The elite women’s race got away to a three rider challenge at the front of the field with defending champion, Cherie Simpson from the Gold Coast up against Kelly Percy from Redlands and Krystal Cranfield from Callide having a return to the sport. Percy claimed the title, her first as a senior rider, with Simpson second and Cranfield third. Percy‘s confidence had grown after strong performances in the motos . “I wasn’t confident at the start. I was winning all my motos and I felt really comfortable. But coming into the final I started to get more nervous,” admitted Percy. “I did panic a little bit.” After suffering a broken collarbone earlier in the year which resulted in surgery, Percy was pleased to be back on the bike and in good form. “I haven’t won anything since I was younger so this was quite nice,” Percy added. The elite men’s win went to Sunshine Coast’s Joel Clark after a shuffle of leaders early in the race. For the 26 year old pool tiler, it was this win that justified his reputation as one of the best riders in the state. “I’m so happy to win it again. A lot of people thought it was a fluke last year so it was good to prove I could do it again,” said Clark. The men’s final race was anybody’s guess with the lead changing down every straight until Clark finally took over winning convincingly on the line. “We were going everywhere!” admitted Clark. The heavy rain that had fallen throughout the preceding week added another level of difficulty to a tough race. “The mud has really taken it out of me,” said Clark. “The race was about ten seconds longer than it usually is which is tough,” Clark added.
Other winners on Sunday were Christopher Brown 13 boys; Abbie Blackbutn 13 girls; Morgan McPherson 14 girls; Tristyn Kronk 14 boys; Erin Rook 15 girls; Jack Buchhorn 15 boys; Tenika Bragg 16 girls; Nathan Knight 16 boys and Justin Lamb 30+ masters men.
The championships boasted just under 900 riders with 53 state championship titles claimed over two and a half days. Bundaberg has been announced as the 2011 location for the BMX Queensland State Championships in September.
Pics by Reflex photography
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.