Australia’s Saya Sakakibara has won the ‘Ready Steady Tokyo’, the official Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games test event being staged on the BMX racing circuit.
Sakakibara narrowly edged out reigning world champions Alise Post on the line in front of an adoring Tokyo crowd.
The looming typhoon forced the consolidation of the three-day event into one day with riders running all motos, semi finals and finals on one afternoon.
“This meant extra laps for us on this very very long track,” the Japanese-born Sakakibara said.
“I didn’t know how my legs would make it through the day but I think we got through. was trying to save my energy, like rolling the last straight.”
Earlier in qualifying, Sakakibara claimed a first and second in the motos, before a second in the semi final sent her through to the final.
“In the final, my start wasn’t very good, but I was able to go through the pack and surprise myself with a win which was really unexpected,” the 20 year- old, who is aiming for her maiden Australian team selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“It was really cool to test out the track, being here at the Olympic track is crazy. I am on a high right now and I am excited to work on the areas I need to work on as it is a very technical track.
“Hopefully I can get myself onto the Australian team (for Tokyo 2020) and come back and go for the (Olympic) gold medal.”
Anthony Dean just missed the podium in fourth, while injury cut Kai Sakakibara’s day short.
