Australia's BMX stars have put us on top of the nation rankings for both men and women after the weekend's opening round of the UCI BMX Supercross in Chula Vista, California.
Australia's BMX stars have put us on top of the nation rankings for both men and women after the weekend's opening round of the UCI BMX Supercross in Chula Vista, California.
On the individual standings Sam Willoughby is sitting in second place- to read Sam's latest "My Journey to London" diary entry about the race click here. Brian Kirkham is sixth and Kahlen Young is ranked 16th while in the women's rankings competition between compatriots is intense with Carolin Buchanan ranked third, Lauren Reynolds fourth and Melinda McLeod fifth.
Buchanan won the time trial super final in Chula Vista which has added to Australia's points tally which is now 4,803, a 328 point lead over the USA with France 470 points further back in third place.
"I am super happy with that," said Buchanan after her time trial win. "Qualifying first in the first round, I've never done that before.
"I was just excited and thought if I can just put that same time together for the second ride I'd be up there.
"The Olympics are so close and every race counts so much," explained Buchanan. "Australia has three amazing (female) riders we're all within the top five in the world and only two of us will go. These points are crucial and I'm really happy with that."
Buchanan, who was the ranked number four in last year's Supercross standings, clocked 36.073 to edge out American favourite Arielle Martin (36.546) with Amanda Carr (USA) third in time of 36.567.
Meantime Willoughby was second in the elite men's main event with his result moving Australia up to a tally of 4,802 points. France is ranked second in the men's classification with 4,333 points and France is ranked third on 4,243 points.
In the head to head finals racing in Chula Vista 2008 Olympic champion Maris Strombergs (LAT) got the hole shot and was half a bike length ahead but he the door open on the first turn and 2011 round winner Connor Fields (USA) pedalled through to grab the lead which he held to the line. Willoughby negotiated his way through the traffic to ride home in second place with David Herman claiming the bronze medal.
“That is three out of four times I have finished second here in Chula Vista," said Willoughby. "Three seconds is pretty good I guess. I will take that. It is a great start to the year.
"It was always going to be tough to beat Connor here," Willoughby admitted. "He knows the track like the back of his hand so I tagged on the back of him and followed him. It is a consistent start and I am happy with that. It's a level playing field, hopefully we will finish on top in two weeks at the next stop.”
Willoughby says the intensity has risen because of the looming Olympic Games.
“The level goes up absolutely. I stepped up my game this year with more focus on these SX races," he said. "Now I am enjoying the big hill again. Now I can feel it again, the feeling I had in 2009. I am having that same enjoyment of the big hill so looking forward to this year.”
In the women's final Buchanan was the best placed of the Australians in fifth place while an unlucky Lauren Reynolds pulled her foot out of the pedal as the starting gate dropped and rode home in seventh place.
Cycling Australia