BMX: Sam Willoughby and Caroline Buchanan have both finished second in their respective time trial super finals this morning at the final UCI Supercross World Cup round in Rock Hill, USA, while a strong contingent of Aussies also progressed through the qualification rounds.
The world class Olympic facility, the only one of its kind on the east coast of America, held up remarkably well in the largely wet conditions, paving the way for some thrilling racing under the stadium lights.
The rain had stopped by the time the top sixteen men took to the track for their time trial superfinal, providing past world champion Willoughby the opportunity to spread his wings and send a warning to his rivals ahead of tomorrow’s racing. Although far from perfect, Willoughby managed to post an impressive time that momentarily earned him the lead, before he was eventually dethroned by Ducthman Niek Kimmann by just .073 seconds.
“Conditions were fine out there, the track has a great surface which meant the earlier rain didn’t play any effect,” Willoughby said.
“I was happy in some respects with my run because finishing second places me in a good qualifying position, but unfortunately I made three major mistakes so I can’t help but think of what might have been.
“Overall the track is amazing and so is the facility, I love this race.”
Also in action was compatriot Anthony Dean, whose causal time trial demeanour was again on display, earning him 14th position, while Bodi Turner finished in 12th.
In the elite women, Buchanan produced a solid time to momentarily occupy the hot seat, however she was again unseated by current time trial world champion Mariana Pajon for the second world cup in a row, besting Buchanan’s time by .265 seconds.
Lauren Reynolds also had a shot at posting the best time, however didn’t produce when it mattered to finish in seventh.
Earlier in the day, as the heavens opened and the rain fell, 14 Aussies braved the trying conditions in an attempt to navigate their way through the hazardous qualification rounds.
In the elite women, Melinda McLeod looked particularly impressive, registering a first and a second on her way to qualifying 6th ahead of compatriots Leanna Curtis (13th), Kirsten Dellar (21st) and Rachel Jones (23rd). Unfortunately, Harriet Burbidge-Smith (32nd) failed to progress.
For McLeod, a two week break in Florida after the Argentinian round was just what the doctor ordered as she looks to finish the season on a high at the magnificent facility.
“It’s a fantastic facility, the track is amazing and it’s holding up really well in the rain, I wish we had more like it back home,” McLeod said.
“I’ve been staying with a friend in Florida since Argentina which has been great, I’ve really rediscovered my love for riding in the last two weeks.”
In elite men’s qualifying, Matthew Juster faired the best of the Aussies after three motos, finishing in 9th ahead of Josh Callan (33rd), Brandon Te Hiko (40th) and Tom Siinmaa (43rd). While reigning national champion Corey Frieswyk recovered from a shaky start to qualify in 45th.
Unfortunately, Tristyn Kronk (56th), Andrew Hughes (64th), Josh McLean (80th) and David Habicht (88th) failed to qualify.
Edward Simpson
BMX Australia
