CYCLING - BMX: Australia’s Anthony Dean has claimed his first professional BMX victory in the USA, winning the Great Salt Lake National Pre Race at the Red Canyon BMX track in Salt Lake City, Utah, his last race before the Rio Olympic Games.

Dean entered the USA Nationals event following a tough UCI BMX World Championships, where both he and fellow Aussie Sam Willoughby were bailed out in the semi finals, along with dual Olympic champion Maris Strombergs of Latvia and former world champion Liam Phillips of Great Britain.

Despite being in the thick of a heavy training block just 48 days away from the commencement of the Olympics, Dean was very pleased to make his last ride before Rio a victory, beating recently crowned world champion Joris Daudet of France along the way.

“I just wanted to ride well and put away a solid result, winning gives me a lot of confidence, especially after a bad worlds. I wanted to prove before the Olympics that I can get the job done,” Dean enthused.

“It’s also great to tick of that milestone [first USA pro victory]. Last season I had 10 podiums, so I am very pleased to win.

“The plan for this race was just to come here and see how I am going in the middle of a hard training block, so I am happy with my progress. The next race is the Olympics, and I need to be ready. Beating Joris today was great for my confidence too.

“There’s about eight weeks before the BMX racing in Rio, and finishing my last race before the Games with a win is a solid start to my final preparations.”

While the BMX World Championships were a key Rio selection chance, victory in the USA will no doubt bolster Dean’s aspirations of representing Australia at an Olympics for the first time.  

The Australian Olympic Team will formally announce riders selected in the BMX contingent at 11am on July 5 in Dean’s hometown of Adelaide. 

BMX Australia