NQ pair will duel world
ONE’S in the infancy of his international career while the other is reigniting his.
Townsville BMX riders Craig Cullen and Hunter Boschen will compete at the UCI BMX World Titles in South Carolina later this month with points to prove.
Nine- year- old Boschen’s mother, Shannan, is from the US and her son will meet many of his relatives for the first time when they watch him race the Rock Hill circuit.
Cullen, 36, hasn’t raced in the world titles since 2009 and after finishing seventh last time at this level, he’s hopeful of securing a podium finish.
Cullen will ride the 35 and over men’s 20- inch and 35- 39 men’s cruiser divisions.
“This is my fourth world titles, the last one I went to I finished seventh,” Cullen said.
“I got second at the national titles this year, so I’d love to get on the podium at the worlds.
“I’ve been working on my start pretty consistently the last month, it’s half the battle. Mine have let me down in the past but I have been working on them quite a lot with some members of the local club here.
“I’m expecting the course to be very fast and technical. I’ll be racing some tracks in California which will be good preparation for the Rock Hill track.”
Cullen said the introduction of the sport into the Olympics had helped attract more youngsters like Boschen to the sport.
“It’s good the sport receives the recognition it deserves. I’ve been doing it for 31 years now and now it’s an Olympic sport,” Cullen said.
“We’ve been getting a lot of kids who have been playing football and have all these dreams of winning an Olympic medal – you can actually do it now.”
Hunter’s mother said the event would double as a virtual family reunion.
“I’m from Michigan but we’ve got 22 family members from across the nation coming to watch the race,” Shannan said. “They’ve not met Hunter. He was there once when he was eighth months old but it will be his cousin, aunts and uncles who live in the south and grandparents who live in Florida coming.
“It will be better when they’ll be watching with their Australian flags.”
The talented duo weren’t the only local riders to impress at the nationals with Keely Munro, Matthew and Lucas Brady, Dan Morice, Heidi Farman, Logan Williamson, Isaac McKeown, Ryan and Terry Gniatkiewicz and Harrison Lowe all representing the Townsville BMX Club with pride.
The Townsville club, which has recently had its track corners covered in concrete, will host the BMX Queensland state titles from September 18 to 24.