Willoughby and Buchanan add national BMX crowns to trophy cabinet

May 05, 2014

Written by Bart de Jong

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London Olympic silver medallist Sam Willoughby and reigning world champion Caroline Buchanan have scored contrasting victories in claiming the elite men’s and women’s titles at the 2014 Subaru National BMX Championships in Shepparton. The dynamic duo added to their burgeoning resumes and won back national crowns they both last claimed in 2011, with the victories complimenting the Oceania Championships the pair snared on Thursday night.

Willoughby had to fight all the way to defeat rising star Anthony Dean and National Series winner Bodi Turner but Buchanan’s red hot win was far more comprehensive.

Other impressive winners were elite junior stars Jade Parker (QLD) and Max Cairns (VIC), 14 boy’s phenomenon Jaden Rice

(VIC) and Queenslander Sara Jones in the 15 girl’s.

Many in the heaving crowd had come to see Willoughby and the 2012 world champion said he did not want to disappoint. He got out of the launched from the gates with a typically blistering start but fellow South Australian Dean, who like Willoughby is now based in San Diego, immediately threw out a challenge.

There was nothing between the pair at the end of the first and second straights before Willoughby showed his class to push ahead and seal the title. “I’m happy to get that one,” Willoughby said. “It wasn’t the lap I visualised but I got to the finish first so I’ll take it. It’s a long track, add some rain and all the support from everyone here that always overwhelms me when I come home. It’s surreal.”

In the women’s event, ACT’s Buchanan beat home Leanna Curtis (NSW) and Kirsten Dellar (WA) to continue a winning streak at major events this year that now includes the first round of the UCI Supercross World Cup, the Oceania crown and now the National Championship.

Buchanan said she was unaware of how much of a lead she had until right at the end of the race and didn’t stop pedalling until she was within metres of the finish line, even though she was ten metres in front of her nearest rival. “I really didn’t know how far in front I was,” Buchanan said. “BMX is never over until the finish line and I am always trying to challenge myself for that world stage. I’m really hungry for Rio.”

Pic by BdJ