The BMX State Championships got underway today on the Gold Coast. Over 200 riders raced in Cruiser class with local rider, Alex Ulyate (Nerang) taking out the prestigious elite class. In a close finish Uylate held off the fast finishing Cairns rider, Josh Nash. Mackay rider, Ryan Faux placed third. For Ulyate this marks his first national plate. “I’ve been number two a few times but this is good. It really gives me some confidence for tomorrow,” he said. Both Ulyate and Nash are first year elite and will line up tomorrow morning in the first round of the National Tour. Some of the hot favourites are Adelaide’s Matthew Willoughby plus the Sunshine Coast pair of Joel Clark and Dirk Winter. Also expected to be in the showings are local rider, Stevie Janssen. Fellow Gold Coast rider, Cherie Simpson is hoping for some home crowd support when she racing in the elite women’s category. A strong challenge could come from Bendigo’s Jaclyn Wilson-Thomspson. The junior men’s division has a strong bucket of talent including
Perth’s Darren Goodwin. A new bunch of junior women included two strong riders Melinda McLeod from Mackay and Gold Coast’s Lacey Oliver.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.