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Bella May secures National Series crown, Max Cairns and Matt Krasevskis split wins at Macarthur BMX double-header

Jul 8, 2024

Bella May has secured back-to-back Superclass Women National Series titles, taking an unassailable lead in the standings after rounds 4 and 5 in Macarthur, while Max Cairns and Matt Krasevskis shared the honours in Superclass Men.

Despite wet weather threatening to strike all weekend, the rain stayed away for most of the racing at the Sydney venue, with the otherwise cool conditions promoting good racing on track.

Round 4

Superclass Women

After taking two wins in Adelaide, Bella May (Casey BMX) could all but clinch her second straight Superclass Women National Series title with a strong showing at Macarthur, and the first part of that plan was executed to perfection on the opening day of racing.

May was the only undefeated rider through the motos and semis, also posting the fastest lap time and the fastest hill time for the day. May then lead the final from start to finish, although the 18-year-old didn’t have it entirely her own way.

Isabella Schramm (Ashmore BMX) fought away at May’s back wheel throughout the race, and there was less than half a second between the riders at the finish line, with May paying respect to Schramm after the race.

“It's so good to race Bella. I love racing with her. She's such a legend, but overall, a good lap. No one got hurt. It’s a successful day,” May said.

“Definitely when [the National Series rounds] come up, I jump on board overall for the series. But Aussies and World Cups and Worlds, they were my main focus for this year. But I always love racing at home in our country, it's always good.”

With series leader Stephanie Alexander (Knox BMX) not competing in Sydney, the door was open for second-placed rider and local favourite Isla Basa (Macarthur BMX) to take control in the Junior Superclass category, and she didn’t disappoint.

Basa went undefeated through the preliminary motos and won the final by almost a second from Georgie Venables (Maitland Tenambit BMX) and Erica Goodwin (Penrth BMX).

Superclass Men

A big field of 38 riders including newly-crowned junior world champion Josh Jolly (Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club) and National Series Round 3 winner Andy Hughes (Macarthur BMX) meant spectators were treated to five thrilling motos in each round of Superclass Men.

Despite the depth of competition, Max Cairns (Park Orchards BMX) and Matt Krasevskis (Pine Rivers BMX) were the riders to watch in the final, having both gone undefeated through their motos, quarters, and semi-finals.

Starting from gate one, Cairns muscled his way to the front on the opening straight and held Krasevskis and Hughes at bay the rest of the way, and after the race the 28-year-old said he was pleased to be able to execute his strategy in the final.

“The track is very hard to pass on. There's a speed limit around here. And as soon as I got to that first turn first, I got a big grin on my face, and it's like, ‘alright, backsides. Backsides around the whole track.’ And then I knew if I did that, it’s very hard if I ride the right race line of the track,” Cairns said.

“The national round here last year, my first moto was horrible. I jumped off the track, and that kind of set the tone for the day. So today the plan was just to start the day how I want to finish the day, and I got out good and just kept the ball rolling all day. It was nice.”

In Junior Superclass, Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX) and Kasy Saliba (Hawkesbury Hornets BMX) appeared to be the ones to watch throughout the day, with both riders undefeated through their semi-finals.

But it was Gatt that stormed to victory in the decider, taking a comfortable lead out of the first turn and holding on for the win ahead of Declan McGhee (Mandurah BMX) and Ben Schramm (Ashmore BMX).

Round 4 Results

Round 4 Replay


Round 5

Superclass Women

May and Schramm were again the clear standouts on Sunday. Both riders dominated their motos, setting up an exciting final that lived up to the expectations.

May looked in a comfortable position in the opening three straights, but Schramm dived to the inside on the final turn and for a moment looked poised to take the lead. However, May’s power proved to be the difference, kicking again over the final 50metres to hold on for a narrow win.

After the race, the Casey BMX rider said the support she receives from supporters at the track helped keep her focused and motivated on winning over the weekend.

“I think just like sitting there and like watching the little kids come up to me and them really motivating me and them pumping up my tyres, that keeps me going throughout the day. And just riding with the girls. I just love it. So much fun.”

“A big shout-out to the Harts that brought me my brother out here this weekend. They're just like another family. They’re so nice, and anyone that supports me and comes up and says, ‘good job,’ and all that, they're the ones to keep me going.”

Isla Basa again put together a confident and comfortable performance on her home track, dominating proceedings throughout Round 5 of the Junior Superclass Women. The 14-year-old won every moto and the final by a comfortable margin to secure two wins for the weekend.

Superclass Men

Max Cairns looked poised to go back-to-back at the venue he has called home over the last two years, going undefeated through the motos and starting the Round 5 final from gate one. However, Andy Hughes couldn’t be counted out on his home track, while Matt Krasevskis again looked threatening on Sunday.

Despite starting from gate two, Krasevskis managed to get his front wheel ahead at the first turn and pulled away from the field on the second straight to secure the win and repeat the national series victory he had at the same venue last year.

“I got the first run really smooth this time, and I managed to sort of shut Max off before the turn. But I've come in so low, right line, and I just held on after that,” Krasevskis told AusCycling.

“I knew they were going to be right there chasing, especially with Andy Hughes as well. He's really great around the track. So, I knew I had to hit all the lines and make sure I get them smooth. So yeah, happy.”

“Yeah, I really like the facility here. It's great. It’s just a lot of pedalling, which I like. I like just lining up and pedalling. The track's pretty simple. You just gotta go fast. So yeah, I think it's a great facility here.”

Cameron Gatt powered to back-to-back wins in the Junior Superclass. The 15-16 Cruiser Boys W1 plate holder lead the field out of the first corner in the final and stayed clear of a crash that claimed rivals Declan McGhee and Tyler Randall (Centenary Plains BMX) to win by almost a second-and-a-half.

Round 5 Results

Round 5 Replay

National Series standings

Rounds 6 of the 2024 AusCycling BMX Racing National Series will be held at Westside BMX Club in Perth on October 9 as part of the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championship.

Event details

Images: Mitch Ramm/Michram Industries

Written by
AusCycling
Disciplines
BMX Racing