Kiwi with a Bias view of world
BMX rider Michael Bias has a battered body and wallet but is determined to make an impression at the world champs, writes Andrew Alderson.
Michael Bias’ world centres around accelerating from zero to 60km/h in 2.5s down an 8m incline using a state-of-the-art bike and a 22-year-old panel-beaten body.
Therein lies the addiction and thrill of BMX racing. Bias revels in the jostle of handlebars and pedals as his crosshairs lock on the race track’s first corner.
“I don’t really keep track of the broken bones. There have been wrists, ribs, my shoulder blade, a kneecap and I’ve strained the ligaments of my AC joint.
“Last year, I had a few in a row which took a toll, but that’s part of the sport. You back yourself. I feel more comfortable on my bike than my feet at times.”
However, there’s no reason to doubt Bias’ control of the handlebars. His handshake could moonlight as the Jaws of Life.
BMX riding requires the ballistic muscle of a sprinter, the balance of a gymnast and Jackass-like fearlessness, particularly in the drop from the start gate. Mental fortitude comes in handy.
“You’ve got seven guys next to you but you’ve got to block them out and back yourself to be faster,” Bias says. “The first few pedals are even, then it comes down to who can commit more. It gets tight at the first jump then spreads out as you pick your line for the first corner.
“Generally if you’re in front, you have right of way. If someone gets half a handlebar ahead, I accept that and move on, because I’d do it to them.
“In a lot of sports, you are in your own lane and can’t interfere with other athletes. In BMX, there are rules, but they are lenient in terms of cutting people off down the start hill.
Bias heads to train in Switzerland this week after contacting world No 9 David Graf to see if he wanted a training partner in the build-up to the world championships at Rock Hill, South Carolina, from July 25-30. The aim is to bridge the gap in intensity from racing in New Zealand to what he will strike in the United States.
Bias is a rare species as a selffunded athlete. Passion and pragmatism intertwine as he pursues his dream to compete on the world stage and, if his results pass muster, the Tokyo Olympics.
He has a loyal family of sponsors, he coaches younger riders, and has benefited from race meetings organised to help him raise funds. His North Harbour club organised a quiz night last year in which local businesses rallied together to get him to his maiden world championships.
“When I finished school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but a lot of kids wanted to get coached. It started with a couple and grew from there. I’m the club coach at Waitakere BMX club, I’m starting at Whangarei every month or two, and I look after 30 kids at my home club. That keeps me busy and provides income.
“I’ve also had support from [former motocross rider] Ben Townley at Troy Lee Designs who provides me with race equipment; the Millennium Institute offered a scholarship to use
their gym and Action Downunder gave me a new Speedco carbon fibre bike. It helps when you’ve got the best equipment and services.”
Bias began riding when he was three at the Ranui track, following a brother 18 months his senior. His parents encouraged him to have fun, and wouldn’t force him to do anything.
As a result of that support, Bias is determined to pass the baton, despite racing in the elite ranks.
“When I was younger, you would witness good pros who would talk to kids, and others who thought they were too cool.
“I still enjoy going to race nights. I don’t think I’ve missed a club night when I’ve been home.”
Bias’ journey has also endured obstacles. He took a case for world championship inclusion to the Sports Tribunal in July 2015 but was unsuccessful.
“The world championships is the one event each year which you have to be selected for, that makes it a privilege. I just wanted to prove my point and take it further to say I wasn’t going to give up easily.”
Astraw poll of BMX word association conducted for this story echoed one name: Sarah Walker. Walker gave the sport oxygen at the 2012 Olympics when she earned silver, the country’s maiden medal in the discipline. She had already impressed with fourth on BMX’s debut at the Beijing Games four years earlier.
Bias will join Walker, Rebecca Petch, Trent Jones, Nick Fox and Cole McOnie as part of New Zealand’s elite team at the world championships, and at junior level, Maynard Peel will defend his title from last year. Jones is the best ranked New Zealand rider at 27th, with Bias second at 79th. Bias wants a finish inside the top 32 to fuel his Tokyo ambitions, but anything inside the top-16 finish would be preferable to “open some eyes”.
“I get asked what sport I do and I say ‘BMX’. People look at you like ‘what is that?’ Then you say ‘it’s what Sarah Walker does’ and they automatically nod. Sarah has done a lot for our sport . . . but us younger riders breaking into the scene need to carry that on.”
I don’t keep track of the broken bones. There have been wrists, ribs, a kneecap. Michael Bias