Two ‘W1’ plates the highlight for Australia on Day 3 of UCI BMX World Challenge

Harvey Brooks (Knox BMX) and Maya Ellis (Frankston BMX) are Australia’s newest UCI BMX Challenge champions, taking out the final in their respective categories on Day 3 of the UCI BMX Racing World Challenge.

The skies opened up over the Rock Hill, USA, venue again on Tuesday, with heavy showers creating slippery conditions on-track.

While Ellis took top spot in the Girls 13 final, the conditions may have cost Australia another top three finish in the race, as Amelie Reid (Mandurah BMX) comfortably led early on, only for her bike to wash out underneath her on the second corner.

The crash opened the door for Ellis, who took her chance and lead the field to the finish line, with Reid recovering to finish 7th.

Maya Ellis, Girls 13.

Amelie Reid, Girls 13

In the Boys 14 final, Harvey Brooks muscled his way to the front in the first straight and rode a flawless race from there, holding off his nearest rivals to win by more than a second.

It completed a perfect day for the Knox rider who didn’t drop a lap throughout his motos, and revealed to AusCycling that his goals were far more modest before the day began.

“My goal was just to get top 16. From yesterday I was like, ‘oh yeah, let's try to get maybe top 16, maybe finals, let's see how I'm going’,” Brooks said.

“It was really hard conditions today with it pouring down, and the corners were really slippery."

Brooks also thanked his parents and coach Adam Carey, and said the pressure of the final was immense.

“Very nervous when you're on the gate. My legs were shaking, and then you go around the track, just hope for the best and see how it goes.”

It was Brooks’ second 'W' plate for the week after finishing fourth in the Cruiser Boys 13-14 on Day 1, while Jayden Bradbrook (Cross Keys BMX) also earned his second ‘W’ plate for the week with third place in Boys 12.

Australian riders have earned 22 ‘W’ plates so far at Rock Hill, and are edging closer to surpassing the 2023 total of 27 ‘W’ plates as the competition enters the final day.

Harvey Brooks, Boys 14

BMX World Challenge Day 3 Finals - Results

Boys 11

Nathaniel Wenske (Cross Keys BMX) – 3rd

Boys 12

Jayden Bradbrook (Cross Keys BMX) – 3rd

Boys 14

Harvey Brooks (Knox BMX) – 1st

Girls 11

Josie Bunt (Rockhampton BMX) – 7th

Girls 13

Maya Ellis (Frankston BMX) – 1st
Amelie Reid (Mandurah BMX) – 7th

Girls 15

Kyarnee Young (Pine Rivers BMX) – 8th

More than 3000 athletes from 41 nations will compete in the BMX Racing World Challenge at the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships this week.

Tomorrow’s racing continues with 15 Boys, 16 Girls & Boys, 17-24 Men & Women, 25-29 Men, 30-34 Men, 35 & Over Men, 25 & Over Women, Masters Women & Men.

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Nate Wenske, Boys 11.

Jayden Bradbrook, Boys 12.

Kyarnee Young, Girls 15.

Josie Bunt, Girls 11.

Main Image: UCI/Craig Dutton