Newly crowed 2011 Australian Champions Sam Willoughby and Caroline Buchanan will join High Performance riders and Head Coach Wade Bootes for a training camp this week on the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast based, Bootes and Assistant Coach, Paul Sales will run their eyes over Australia’s best riders in the lead up to next months UCI Supercross World Cup round in Papendal, Netherlands.

UCI Supercross World Cup rounds offer riders the best chance to claim Olympic qualifying points, with the three best results in Men and Women counting towards Australia’s National standing.

Australia, currently number one on Men and Women UCI National rankings need to maintain a top four ranking to select the maximum three men and two women who can compete at the 2012 Olympics.

15-months out there is still a lot of work to be done and Bootes knows this better then any. A veteran US pro circuit rider and an American BMX Association Champion, the Australian High Performance Coach is fundamental to both the physical and mental preparation of Australia’s BMX athletes in the build up to London.

In a memo sent out to all High Performance riders Bootes outlined what to expect at the recent 2011 BMX Australia National Championships.

“When you arrive in Cairns (host city) you will feel like you have a target on your back, it won’t be abnormal to feel nervous in the lead up, mental strength and focus is key to success,” said Bootes.

“The National Championships offers a great opportunity for all athletes to ride under the pressure of expectation in front of big crowds, this preparation is crucial for athletes riding at international level”

21- year-old, Buchanan has the mental strength and determination to lead Australia to success in London. Hoping to make what was a dream a reality after being to young to compete in 2008 Beijing Olympics, the two-time Mountain Bike World Champion is counting down the days to London.

“The competition is tough and it really does come down to preparation and mental toughness. I went through some tough times with the Canberra fires and have built up a resilience and determination to succeeded at the highest level,” said Buchanan.

“It’s going to be a busy few months, High Performance Team has a camp on the Gold Coast, then I’m off to the Netherlands for the second round of UCI Supercross World Cup, European round and then the US.”

Spirits will be high for Tuggeranong rider, Buchanan who won the National Elite Women Series and National Championships.

“It’s was pleasing to win after missing last years National Championships in Shepparton and gives me great confidence going into Holland,” said Buchanan.

Like Buchanan, South Australian, Willoughby has his eye well and truly set on London. The current UCI second ranked rider overall displayed why he is the most talked about Australian BMX rider. A two-time World Champion at junior level, US based pro, Willoughby had no trouble making the step up to the Elite category winning last years American BMX Association Grand Nationals.

Focused in his preparation and race day rituals, it is clear Willoughby is on track to make his Olympic debut.

"To come home from the US and win my first National Elite Championship is a huge thing because anything can happen out there on the track," said Willoughby.
 
"There is so much depth among the Australian riders with Brian (Kirkham) riding so well and Khalen (Young) also back from America.”
 
"You have to be right on your game every time you race but it was exciting to come home, race well and do it in front of a big crowd."

With three Women, Buchanan, Western Australian, Lauren Reynolds, Gold Coast rider Rachel Bracken and two men, Willoughby and fellow South Australian, Kirkham inside the top 10, a place on the Australian BMX Olympics team is sure to be hotly contested and the next few months will give a good indication as to who will be on the plane to London in 15-months time.

BMX Australia