Willoughby and Buchanan claim Oceania BMX Championships

May 01, 2014

Written by Bart de Jong

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Racing under lights in front of a packed house, London Olympic silver medallist Sam Willoughby and reigning world champion Caroline Buchanan have taken out the elite men’s and women’s Oceania BMX Championships at Shepparton in Victoria. The pair, who both remained undefeated throughout the event, led from start to finish in their respective finals, which doubled as the last round of the national series.

Buchanan’s victory also handed her the national series title with a

fourth win from five rounds. For Willoughby it was a triumphant first return to Australia from his base in San Diego this year and augers well for his assault on the Subaru BMX National Championships at the same track on Saturday.

The 2012 world BMX champion defeated Anthony Dean, who stormed home for silver, ahead of reigning Australian champion Corey Frieswyk.

Rising star Bodi Turner crossed the line in fifth, which was enough for the Victorian to claim his first ever elite men’s national series.

Willoughby said the win on his return to Australia lifted a weight off his shoulders. “It feels good, I’ve got a busy month coming up and there’s a lot of pressure when I come home to these races and I feel it,” Willoughby said. “So it’s good to come here and put together perfection and that’s what I train to do.”

Buchanan, who was followed home by last year’s world championships’ runner-up Lauren Reynolds and NSW’s Rachel Jones, said she just loved performing in front of a packed crowd. “I love a show, this is the best part of BMX, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy what it’s all about,” Buchanan said. “I’m coming in feeling strong, coming off the back of a world cup win and I’m hungry for a national title.”

Earlier, Victoria’s world number six ranked junior men’s rider Max Cairns confirmed his undoubted potential with a stunning win in his category to lock up the national series, whilst Queenslander Jade Parker scored a stirring win in the corresponding women’s class and earned herself a series crown too.

Action continues on Friday with riders on the track throughout the day contesting the various Challenge class national titles before the elite competitors return on Saturday.