BMX rider seeking gain over pain
LUKE KIRKEBY
North Island BMX champion Dion Newth certainly won’t be out for blood during the world championships next month.
Newth holds the North Island title in the Cruiser 40-44 age group category and is set to compete in the 2018 UCI BMX World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan from June 5-9.
Unlike the 2017 competition, where he crashed in the quarter final which left a nasty scar on his arm as a reminder, this time he’s aiming for no tumbles.
‘‘This year I am in the older age category for 45 to 49 year olds so I will essentially be racing people I have never raced before,’’ he said.
‘‘Because I crashed last year in the quarterfinal I have set myself a goal to improve this year. I want to make it into the top 10.’’
‘‘Theoretically because it is an older class it should be easier and I have just got a new bike which should help but like all sports you never really know until the day,’’ he said.
Working full time at South Waikato Precision Engineering means he’s been making the most of his spare time training.
‘‘I am coming into the worlds more experienced from last year and have been aligning myself in my training with a lot of younger athletes who are fast young guys,’’ he said.
‘‘Also as we’re getting into winter I have essentially been having to chase fine weather so I’ve been using tracks in Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Rotorua which is my club, and a couple up in Auckland so I am well prepped.’’
Newth, who is the only New Zealander competing in the category, has also been riding with a national coach.
‘‘They give us a lot of mental preparation and visualisation as well,’’ he said.
As for his competition, he’s been keeping a close eye on them too.
He thanked Supersports for providing him with a grant so he can compete.