Pedal power puts BMX girls on world stage
FROM BACK PAGE
“This is my second trip over there this year.
“Obviously I didn’t get the result I was chasing at the World Championships but this is a different sort of track.
“The hills aren’t as big and it’s an indoor track so it’s a little tighter.
“I think that will suit me better.”
While Cairns boys had historically performed well in BMX, Petre said girls were more than holding the own against their male counterparts.
“It’s a male-dominated sport but we’re starting to see the girls outperform the boys which is good,” she said.
“Aislynn, Portia and I are in different age groups but there are girls competing and doing well too.”
Petre’s father and Cairns BMX club coach, Steve, said the girls had earned the right to represent Australia by outperforming competitors at events on the Gold Coast, Bathurst, Shepparton, Cairns and Brisbane throughout the year.
“As a club we’ve always been pretty strong but this is a big effort,” he said
“Airfares, accommodation and entry into the event is all paid for so it’s a pretty big deal.”
Eden, who required surgery after breaking both her wrists in a recent training accident, will compete in the 17 women’s class.
“It was a pretty big accident we’re confident she’ll be OK,” the elder Petre said.
The younger Petre added: “Her casts are off, so she’s ready to ride.”
The teenage rider said she attributed her ability to recover quickly from races largely to chocolate milk.
“I reckon it does help,” she said. “It’s like the best recovery drink ever.
“I’m sort of known for my obsession with my choccy milk. I try to lay off every now and then but I probably go through about two litres a week.
“Sometimes I share with my brother.”
Weber will compete in the 10-year-old girls class.
The Grand Nationals start Friday, November 24.