New BMX national champions - mishap for Olympian

May 14, 2010

Written by Bart de Jong

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Sydney's Alex Cameron made a late run to win the national BMX elite national title in Shepparton. After taking the lead from Adelaide's Anthony Dean in the third straight, Cameron claimed his first major win of the year. A mishap in the first straight ruled out any chance for Olympian, Luke Madill, to take a record fourth national title. Defending champion, Billy Jolliffe and national series winner on Thursday, Brian Kirkham, also fell victim to the squeeze in the first straight. Second went to Dean with fellow Adelaide riders, Kirkham and Michael Fenwick, in third and fourth respectively.

In the elite women's race a strong start by Bendigo's Jaclyn Wilson-Thompson looked likely to have the elite women's crown until a late charge came from Cherie Simpson of Queensland. The 19 year old pounced in the final corner claiming her first ever national title.

"I can't believe I won it! She was quite a bit in front of me. I pulled the same move on her as I did on Thursday and she tried to block me. I got a tyre in front and we were pushing each other," said Simpson.

This marked Simpson's second win of the championships after claiming the national series title on Thursday. Jaclyn Wilson-Thompson dominated in the heats making it a struggle for Simpson in the final.

" I knew today it would be a lot harder. Jaclyn is very determined. She's a tough competitor," said Simpson. I came around the last corner and all the Queenslanders were there they were going crazy. I threw in a few pedals at the finish."

In the junior men's final a blown tyre brought down Perth's Darryn Goodwin leaving the win to Melbourne's Matthew Dunsworth. However Perth rider, Kirsten Dellar was able to claim a win in the junior women's race.

Other national titles were taken by Tony Harvey (30+men), Ryan Van Vugt (16 boys), Madison Janssen (16 girls), Jack Buchhorn (15 boys), Rachel Jones (15 girls), Jordan Lecher (14 boys) and Harriet Burbidge-Smith (14 girls).