Kiwis UCI BMX World Cup double header
- Dave Worsley
- 23 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Nine New Zealander riders are among the record 334 entrants for the UCI BMX Racing World Cup double round at the popular Dutch stronghold of Papendal.
It is the 12th time the iconic venue near Arnhem and the German border has hosted the BMX Racing World Cup, which will provide a different test that last week’s opening two rounds at Sarrians in France.
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The Papendal track has a much longer and wide open first straight with tight corners and big jumps.
The female pair of junior Lily Greenough and Olympian Leila Walker, both from Cambridge, led the kiwi campaign last weekend and both should be better suited to the Papendal track.
Greenough, 17, was superb out of the gate, and the longer and more technical first straight will provide potentially a more beneficial test.
The extra distance should also be a positive opportunity for Walker’s noted race craft as she slowly returns to elite racing after injury kept her off the bike until two weeks ago.
Both elite men, Michael Bias and Rico Bearman went out in the quarterfinals on both days, and both will be looking for improvement at Papendal, as will fellow elite rider Megan Williams from Rotorua.
Finn Cogan was impressive in the U23 Men at Sarrians making it through to the second round after he was on the podium in the French Cup on the same track in Junior Men the previous weekend.
Fellow Cambridge rider, Jack Greenough qualified as he battles back from an elbow injury in training.
They are joined by North Harbour’s Cooper Richardson, the best in the junior men on day two at Sarrians, and Nick Cowie (Southland).