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and one that is very family oriented,” BMX Australia’s President Mr Barry Knight said.

“That’s what differentiates BMX as a sport; the social side of it, the family involvement, the community feel and the relationships made. The track and the facilities in Shepparton are first class and a favourite among riders. BMX Australia believes in leaving a legacy to the sport, that was the case from 2010 and it’s great that we can return in 2014 to continue to build that with assistance of the Greater Shepparton City Council.”

Greater Shepparton Mayor Jenny Houlihan said the city was excited about hosting another major BMX event: “We have previously hosted the 2010 BMX Nationals, 2011 Victorian BMX Championships and Australasian Schools Cycling Cup. Securing this event is a significant coup for Greater Shepparton and supports the work Council has put into redeveloping BMX facilities,” Cr Houlihan said. “This event will further cement our reputation as a major sporting events destination in regional Australia. The event will also have wider benefits for Greater Shepparton, including an increase to the local economy through accommodation, hospitality and retail spending.”

Over 3,000 entrants are expected to compete during the week that will attract between 10-15,000 spectators boosting the local economy with an estimated $8.5 million in economic benefit from riders and families attending the National Championships.

The path to the 2014 BMX National Championships is already well under way with riders needing to have competed in their home State Titles to be eligible to qualify to ride at the national event – most of those State Titles have already been held. Riders who failed to ride at their home State Titles are unable enter the National Championships without submitting a Wildcard Application, which will be reviewed by the Event Management Committee.

In a major step forward, BMX Australia has applied equal prize money for the Elite Championships classes; women will now be awarded the same prize money as men. Plus, the overall prize pool has increased for Elite & Masters classes, almost tripling in size to now be $16,000. In terms of a breakdown of just how much the prize pool has been increased, the Elite and Junior Men’s has doubled, the Elite Women’s has increased five-fold and the Junior Women have had their pool quadrupled.

“This has been a major initiative introduced by the Board of BMX Australia,” said Mr Knight. “BMX Australia is continuing to invest in the athletes within our sport and into our national events as we increase the appeal of the sport.”

During the week long National Championships, the event includes the final round of the National Series, which for the Probikx Tour culminates as a Continental Championship. This championship event opens the way for international riders in the Oceania region to compete against Australian riders ahead of riding against them at the World Championships later in July when they are held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The Oceania Championships will be held under lights, as they were last year where they provided a great spectacle adding to the carnival feel of the event.

“We had so many people tell us what a great time they had watching racing at night that we have included it again in 2014,” Mr Knight said. “The atmosphere becomes something else when the sun goes down and the track lights up for racing.”

Schedule:

Tuesday, 29 April
11.00am – 5.00pm: Open Practice

Wednesday, 30 April
7.00am – 10.55am: Practice
11.00am – 12.00pm: Sprocket Coaching Clinic
12.00pm – 12.30pm: BMX Mini Wheelers
1.00pm – 5.00pm: Pre-Titles Racing

Thursday, 1 May
8.45am – 11.00am: Sprocket & BMX Mini Wheeler Participation
11.10am – 12.30pm: Sprocket & BMX Mini Wheeler Presentations
4.20pm – 5.00pm: Opening Ceremony
5.20pm – 9.30pm: Racing – Crackerjack, Dynamite, National Series & Oceania Championships

Friday, 2 May
9.10am: Racing (Block 1)
After Block 1: Racing (Block 2)

Saturday, 3 May
10.00am – 4.00pm: Racing

Sunday, 4 May
10.10am: Cruiser Racing