BMX: Rio 2016 hopefuls Anthony Dean and Caroline Buchanan led the way for Australia today on a rain swept evening of racing at the final UCI BMX Supercross World Cup round at Rock Hill, South Carolina, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
The rain refused to let up throughout the entire race program, but once again the multi million-dollar track demonstrated what money can buy, holding up remarkably in the deluge to deliver world class racing much to the delight of the brave fans in attendance.
Dean kept a cool head to safely navigate his way through to the final, his experience at the big events on full display on a night where even a slight mistake cost dearly. Indeed, even Sam Willoughby, a rider whose ability to consistently make main events has become a hallmark of his career, was eliminated in the semi-final after marginally missing the start. Bodi Turner also fell just short, finishing fifth in his semi, ultimately left with too much to do from lane eight.
The final itself was an absorbing contest, with duel Olympic champion Maris Strombergs emerging from the pack to secure his first world cup win of the season, and a record seventh of his decorated career. Stromberg’s win did much to highlight the current strength of the men’s elite class, with any number of riders capable of winning on their day, something Dean is acutely aware of heading into an Olympic year.
“The rain was definitely a factor out there tonight, not so much the track but dealing with the cold and wet goggles and handle grips was tough, it was more of a mental factor out there than anything,” Dean said.
“The elite class is so strong at the moment, which is to be expected in the lead up to an Olympic year, so it’s no surprise everyone is going fast.”
“So it’s crucial that you find an edge out there, which really comes down to the main event and not cracking under the pressure to make it happen.”
Great Britain’s Liam Phillips cast a dejected figure after unclipping down the start ramp to finish eighth, his spirits undoubtedly lifted when he was crowned World Cup series champion for the second year in a row, the first time that has been achieved in Supercross history. The result sees Dean finish in fifth overall, Willoughby in sixth and Turner ninth in what has been a breakout international season.
In the elite women’s main event, Olympic champion Marian Pajon and American Alise Post took to the start ramp knowing that a win would be enough to secure the World Cup series title. Ultimately it was Pajon who stamped her authority as the best in the world with a brilliant last straight to pip Stefany Hernandez on the line for the win and the series title, while Post’s world cup creams came crashing down when she hit the deck on the penultimate straight.
Buchanan looked sharp in the lead up main event, as she chased a top three finish to secure a World Cup series podium. However things didn’t go the way she would have liked when it mattered, never featuring up the front to finish in sixth. The result saw her finish the series in fourth, with compatriot Lauren Reynolds next best in sixth.
Other Aussies in action included Matt Juster who was 21st overall, Corey Frieswyk (40th), Josh Callan (44th), Tom Siinmaa (53rd) and Brandon Te Hiko (56th).
Also braving the elements in the elite women was Melinda McLeod (16th), Lauren Reynolds (18th), Rachel Jones (24th), Kirsten Dellar (27th) and Leanna Curtis (32nd).
A small group of our elite riders now head to the Olympic venue in Rio for a test event next weekend, while others turn their attention to the USA SX series event in Chula Vista in two week’s time.
Edward Simpson
BMX Australia
