lead early on, it was Pajon however who made her move on the final turn coming up side by side with Reade and from their it was race on for the line. Reade managed to get in front on the line by less than half a wheel to take the title and the double on the weekend after winning the Time Trial Super Final on Friday. This was a repeat of her Manchester performance in round one of the UCI BMX Supercross World Tour and places Reade firmly on top of the series leaders table. Laura Smulders rounded of the podium taking the bronze medal. Shanaze Reade said: "I am so tired and in the same time so happy. To have the Olympic Champion on your back in the final and then win it makes it even more special. This year I want to win the overall BMX Supercross World Cup series and win the World Championships."
The mens racing was difficult to call early on. All the topriders had very strong heats like of Connor Fields (USA), the french quartet of Joris Daudet, Sylvian Andre, Quinten Caleron and Vincent Pellaurd, The Netherlands freight train of Jelle van Gorkom, Twan van Gendt and Raymon van der Beizen, Australian Anthony Dean, Brazilian Renato Rezende and South African Sifiso Nhlapo. Local hero, Lucas Bustos (ARG) raced like a man possessed and can be very proud of his semi final result.
Come the finals it was Connor Fields all the way after getting the hole-shot and powering his way to the front of the field into the first turn. Daudet tried all he could to close the gap. But in true Fields style it was a one horse race once he got a sniff of the finish line. He also successfully managed to get the double on the weekend like Reade by taking both the Time Trial and Race titles. Daudet took second with a Jelle van Gorkom taking third spot on the podium announcing his return to racing ahead of the third leg of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Tour on his home track in Papendal.
Connor Fields was very excited. "This feels really good. We had a great preparation for this event with the whole team, the coaches and physios. They keep my mind and body in great shape and ready to win. I want to keep going like this, working hard and end up on some more podiums this year.”
All involved have been absolutely blown away by the South American hospitality. The event has definitely set the bar at a new level with regards to atmosphere and fans.
The next round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup takes place in Papendal in the Netherlands 15th -16th of June.
Results
Elite Men
1. Connor Fields 32.008 (USA)
2. Jelle Van Gorkom (Netherlands) 32.850
3. Joris Daudet (France) 33.769
Elite Women
1. Shanaze Reade (Great Britain) 35.622
2. Mariana Pajon (Colombia) 35.675
3. Laura Smulders (Netherlands) 36.090
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.