not required.

Any questions or enquiries should be directed to [email protected].

Photos: Get Snapt