After quite a restless, long bus trip we had arrived in Gisborne, not really prepared but keen to ride the track. The Gisborne club had prepared a great venue with an awesome track. It was fast, smooth and if you ask me or almost any other Australian Team member it was very hard too! 

By the time racing had come round I was feeling great on the track and so was the rest of the team. That was until the first test team race and 5 out of 8 riders found themselves getting close and personal to the track. I was one of these going over the handlebars into the first jump hurting my wrist and getting 7^th. After I had gotten my wrist strapped it made it possible to hold on again but racing proved painful and I was restricted with what I could do on the track. I placed 2^nd in the second race behind Alex Cahill another Australian rider and at this stage we were leading the competition. The third race turned out one that we would prefer not remember placing 5-8^th and this gave the kiwis a strong lead going into the final two races the next day.

Waking up the next day I felt a little bit better after recovering but could still feel the pain of the crash from the day before, as did Alex and Chris feel the pain from their crashes. First motto was a pretty good race for our team we reclaimed the lead with 1, 2, 4 and 7th places but Chris added another tally to his crash count. The pressure had built up for the final as this would decide the winner only 6 points divided the teams. I had a good gate and this allowed me to create an easier path for my teammates into the first berm, we had a good race placing 1, 2, 3 and 8th. Chris came undone in the second berm taking some more paint off his bike; I’m convinced now that he was just trying to get a new bike. This meant we had won the Test Team Competition and I also placed 2^nd in the 15boys competition.

A big thanks to Andy and Steve who looked after us over there, Bmx Australia, Bmx Queensland, Redline and also to the Gisborne Bmx club and the volunteers that made it all possible. I had a great experience meeting new people, making close friends and catching up with old ones. Also a big thanks and congratulations to the rest of the Aussie team.

Thanks again

Tristyn Kronk