Willers moves to top after double win in USA BMX

US-based BMX star Marc Willers has moved to the top of the American National rankings after a double winning weekend in Florida.

The Cambridge rider, based in southern California, won both rounds of the Gator Nationals in Florida, the latest rounds of the American Bicycle Association BMX Nationals which also doubled as the North American Intercontinental championships.

It moves Willers, riding for the Factory Speed team, well clear in the ABA points after six races from three-time world champion Kyle Bennett.

Willers was in unstoppable form, winning all his motos and both semifinals. He made great snaps out of the gate in both starts in the finals to lead into the first corner where he was able to control the races.

In his wake were supercross world champion Sam Willoughby, Bennett, leading French rider Sylvain Andre and several former ABA champions.

“It’s definitely up there with my best weekends ever, “Willers said. “I have finally got back into good form after my shoulder surgery. Last year most of the training was really about rehab. This year I have been able to concentrate on making the bike go fast.

“Confidence is the major thing. When I first turned up here I was hoping to do well. Now I can step on the gate and pretty much know I have a chance of winning.”

A key is for the BikeNZ rider has been to base himself in the BMX hotbed of Murrieta in southern California.

“The Olympic champion lives two minutes away. The 2008 American champion is around the corner and Sam Willoughby is moving here too. We all train at the same track. You can’t beat that.”

Willoughby returns home for the Oceania Intercontinental event at Puni near Pukekohe next month which will feature the best riders from Australia, New Zealand and the US national team.

“This weekend was the North American Intercontinental title. I would love to add the Oceania title to that going into April’s first Supercross in South Africa. I love the Puni track and I really want to race well at home.”

Not that Willers is not getting ahead of himself.

“I am not even thinking about the Olympics yet. That’s not on the radar. I am just focussing on the next race. There’s a lot of work to do and a lot of improvement that I need to make.”

Results, Gator Nationals Florida:

Pro Elite Saturday final: Marc Willers (NZL) 1, Sam Willoughby (Australia) 2, Corben Sarrah (USA) 3, Tony Nyhaug (Canada) 4, Joris Daudet (France) 5, Tyler Brown (USA) 6, Sylvain Andre (France) 7, Thomas Hamon (USA) 8.

Sunday final:  Willers 1, Andre 2, Corey Reid (USA) 3, Daudet 4, Nic Long (USA) 5, Jeffrey Upshaw (USA) 6, Willoughby 7, Josh Meyers (USA) 8.