National Champbix Round 3 and 4 in my host city of Bunbury, W.A

 

                                                                                    Report by Rachelle Smith

 

 

Track: Perkins BMX stadium Bunbury. It is arguably the most technical track in Australia at the moment. Really glad this was my home track!

 

Weather; Bunbury put on a heatwave on Saturday 28^th January and extreme wind just to challenge all riders on Sunday 29^th January.

 

Riders: The top 8 competitors in my 15 girls age group were competing. Every race was going to be like a final of the Nationals as we were all in the one heat

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Results: Podium finish             Round 3: 1^st and Round 4: 2^nd

 

Thursday 26^th January: Started with a BIG BANG!

We welcomed our interstate Redline Team riders on Australia Day and took Barry and Sarah Harvey to the Fireworks spectacular over the city waters that night. The fireworks were rad and this set the scene for a great weekend

 

Friday 27^th January

Set up the Redline tents with Aaron Nottles family in the designated pit area at the stadium. Spent the afternoon doing some practise laps watching everyone trying to nail the track. In my head I had already decided I was going to hit up the first double at full speed. This later proved to give me a winning edge down the first straight.

 

Saturday 28^th January / Round 3

Time trial 1: 2^nd pick going into the motos.

I raced my best in the 3 motos, finishing first, each time. Everything came together; the gearing, my gates and I felt really smooth leading into the main. I had first gate pick and confident enough to go lane one and have the inside edge. By the end of the first straight I had the lead. Pedalling at top speed I manualed the second straight and was smooth over the rhythm section in the third. I had gained some bike lengths by the fourth straight and finished first in the final. Home we went, for some rest and relaxation and I was even looking forward to the ice bath, as tomorrow was going to be a 7.30 am start!!!

 

Sunday 29^th January/ Round 4

What a surprising turn of events today!

 The wind speed was gusting at 50 knots at times. BMXA were in a panic and rumours were spreading that the Elite and Junior Elite would not be doing the Pro Section today. Fair enough call, but a lot changed that morning. We had our champbix warm up as usual and began Time Trial 1. Due to the windy conditions I paced myself and finished 4^th in the time trial. I was ready for racing hard on the track despite the conditions. BUT then officials had a big meeting and it was decided that Elite results would be based on their upcoming time trial. I know some riders felt disappointed but safety was important and the track had already claimed many good riders with broken wrists and arms and grazes. 

 

Time Trials give a result!

There was a lot of discussion about cancelling the event and using our time trial as the champbix event result. That was not in my best interests as I know I could go harder. As per BMXA decision, all champbix riders were given a second time trial. I was pumped and ready to improve my time. Had a good gate, and then unclipped over the first double, quickly got it back in and pedalled even harder, finished smoothly and then found out that it had put me in second place for Round 4. A strange way to end the  Champbix day but I learnt a lot that anything can happen in BMX racing. 

 

See you all at Melba BMX club in Canberra for Round 5 and 6!

 

 Photo of Josh & myself after his win RD4

GO JOSH