Walker injured in run-up to BMX World Championships

Olympic silver medallist Sarah Walker will be in a race against time for next month’s UCI BMX World Championship in Auckland.

Walker suffered a minor fracture at the head of the radius in her right arm after a crash in racing in the latest round of the USA BMX Nationals in Rockford, Illinois where the BikeNZ team is preparing for the world championships, which take place at Vector Arena on 24-28 July.

A rider came down in front of Walker who spilled over the top in what looked a relatively innocuous incident. She was taken to hospital where scans showed a small fracture to the head of the radius near the elbow.

Walker went on to finish fourth overall on the day, even with the fall and was back at the track today helping out her teammates.

“The doctor said it is not too serious and that Sarah should be okay to race in a month,” said BikeNZ BMX coach Ryan Hollows.

“The scans have now gone back to our medical team in New Zealand and we will await their advice.

“They will decide if Sarah should return to New Zealand or if she is better off here in the USA and carry out some training as her injury allows.”

This follows her crash last year which resulted in a dislocated shoulder, recovering in time for her brilliant silver medal at London. Walker opted for surgery on the shoulder over the summer, getting back into racing a month ago.

“It’s a setback for sure because Sarah was starting to really find some form. She recovered ahead of medical expectations before the Olympics and after the surgery, so we are hoping things work out in time for Auckland.”

Meanwhile teammate Kurt Pickard from Tauranga has found excellent form on the second day of action at Rockford, finishing third overall in the men’s pro division.

He finished behind current world champion Sam Willoughby (AUS) and last year’s time trial world champion Connor Fields (USA) in a high class field of riders who will all be contenders in Auckland next month.

“Kurt has been working hard as he came back from a slight injury. He has been getting better and better and this form is coming at the ideal time,” Hollows said.

It is his first podium of this campaign with one more round of racing next week before they return to New Zealand. They will spend a week back in New Zealand before heading to Brisbane for their final preparation camp.

Gisborne’s Nic Fox picked up a podium on the first day and was fourth in today’s racing in the A Pro final, while Trent Woodcock was sixth on the first day but illness forced him out of the second day.