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Westside BMX to light up as the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships comes to Perth

Oct 7, 2024

An incredible season of Australian BMX Racing reaches a fitting finale this week, with the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships taking place in Perth, Western Australia.

In a year highlighted by Olympic gold medals, World Championship rainbow jerseys, and a complete sweep of the UCI World Cup, Aussie riders will look to finish the year on a high as they battle it out at Westside BMX for the right to wear the green-and-gold national champions jersey in 2025.

Fast Facts

  • Total number of clubs: 109
  • National Championship categories: 76 plus 7 Sprockets & Mini-Wheelers
  • Largest Category: 14 Boys (49 riders)
  • Most club riders: Wanneroo BMX Raceway Club, WA (78 riders)
  • Most veteran rider: Daryl Rapley, Westside BMX Club (76 years, 4 months)
  • Youngest rider: Freddie Milne, Macarthur BMX Club (2 years, 3 months)
  • Previous National Championships in WA: 2018 (Bunbury), 2009 (Perth), 1999 (Perth), 1991 (Fremantle), 1984 (Byford)

Elites Preview

After breaking his pelvis at the UCI World Cup in February, Bodi Turner (Eastfield BMX) returns to defend back-to-back Elite Men titles at Westside. However, the racing is always competitive in the category, with Max Cairns (Park Orchards BMX), Matt Krasevskis (Pine Rivers BMX), Hayden Fletcher (Mansfield Mt Buller CC), and Kyle Hill (Ashmore BMX) some of names in contention.

With Joel Marsh (Happy Valley BMX) and Jesse Asmus (Nerang BMX) moving up to Elite Men, the door is open for Kane Gibbons (Pine Rivers BMX) and Rory Southwell (Macarthur BMX) to stake their claim for the U23 national title. In the Junior Men category, the clear standout is UCI World Champion and defending national champion Josh Jolly (Ballarat-Sebastopol CC). The 18-year-old can finish his incredible year on a high with another win in Perth.

With Olympic gold medallist Saya Sakakibara not competing at Westside, Sienna Pal (Terrigal BMX) is the likely favourite to win the Elite Women category. The 19-year-old made the jump from Juniors to Elites in 2024 and has quickly blossomed, finishing on the podium at a UCI World Cup round in Tulsa earlier this year.

Rising stars Bella May (Casey BMX) and Teya Rufus (Maryborough BMX) look equally unassailable in the U23 Women and Junior Women respectively. A title would be especially fitting for Rufus, rounding out what has been an incredible year for the 18-year-old after she claimed both the Junior World Championship and Under 23 Women’s World Cup this year.

BMX Racing National Series Westside BMX

Superclass Preview

With no Sakakibara or May entered in the Superclass Women, the category will likely be decided between Sienna Pal and Teya Rufus on Saturday. Newly crowned WA state champion Alyssa Howat (Westside BMX) will be desperate to perform well on her home track, while Imogen Healy (Tea Tree Gully BMX) has also done well previously at this venue, with two National Series wins in 2023.

Stephanie Alexander (Knox BMX) and Isla Basa (Macarthur BMX) highlight a field of 25 riders in Junior Superclass Women, and attention always turns to the track when they’re on the gate together. Basa emerged victorious at the national titles in 2023, while Alexander won both National Series rounds when they last went head-to-head in this category in April.

Max Cairns was denied back-to-back Superclass crowns in 2023 when Jack Davis emerged victorious in the final, but with Davis not competing in Perth, Cairns can return to the top step in 2024. The Victorian won’t have it all his own way however, with no less than 42 riders in a field that includes Bodi Turner, 2023 third-place getter Matt Tidswell (The Cove BMX), and Joel Marsh (Happy Valley BMX) to name a few.

In Junior Superclass Men, the next chapter of the Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX) and Declan McGhee (Mandurah BMX) rivalry could be written in Perth. The Victorian took the honours last year, but McGhee will have the home-state advantage to boost his confidence in 2024. 

National Series Preview

Bella May has already wrapped up the National Series title for 2024, so attention turns to the placegetters in Superclass Women. With the top four results from six rounds counting toward final scores, several riders can jump up the overall standings with a strong performance in the sixth and final round. Imogen Healy, Mia Webster (Park Orchards BMX), Kameli Jones (Caboolture BMX), Chloe Duncalfe (Ipswich and West Moreton BMX), Lauren Winter (Nhulunbuy BMX), and Ivy Westbrook (Wanneroo BMX) all stand a chance of finding themselves on the overall podium.

Isla Basa currently leads the Junior Superclass category, but archrival Stephanie Alexander can steal the overall winner’s crown with victory in Perth. Third place on the overall podium could come down to a race between Georgie Venables (Maitland-Tenambit BMX), Amelia Stichbury (Tuggeranong BMX), or Jules Vrapčenjak (Frankston BMX).

Andy Hughes (Macarthur BMX) is in the box seat to take the overall title in the Superclass Men, holding a 32-point lead over nearest rival Max Cairns. Third placed AJ Donald (Hawksbury BMX) sits a further 48 points back, with Kyle Hill and Rory Southwell (Macarthur BMX) right on his heels, both within 10 points of Donald.

Cameron Gatt and Declan McGhee have the top two positions locked up in Junior Superclass Men, with third place likely to come down to a battle between Kasy Saliba (Hawkesbury BMX), TJ Rikihana-Gray (Mandurah BMX), and Tyler Randall (Centenary Plains BMX).

Click here to see the National Series standings.

BMX Racing Westside BMX

What’s happening around Westside

Participants can look forward to an entirely different spectator experience at the 2024 Nationals compared to previous years. Trackside tent sites have been replaced by open grandstands and marquees, allowing free viewing access and crowd connection around the track. 

The schedule has also been amended to improve racing and spectator experience. The National Series has its own place in the fixture on Tuesday, while a practice day on Wednesday gives riders a break before National Championships begins on Thursday. A later start sets the scene for twilight racing on Friday, before the traditional conclusion of Superclass racing on Saturday.

This is also the first National Championship brought to you by GWM, meaning fans can look forward to taking advantage of the GWM Chill Out Zone and other activations, while 2024 Paris gold medallist Saya Sakakibara will also be conducting coaching clinics and available to meet with fans on select days throughout the week.

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti

Western Australia continues to prove itself as a world-class host of national and international sporting events, with the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships yet another feather in our cap as we become the fastest-growing event destination in the South East Asia region.

This is the first time the BMX Racing National Championships are taking place in WA since 2018, when more than 2,400 competitors and supporters took part in a successful week of cycling.

Mass participation events like these are always great for our state, and these championships are expected to fuel a positive flow-on effect for local tourism and hospitality businesses with a boost to visitor numbers.

City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin

The City of Stirling is proud to host the 2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships at the Westside BMX Club in Balcatta.

This prestigious event will bring elite athletes from across the nation to our world-class track and highlight our city’s strong commitment to fostering high-level sport. It also provides an opportunity for our community to watch and support athletes at the top of their game.

Marne Fechner, AusCycling CEO

Excitement always builds ahead of the GWM BMX Racing National Championships, and this year is no exception. With an entry list featuring World Champions, World Cup winners, and current and former national champions, the on-track action will be as hot as ever in 2024.

AusCycling has also worked closely with Westside BMX, the City of Stirling, and Tourism WA to deliver an event unlike any other. From a focus on spectator experience at the venue to the easy-reach of iconic tourist attractions across Perth and WA, I have no doubt that participants can look forward to a memorable week at this year’s premier BMX Racing event.

I encourage anyone with an interest in sport to come along to Westside BMX in Balcatta next week for the national championships. It’s an incredible opportunity to witness one of the most exciting sports in Australia, and to see the next wave of Australian and future world champions crowned.

2024 GWM BMX Racing National Championships

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.

Feature image: Mel Cook Photography 

Written by
AusCycling
Disciplines
BMX Racing