Tokyo target but Whyte’s keen to get back in front of home fans
KYE Whyte is relishing a competitive return to Manchester as he and his Great Britain team-mates continue to battle for places on the plane to Tokyo.
He will be back on his home track for the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup – scene of his first elite global victory last year – which will represent the last chance for British fans to see the world’s best in action before they contest Olympic medals in Japan.
The two-day World Cup, which will take place in Manchester on April 18 and 19, has increased significance for Whyte after his win last year.
“That is still probably the best day I’ve ever had on a bike,” he said. “The crowd were brilliant and obviously we always feel at home on the track in Manchester, and I remember thinking from very early on that if I rode the way I knew I could, I’d have a chance of having a really good day.
“When it actually happened, though, it was incredible.
“As soon as I crossed the line I wanted to get back out in front of the crowd and try to take it all in.
“My family was there as well, and to share a moment like that with them and my team-mates is something I’ll never forget.”
He adds: “While you don’t want the Olympics to take over everything you do, there is no denying that going to Tokyo is a huge target for me, as it is for all of our team and for riders from across the world.”
“Racing in Manchester again will be a special experience. Not just because of what happened last year, but because of the crowd, because of having your family and friends watch you, and because you really get the sense that people are behind you when you’re racing for your country, which is exactly the feeling you want when you’re heading towards an Olympic Games.”
Tickets for the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester are available from ticketmaster.co.uk/britishcycling