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b.. Caroline Buchanan (24.10.1990 Kambah, ACT) Junior competition - 3rd Australian Championships. Elite competition - 13th Australian round UCI Supercross World Cup Series
c.. Josh Callan (08.04.1991 Healesville VIC) Junior competition - 5th World Championships and third overall BMXA Probikx National Series
d.. Lauren Reynolds (25.06.1991 Clifton Park, WA) Junior competition - 2nd World Championships and 1st Australian Championships. Elite competition - 11th Australian round UCI Supercross Series
e.. Sam Willoughby (15.08.1991 Trott Park, SA) Junior competition - 1st Junior World Championships, 1st Australian Championships and BMXA Probikx National Series champion. Elite competition - 9th Denmark round UCI Supercross World Cup Series.

"The riders show great potential to continue to develop and to reach their best in the years to come," said Bootes. "I am fortunate to be able to work with and guide talented riders who have the motivation and drive to succeed. I believe these riders will lead the rest of the nation to a level that will help Australia dominate at the international level on the BMX track."

Bootes says 2009 will be a year for development as the five riders step up from the junior ranks. "With great results in 2008 as juniors and already mixing it with the best senior riders around the world in BMX and MTB events, I see them continuing on with their success for many years ahead."

Bootes says there has been a very positive impact on the sport from the inclusion of BMX in the Olympic Games. " For sure there is a lot more talk from the general public about BMX since the Olympic Games and the number of new riders in the sport has grown," said Bootes. "Also the commitment to the top end of riders has increased with people regarding BMX as a major sport and top class riders wanting to make a living out of riding a BMX bike."

The plan for the 2009 BMX Elite Development Squad will include a semi residential BMX program with a daily training program for the riders.

"The Cycling Australia BMX High Performance Program will utilise the Queensland Academy of Sport facilities and will have the support of other State Institutes and Academies," said Bootes."It means we'll have the best resources to support the individual development of the riders to help them qualify for Australian teams for Supercross events and World Championships. The aim is to expose them to as much international racing experience as possible so they can improve and excel as we head towards the 2012 Olympic Games in London."

The squad will assemble on the Gold Coast tomorrow for their first training camp which will include competing in the Nerang round of the 2008-09 UCI BMX Oceania series being staged this Friday and Saturday (January 2 and 3).