Walker, Willers primed for BMX World Championships

New Zealand’s elite BMX riders have had a perfect preparation ahead the UCI World Championships in South Africa at the weekend, according to BikeNZ head coach Ken Cools.

The championships get underway tonight in Pietmaritzburg, 90kms from Durban, with the BMX Challenge event for age groupers. The elite championships are set for early Sunday morning (NZ time) ahead of the cruiser category world championships on Monday morning (NZ time).

Double world champion Sarah Walker and her Beijing Olympic teammate Marc Willers will spearhead the New Zealand challenge.

They get their first chance to practice on the track tomorrow but it has had the thumbs-up so far from the kiwi contingent. The track is designed similar to the new track near Pukekohe with separate straights of varying difficulty for the Challenge and Elite riders, but sharing the same bends.

“The track looks awesome. It is huge, probably the biggest track I have seen. The Challenge classes love it so far in their training,” Cools said. “Technically it is a bit soft but overall it looks great.”

The elite squad have had a build-up in Southern California, including sessions at the US Olympic training centre in Chula Vista, with the kiwis the only international country given access.

“We have had them do a lot more longer sprints in preparation for this bigger track here so I believe they are ready. They have prepared so well and never worked so hard.

“The camp is in great heart. It is definitely the best prepared and happiest group that I have been associated with in the 13 world championships that I have been to as a competitor or coach.

“We have an excellent support crew with team mechanic, physiotherapist and sports scientist and we have been rigid with our training, recovery and pre-race protocols.”

Walker, 22, will defend both her elite and cruiser class world titles in South Africa, with the competition a step up from her success last year in Adelaide.

Returning this year is two-time world champion Shanaze Reade (GBR) and Olympic silver medallist Laetitia le Courgille (FRA).

“Everyone is here in the women’s competition. It is definitely going to be tough for Sarah but she is in great shape and she has never worked as hard for this. Remember she is only 22 and the youngest of the current crop of top riders and is continuing to improve all the time.”

Willer, 25, is back to world class form following major shoulder surgery late last year. He faces key competition from world junior champion Sam Willoughby (AUS), who has dominated Supercross racing last year, and Olympic and 2008 world champion Maris Strombergs (LAT).

The only one major rider missing is current world champion Donny Robinson (USA).

“Marc has been training and racing with the likes of Donny regularly and has been beating him consistently. He has six podium finishes in seven races in the US Nationals and is primed and ready. We have been waiting for a couple of years for a fully healthy Marc Willers to show his true potential.”

Taranaki’s Victoria Hill and Cambridge rider Kurt James are also racing elite in their first time at this level.

Nic Fox (Gisborne), Trent Woodcock (Pukekohe) and Daniel Franks (Christchurch) step up for their first year in the junior elite class.

“The preparation has been perfect. Now all that is left is for them to have the confidence in themselves to step up and execute.”

There are 29 New Zealanders competing in the BMX Challenge races starting with the 13 years and under classes overnight tonight and 14 years and over early on Saturday morning NZ time.

They are led by world champions from last year in seven year old Rico Bearman (North Harbour) and Tahlia Hansen, 13, from Rangiora.