Rain can’t dampen spirits at Subaru BMX Oz Nationals

May 02, 2014

Written by Bart de Jong

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The heavens may have opened but the spirits of competitors and supporters could not be dulled as 23 titles were decided at the Subaru BMX National Championships in Shepparton. Almost 1000 competitors braved wind and rain as they fought for coveted national championships and the right to don the A1 plate on their bikes for the next year.

Shepparton BMX Club’s Tayla Robertson provided one of the highlights of the week, setting the local fans alight by winning the

girl’s 8yrs class, whilst reigning world champion Des’Ree Barnes (Beenleigh, Qld) showed her absolute talent to score a dominant win in the girl’s 12 years class.

Another current world champion, Pine Rivers’ (Qld) Thomas Tucker streeted the field to take out the boy’s 9yrs gold.

South Australia’s Cross Keys club’s Chelsey Key defended her national 30-34 women’s crown and was joined on the winner’s podium by clubmates Brett Herreen (men’s 25-29yrs), Greg Clift (men’s 30 & over) and brilliant 13-year-old Cooper Tye.

New national boy’s 12-year-old champion, Castle Hill BMX Club’s Aston Wypych-Coles said the start required so much concentration given the title at stake and the challenging weather and track conditions.

“A lot was going through my head, I wanted to win so bad,” Wypych-Coles said.

“Oliver Moran (second), Jack Davis (third) and I were so close, it was nearly anyone’s race.

“I’m going to the Netherlands (to the UCI BMX World Championships) this year and I’m trying to bring home the world number one this year.”

Wypych-Coles was one of three winners from the Castle Hill club along with Ashlee Miller (girl’s 13yrs) and Julian Carruthers (boy’s 8yrs)

In other events, Peter Rice and Dean Mason gave Victoria’s South Eastern club a quinella in the men’s 50+ class, another Victorian club, Wyndham Warriors, provided winners Gary Morgan (men’s 45-49) and Samantha Molloy (women’s 17-24). Happy Valley (South Australia) also had two victors on the day – Joel Marsh (boy’s 10yrs) and Justin Myers (men’s 17-24).

Tomorrow will see the marquee finals National Championships events including the men’s and women’s elite races featuring reigning BMX world champion Caroline Buchanan and Olympic silver medallist Sam Willoughby.