Rufus puts competition to the sword, Fletcher conquers early nerves in Round 6 of the BMX Racing National Series

The world-class credentials of Teya Rufus have shone through in the final round of BMX Racing National Series, while Hayden Fletcher fought off early mental demons to win the Superclass men.

Conditions were ideal for the start of competitive racing for the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships in Perth, with slight winds the only concern for riders on an otherwise sunny day.

Round 6:

Superclass Women

Junior World Champion Teya Rufus (Maryborough BMX) has executed a perfect day of racing, going undefeated on the way to a convincing win in the final round of the National Series.

It was a dominant display from Rufus in the deciding race, posting the fastest hill time and fastest lap of the day, and winning by more than a second from Charli Guy (Ashmore BMX) and Isabella Schramm (Ashmore BMX).

Speaking to AusCycling after the race, Rufus said the aim of today’s racing was to prepare for the bigger races to come at the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships.

“I think today was just to get the track done and put some solid laps together before Friday and Saturday where I could be racing for a title. I think the main thing was not necessarily to worry about anyone else or anything, [but] just get some clean laps together with myself,” Rufus said.

“I'm heading to the Grands later this year, so I’ll be racing Pro there and that's probably the last big goal of the year for me. So, just going to tick Nationals off and get training for that.”

Bella May (Casey BMX) secured the overall National Series title with four wins earlier this year. Imogen Healy (Tea tree Gully) and Kameli Jones (Caboolture BMX) took second and third respectively in the overall standings.

In the Junior Superclass, Isla Basa (Macarthur BMX) has taken the 2024 title with a win in the final round of the season and denying Stephanie Alexander (Knox BMX) the crown in the process.

Both riders were undefeated in the motos, and neck-and neck on the first straight in the final, but the Macarthur rider edged out Alexander to win by half a second.

Superclass Men

A second place in the opening moto of the day was the only blemish for Hayden Fletcher (Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club) on the way to winning the final National Series round for 2024.

Starting from gate 1, Fletcher posted the equal-fastest hill time of the day to take the ascendency in the final. Despite the best efforts of Max Cairns (Park Orchards BMX) to close the gap, Fletcher stayed locked in to win by a bike length from Cairns and Kyle Hill (Ashmore BMX).

After the race, Fletcher revealed how he had to overcame some concerns about the track to conquer the final.

“I really struggled I think with the track all throughout the practice sessions and even this morning, and I was ready to pull the plug on today's racing because I felt just that scared. But I managed to put emotions aside and just try to get the job done,” Fletcher said.

“I'm a lot more comfortable on the track now. So, we'll just see how the rest of the week goes and see if I can just keep flowing.”

Despite not competing today, Andrew Hughes (Macarthur BMX) has held on for the overall series win, just 8 points clear of Cairns, with Hill in third.

West Australian fans had plenty to cheer about in the Junior Superclass category, with TJ Rikihana-Gray (Mandurah BMX) going undefeated throughout the day. Rikihana-Gray didn’t have it all his own way in the final however, with Oliver Hogan (Byford BMX) just over one-tenth of a second behind at the finish line, while Charlie Daff (The Cove BMX) picked up third.

Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX) and Declan McGhee (Mandurah BMX) secured the top two places respectively in the overall standings prior to round 6, with Hogan’s podium today enough to finish third.

National Series Round 6 Results

National Series Round 6 Replay

Final National Series standings

Details of the 2025 AusCycling BMX Racing National Series are now available, with Shepparton BMX, Sam Willoughby BMX Facility, Lake Macquarie BMX, and Macarthur BMX hosting National Series rounds next year.

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

Follow @AusCycling

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

Rufus puts competition to the sword, Fletcher overcomes early nerves in Round 6 of the BMX Racing National Series