BMX Australia. Round 1 of the Nationals held in Nerang. By Andrew Farrell

Jan 05, 2014

Written by Bart de Jong

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Kirsten Dellar, Anthony Dean, Max Cairns and New Zealand’s Hannah Sarten were all Round 1 winners in Nerang at the BMX Australia National Series. Hot conditions met riders early as they practiced, though by race time a cooling breeze had taken the edge of the heat which was welcomed by both riders and spectators. All riders were out to impress, with Round 1 showing off those who came prepared having done their work during the off season.

The new season brought with it a number of new features that included live streaming of racing and the “Hole Shot” Award for the Probikx class. The first rider out of turn one was awarded the Hole Shot and it was Max Cairns in Junior Men and Anthony Dean in Elite Men who took the award and the race win.

In the Elite Women’s class Caroline Buchanan was pipped for the win by Kirsten Dellar. Racing 3 motos which accumulated overall points Dellar was behind Caroline coming into the last race needing to win it for any chance of beating the 2013 World Champion. Dellar and Buchanan were neck and neck as they entered turn 1 with Buchanan choosing to the Pro straight. The gamble didn’t pay off and Dellar kept it rolling through to come out in front.

In the Elite Men, Anthony Dean returned to Australia after spending the last half of 2013 in the USA. Riding for a new team he was keen to impress but there was a great field he was up against. Both semi finals in the Men’s were stacked with talent and moreso the final with the likes of Luke Madill, Corey Frieswyk, Josh Callan and Barry Nobles.

Dean took the Hole Shot in what was a fiercely contested corner, that same turn had seen a number of riders shoot in which such speed that it forced others high and on occasions just short of the crowd who gathered to watch the Series. Out of turn one Dean had established only a margin of breathing space and was chased hard by the pack right to the end.

By Andrew Farrell

Elite Men results:
1 Anthony DEAN (AUS19910422)
2 VIC Bodi TURNER (AUS19940918)
3 Matthew JUSTER (AUS19901013)
4 Barry NOBLES (USA19861202)
5 Corey FRIESWYK (AUS19940126)
6 Joshua CALLAN (AUS19910408)
7 Luke MADILL (AUS19800528)
8 Matthew WILLOUGHBY (AUS19891103)

Elite Women:
1 Kirsten Dellar
2 Caroline Buchanan
3 Rachel Jones
4 Hayley Gedye
5 Leanna Curtis
6 Jacinta Pink
7 Sarah Harvey
8 Catherine Hopkins