Teen rider in super step

BMX flyer aims to soar to world heights

First New Zealand, then the world.

Teenage cycling ace Flynn Sweeney will take a huge step towards fulfilling his dream of becoming one of the world’s greatest BMX supercross riders this weekend but he already has bigger goals in mind.

The 18-year-old will compete in the UCI (Union Cycliste International) BMX Supercross World Cup in Rotorua that draws the very best under-23 riders from around the world.

“I’ve wanted to turn pro for as long as I can remember,” Sweeney (pictured) said.

“I started BMX when I was six and I’ve loved it ever since, and the crashes, they’re just part of the fun of it.’’

After battling injury in the later stages of his junior career the Bond University student has now set his sights on qualifying for the Australian team to compete at the World Championships at Rock Hill in South Carolina in May.

“This is my first year on the pro circuit and these events are definitely the biggest I’ve competed in so far,” he said.

“But my preparation has been great, I’ve been training with some local guys who are full-time professionals living in the USA and France who have come back to prepare for the first four events of the World Cup, so I’m getting a close look at the standard I can expect.’’

The first two rounds of the World Cup will be held in New Zealand before Sweeney returns home to Australia to compete in the Oceania Championships at the Brisbane SX International BMX Centre.

Rounds three and four will then be held at Brisbane’s Sleeman Centre before the final rounds in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It’s a steady rise for the under-16 Australian champion who managed to stay in the top five in Oceania after suffering a broken scaphoid and then rotator cuff injuries.

Sweeney, who is studying his Bachelor of Commerce, wants to get through his studies before making racing his career.

“This is about getting noticed. The last two years I haven’t done a lot of racing because of injuries and I missed the chance to build a world ranking,” he said.

“I am really fortunate to have received the ADCO Sports Excellence Scholarship and with the Bond Elite Sport Program (whee) there is flexibility with exams, so it’s a good fit for me.

“My plan is to study full time for two years while I work on climbing the rankings and trying to establish myself.’’