From Worlds to BMX National Championships, ‘it’s just another race’ for Charli Guy

Queensland young gun Charli Guy will be looking to cap off a huge 12 months on and off the bike at the BMX Racing National Championships in Shepparton next month.

The 2022 Junior Superclass and 15 Girls national champion from Ashmore BMX Club will be out to claim another age category title in Shepparton, with her sights also set on a podium in the Superclass category.

It would be icing on the cake in what has been a standout year for the rising 16-year-old.

Earlier this year, Guy was named as a Sam Willoughby Medal finalist at the Australian BMX Hall of Fame ceremony, but the highlight was earning a W-Plate at the UCI World Championships BMX Challenge in Glasgow.

Charli won a W4 plate at the UCI World Championships BMX Challenge.

In her first taste of competing on the world stage, Guy finished 4th in 16 Girls, and Guys says she took a lot away from the experience.

“It was my first ever worlds and it was so awesome. I loved it,” she said.

“I was so nervous, but I just treated it like any other race. I raced my own race and held my nerves. I had no expectations and just had fun.

“I learned how to deal with nerves - it was so much bigger than any other event I’ve competed in, and also learned how to dial in a new track with little to no practice.”

But it’s not only on the track where Guy excels.

While she has been riding BMX since age 3, Guy started competing in BMX Freestyle last year and won the 2023 AusCycling BMX Freestyle amateur national championship.

Having also been named joint winner of the 2023 Cassap Australian BMX Freestyle Scholarship, Guy will now receive financial assistance to further her BMX freestyle training over the next 12 months.

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“I got into freestyle last year. I tried out for YouFor2032 [a talent identification program to find the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic champions] and was chosen for the 12-month program. I loved the jumping part of it. I’m hoping to go to the national titles in Melbourne next year,” she said.

“Both [racing and freestyle] complement each other in different ways, and both my coaches like me doing both, as each improves different parts of my riding.

“I just love going fast and jumps.”

Looking ahead to 2024, Guy’s goals include racing in the UCI BMX World Cup rounds in Brisbane and gaining junior elite selection for the 2024 UCI BMX World Championships in the USA.

For now, though her focus is on the AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships.

“I’m feeling pretty nervous, but I’m feeling strong. It’s just another race and I’ll just do my best,” she said.

2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships

Location: Shepparton, Victoria
Dates: 30 October - 5 November 2023
More information: 2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships

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The 2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships are proudly supported by the Greater Shepparton City Council.