Home track advantage

The gates are sparkling and the track is quicker than ever as the best riders roll into Cairns for Round 4 of the BMX Australia National Series and Grands Assault this weekend. About 330 competitors will line up across the weekend, featuring the top riders in each age group, but Cairns BMX Club’s combatants will be out to take advantage of the familiar hot conditions. Cairns BMX Club president Harald Weber said: “All the best have come to play.”

JACOB GRAMS had proven a challenge for volunteers in the lead-up but all was in readiness for a spectacular weekend.

“All the best have come to play,” he said.

“Because we’re later on in the series a few people out of contention have decided not to make the trip but the top 10 in each age group are all here.”

Local hopes in the national series round include Shannon Petre in the 14 girls, who won at the previous round in Bathurst, Ronan Weber in the Junior Men and Wade Mundie, who hopes to bounce back from a trip to hospital in his last start.

While the national series round is open to ages 14 and up, tomorrow’s Grands Assault racing will feature riders aged 10 and up, opening the door for Cairns’ 10-year-old world No.1 Portia Eden to ride and potentially secure her place on a trip to the US for the Grand Challenge.

Weber said he was expecting some top results from those within the club.

“They’re used to this weather. The out-of-towners will struggle,” he said.

“I think all our riders will have a fair chance, they know where all the sweet spots are, so there’s definitely a homeground advantage there.”

Spectators’ entry is free.