New Zealand BMX riders begin Supercross World Cup campaign

New Zealand BMX stars get their first taste of the track in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa today for the opening round of the UCI Supercross World Cup.

Led by the in-form Marc Willers and Sarah Walker, they were one of the first teams to arrive for the two day competition on the track used for last year’s world championships.

Over 100 men and 38 women from 20 countries will contest the elite open competition which also offers important qualifying points for next year’s London Olympics.

Willers, with wins in the North American and Oceania Continental titles already this summer, is one of the pre-event favourites, along with Australia’s Sam Willoughby (AUS) who was second overall in last year’s Supercross World Cup series.

There are full line-ups from USA with Nic Long and David Herman, Netherlands with world number four Raymon van der Biezen and France, led by Thomas Hamon and Joris Daudet although injury has ruled out world champion Maris Strombergs (LAT) and local hope Sifiso Nhlapo, runner-up at last year’s world championships.

The battle for supremacy amongst the elite women is wide open with 2009 world champion up against  American Alice Post, Colombia’s Mariana Pajon, Eva Ailloud (FRA), Caroline Buchanan (AUS), Arielle Martin (USA) and last year’s junior world champion Merle van Benthem (NED).

Official practice starts this afternoon (local time) with competition starting tomorrow. There’s a new format for Supercross World Cup events this year with an initial time trial to qualify the fastest 48 men and 24 women. There is a further round of time trial superfinals for qualifiers to determine rankings.

Saturday’s racing incorporates an initial three motos to secure places in the quarterfinals for women and eighth finals for men, with single race eliminations through to the finals.

New Zealand has three men in the elite competition with Willers joined by the much improved Kurt James (Cambridge), and Tauranga’s Kurt Pickard, the 2010 national champion, who is making a return to the sport. Walker is the sole New Zealand female competing.

There are four elite junior men competing in South Africa comprising Trent Woodcock (Pukekohe), Nick Fox (Gisborne), Daniel Franks (Christchurch) and Trent Jones (Whangarei).

The team is: Sarah Walker (Cambridge), Marc Willers (Cambridge), Kurt James (Cambridge), Kurt Pickard (Tauranga), Trent Woodcock (Pukekohe) Nick Fox (Gisborne), Daniel Franks (Christchurch), Trent Jones (Whangarei). Coach: Ken Cools. Asst coach/mechanic: Ryan Hollows.