THE
DIRT JULY 2016
Talented bunch help BMXA Family to
MASSIVE MEDAL HAUL IN COLOMBIA
Cover pic by Jerry Landrum/BMXMania.com
2016 Calendar JANUARY
31st: Oceania BMX Championships, Continental Championships, Auckland (New Zealand) 6th - 7th: National Series Rounds 5 &6 | National Sign On Day
FEBRUARY 13th - 14th: National Sign On Day 21st-22nd: National Sign On Day
MARCH 1st - 7th: National Championships 25th-26th: UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, Santiago del Estero (Argentina)
APRIL 9th - 10th: UCI BMX Supercorss World Cup: Manchester (Great Britain) 30th: Australian Capital Territory State Titles
MAY
7th - 8th: UCI BMX Supercross World Cup: Papendal (Netherlands) 25th - 29th: UCI BMX World Championships: Medellin (Colombia)
JUNE JULY AUGUST 5th - 21st: Games of the XXXI Olympiad: Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
SEPTEMBER 19th - 25th: Queensland State Titles 24th - 25th: UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, Rock Hill (USA)
OCTOBER 1st-2nd: New South Wales State Titles 5th - 8th: Northern Territory State Titles 8th-9th: UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, Sarasota (USA)
NOVEMBER 12th - 16th: South Australian State Titles 18th - 20th: Victorian State Titles
DECEMBER PAGE | 2
Contents From the President............................4 International rider policy UDATE....................................................6 Meet the NEW CEO...........................8 COVER STORY - Massive medal haul in Colombia..............................10 Worlds honour roll..... .....................14 You need to know Oskar Creighton & Aidan Tillotson..... .......................................20
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From the President New leadership, new series + more What a busy few months we have had at BMX Australia and what exciting times lie ahead. In the office, Martin Shaw has begun work as our new CEO and is settling into the role nicely. Martin joins the BMXA family after stints with Archery Australia, Fiji Cricket and Football Federation Tasmania and has vast CEO experience. The Board of BMXA is really excited to begin working with Martin and collectively we have a great thirst for continuing to grow our membership base and engaging with members present, past and those that are potentially members of our great organisation. I am sure many of our stakeholders will get to know Martin in the coming months and especially as we head into our national competition phase in the New Year. On competition, the revamped competition structure is another great sense of excitement for all of us. The inception of the Grands Assault series, which in the first year will be run alongside the UCI points based National Series, is going to provide more top level competition for more riders around the country. The Grands Assault will grow year on year and become a truly national series that each state can utilise to give more competitors a taste of riding against interstate competitors. It will be more affordable for clubs to run and boost participation. If the interest is there we plan to eventually expand the number of classes available for our riders and the sky is the limit on how strong the Grands Assault becomes as a national series of races. It really is up to the BMX community to PAGE | 4
decide how far this goes. The good thing is we are not locked into a strict structure and can invest more in what works and less in what is not effective for our members. It would be remiss of me not to mention two other points in this edition. Firstly I’d like to congratulate all of the riders and families that represented Australia at the BMX World Championships in Medellin. While the wonderful results we produced on the track have been well documented, it is the way our group represented us and our country off the track that was just as impressive and I applaud you all. Finally, to the Olympics and our five riders that will compete on sport’s biggest stage. Congratulations to Sam, Anthony, Bodi, Caroline and Lauren for making it to the holy grail of our sport and from myself, the BMXA Board and all of our members I wish you the best of luck and the safest of competitions. We are proud of you all and cannot wait to cheer you on!
Yours in the sport of BMX Barry Knight BMXA President
OUT - AUGUST 17, 2016
Policy Update
Bicycle Motocross Australia Incorporated INTERNATIONAL RIDER POLICY BMX BMX Australia International Rider Policy – 6 January 2015 Version 1.0 (Review Date 06 01 2017)
PREFACE BMX Australia aims to encourage and promote riders from around the world to compete in Australia. The purpose of this policy is to provide a document that contains relevant information and guidance for international riders wishing to compete in Australia at BMX sanctioned events 1. Objective To provide options and eligibility requirements, including insurance requirements, for international riders wishing to compete in BMX sanctioned events within Australia. 2. Policy and Procedure New Zealand license holders BMX Australia has a reciprocal agreement with BMX New Zealand which allows any rider with a current BMX New Zealand license to enter an event in Australia (excluding National Championships as per UCI regulations). Essentially, BMX Australia recognises their membership with a club in New Zealand and allows the rider to compete in Australia on that license. PAGE | 6
Other countries (including USA) Currently, there are no reciprocal agreements in place with any other country. As such the following requirements are in place: Challenge Riders • International riders competing in a Challenge class are required to purchase a BMX Australia 4 month membership. • Provide a copy of their current BMX license in their respective country. • Complete the relevant entry forms for that event including any entry fees payable. • Entry to an event requires the rider to adhere to the requirements of the event, including the rider’s behaviour and code of conduct. • Riders compete under the provisions of the regulations specified in the event instructions. Championship Riders • International riders competing in Championship classes (events run under UCI regulations) are required to provide proof of their current UCI International license. • Complete the relevant entry forms for that event. • Entry to an event requires the rider to adhere to the requirements of the event, including therider’s behaviour and code of conduct. • Riders compete under the provisions of the regulations specified in the event instructions. Any rider who does not present either a UCI international license or a license issued by their respective national federation will not be permitted to enter a sanctioned BMX event conducted within Australia. Insurance All international riders competing in Australia are strongly encouraged to have obtained their own travel insurance from their country of origin which includes competition coverage. All UCI international license holders will have insurance as this is a requirement of the respective national federation who produced the license.
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Meet Martin Shaw We meet the new BMXA CEO About Town A fresh set of eyes is in place at BMX Australia with Martin Shaw taking the reigns as CEO in early July. While he may be new to the sport, his experience in sports administration isn’t lacking after stints with Archery Australia, Fiji Cricket, Football Federation Tasmania and Equestrian Western Australia, among others. We spent some time getting to know the new boss and quickly discovered that he sees untapped potential in our sport. It’s safe to say, the future looks bright. Welcome Martin Shaw! Question: What’s your sporting background? Martin Shaw: I’ve been working in sport administration for more than 20 years, across a range of sports and bring a wide and varied background at management level. On a personal level I grew up playing soccer. That was my main sport; I was also involved with baseball, basketball and touch football. There isn’t much BMX, but it is nice to be involved with a new sport and see how things work. Q: Have you always been involved in sports? MS: I’ve never done anything other than sports. My original studies saw me undertake an economics and law degree, but that wasn’t the way for me so I went to the University of Canberra to PAGE | 8
do a sports administration degree. Now I have worked in sports for all but five months, and during that time I was helping a family related business in Nisiko, Japan. Q. You come from Archery Australia, what was your time like there? MS: It was good to be working with a national association, they have gone through a period of growth over the past few years and what they have done with IT and membership is great. It also strengthened my relations with the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport and I had a good insight into what they were doing in the lead up to Rio.
Q: What’s your experience watching BMX? MS: I haven’t seen a whole lot and like many Australians it is one of those sports that comes up every four years or so, but what I have seen is very exciting! It’s not hard to understand why kids love it, especially when they get in and just have a go. There are a few bumps along the way, but they don’t mind. Freestyle is also very impressive. Q: What do you think of BMX? MS: It’s very exciting, there is high action and energy and is a very young sport, which holds an appeal for younger people who don’t necessarily want to be involved with a team, but want to ride their bikes and have good participation. It seems very much a lifestyle decision and sport and isn’t constrained by historical structures. In comparison to other sports it is agile and nimble and there is great stuff on the horizon. Q: We possibly have THE most passionate supporter base in Australia, which must excite you coming into this role. MS: Definitely. Australians love their sport and it is great to have so much passion from our members. As much as we promote the professionals we need to realise that the club level is the most important. We rely on volunteers to run clubs and officiate, we rely on mum and dad to support their kids and we want the kids to love being on their bike and being a part of it all. We equally want a high level of competition where people are passionate about world championships and Olympics, winning medals and having the passion to be out there. We need to harness all of this and use it to develop the sport.
ticipation for the kids, mum and dad. So when you have that feeling and passion in the sport, there is no reason to say that 20,000 members is where we will stop. Q: A tough question so early on, but what do you hope to achieve in this sport? MS: Any time you go into a role as a CEO your outlook has to be that we are going to grow the sport, all areas of the sport. We can’t just focus on high performance, which is what everyone already knows about. We want to keep producing riders of a high calibre, but we need to keep the membership drive going, support clubs and have them feel that they are supported by BMXA. The need to feel we are helping them do things; we need to be building and ensuring that everyone is working together. As a national body we will help and support and make things easier where we can. We also need to support the appointment of new coaches and officials and use smart technology to help them and volunteers do their jobs correctly. Q: What do you think the members will expect from you? MS: I think they need someone to be looking at the strategic direction the sport needs to take to maximise its potential. I will also need to work with the board, management and state associations and clubs to reach our strategic potential. Overall it’s an interesting role and it is looking at the big picture in equal measure to looking at the operational drivers who will make our strategy a success.
Q. BMX is a relatively young sport, and has plenty of growth potential. What is your take on the future direction of the sport? MS: From discussions I have had so far, the sky really is the limit for this sport. There has been growth over the past few years and it shows a true passion for BMX, people really want to be a part of it. What I like is that we are a sport that has already made the conscious decision that it caters for everyone and the real engine of the sport is parPAGE | 9
UCI BMX World Championships Talented bunch help BMXA Family to
MASSIVE MEDAL HAUL Five days, 80 Australian’s, 33 Australian clubs and two testing BMX tracks saw our BMXA Family 18 medals from the 2016 UCI BMX World Championships in Medellin, Colombia. While there were some extreme highs – our team came home with six gold, nine silver and three bronze medals as well as a further 18 finalists – there were some lows too with some of our more heralded riders crashing out before the finals. PAGE | 10
But one thing for sure is the crop of talented youngsters wearing the Green & Gold should leave us all heartened for the future of top line competitors from Australia. In the Challenge Class age groups Australia won gold via Portia Eden (9yrs girl’s), Thomas Tucker (11yrs boy’s), Tyson Kenny (12yrs boy’s) as well as 14yrs girl’s winner Des’Ree Barnes. It rained silver and bronze too with five silver medallists and three bronze medallists in the ages from 16 and below. Checkout our honour roll to see the full list. Tucker and Barnes are standouts – the former winning his fourth world title on the trot whilst the prodigious Barnes her second straight title and fifth in here burgeoning career. Tucker was sensational in his event, streaking the field in the
my fourth world title in a row!” In the 12-years boy’s Kenny returned to win yet again, backing up his victory from the 2015 world titles in Zolder, Belgium, while an elated Eden turned a bronze from 2015 into gold in 2016, crediting the win to the way she rode the jumps in the final. Reading more like a roll call of achievements rather than a handful of highlights, Barnes’ result in Colombia adds to her undefeated national series, national championship and Grands Challenge victories from earlier in 2016. The Queenslander was also a recipient of a Buchanan Next Gen scholarship that assisted her financially to travel to the world championships, and thanked Caroline Buchanan and her family for their support. “First of all I need to thank my parents and Caroline for their support,” a delighted Barnes
L IN COLOMBIA final to again claim the world crown, a result he said was set up off the starting gate.
said.
“I had a great start and took control from there. My gate, my first jump and being able to make my lap flow, my whole race was really strong,” Tucker said.
“I had a good start out of the gate in my final today and a strong second straight. The lap was smooth and really felt good from start to finish. It feels really good to win, amazing to have five world titles and today making it two in a row.”
“It’s unbelievable that I was able to accomplish another win,
Caroline Buchanan was as consistent as ever, the shining light
for the Australian elite contingent. The US-based rider claiming the elite women’s time trial before grabbing a second straight silver in the main event – this time behind hometown heroine Mariana Pajon. Buchanan called it her most successful world championships, setting up what could be a golden trip to Rio in August. “It was my best overall result from a world title,” Buchanan said. “To come away with two podiums in a weekend with the time trial gold and silver in the main. I’m really happy to walk away with that.” Melinda McLeod was Australia’s next best elite rider, qualifying for the women’s final, whilst Andrew Hughes (junior elite) and Sam Willoughby both won silver medals in their respective time trials. Perhaps Australia’s most popular victory however was veteran Brett Scruse who led from start to finish to snare a wonderful victory in the men’s 45+ cruiser event in what was the last race of his career. The part-time BMX coach has now won two titles in five attempts at the BMX world championships. “I was able to lead from start to finish but there was a touch and go moment in the second corner with the American rider,” the effervescent Scruse said.
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“It’s a feeling of relief more than anything, to win in my last race before retiring. It’s been a long 35 years.”
Honour Roll 2016 uci bmx world Championships Five days, 80 Australian’s, 33 Australian clubs and two testing BMX tracks, that was the story of the 2016 UCI BMX World Championships, and for the Aussies there was a mix of highs and lows. Inevitably as a nation, Australia went home with six gold, nine silver and three bronze medals as well as a further 18 finalists, an outstanding display.
World Champions Portia Eden - #W1, 9-year’s girl’s, Cairns BMX Club, QLD Thomas Tucker - #W1, 11-years boy’s, Pine Rivers BMX Club, QLD Tyson Kenny - #W1, 12-year’s boy’s, Nerang BMX Club, QLD Des’Ree Barnes - #W1, 14-years girl’s, Beenleigh BMX Club, QLD Brett Scruse - #W1, 45+ men’s Cruisers, Manly Warringah BMX Club, NSW Caroline Buchanan - #W1, Elite women’s time trial, Tuggeranong BMX Club, ACT
Silver Medallists Bailey Mills - #W2, 8-years boy’s, Bayside BMX Club, QLD Vada Botfield - #W2, 8-years girl’s, Pine Rivers BMX Club, QLD Sacha Mills - #W2, 10-years girl’s, Bayside BMX Club, QLD Molly McGill - #W2, 15-years girl’s, Ashmore BMX Club, QLD Nathaniel Rodway - #W2, 16-years boy’s, Lake Macquarie BMX Club, NSW Lacey Oliver - #W2, 17+ women, Nerang BMX Club, QLD Andrew Hughes - #W2, Junior elite men’s time trial, LMX Bicycle Supercross, NSW Sam Willoughby - #W2, Elite men’s time trial, Happy Valley BMX Club, SA Caroline Buchanan - #W2, Elite women, Tuggeranong BMX Club, ACT PAGE | 14
Bronze Medallists Oskar Creighton – #W3, 5 & 6-years boy’s, Ashmore BMX Club, QLD Aiden Tillotson - #W3, 7-years boy’s, Ashmore BMX Club, QLD Lorsyn Affoo - #W3, 15-years girl’s, Pine Rivers BMX Club, QLD
Finalists Valencia Stevis - #W4, 9-years girl’s, Sydney BMX Club, NSW Callum Howarth - #W4, 11-years boy’s, Ashmore BMX Club, QLD Jesse Asmus - #W5, 13-years boy’s, Nerang BMX Club, QLD Julia Botfield - #W5, 30+ women’s Cruiser, Pine Rivers BMX Club, QLD Joshua Boyton - #W5, Junior elite men’s time trial, Centenary Plains BMX Club, QLD Lauren Reynolds - #W5, Elite women’s time trial, Bunbury BMX Club, WA Thomas Tucker - #W6, 12&U boy’s Cruiser, Pine Rivers BMX Club, QLD Melanie Gibson - #W6, 30+ women’s Cruiser, Sydney BMX Club, NSW Jye Hombsch - #W6, Junior elite men, Redlands BMX Club, QLD Kye Affoo - #W7, 16-years boy’s, Pine Rivers BMX Club, QLD Sandy Cameron - #W7, 30+ women’s Cruiser, Penrith BMX Club, NSW Mikayla Perkins - #W8, 13-years girl’s, Jingili BMX Club, NT Brad Shaylor - #W8, 15-years boy’s, LMX Bicycle Supercross, NSW Danielle Lawrence - #W8, 30+ women’s Cruiser, Jingili BMX Club, NT Jye Hombsch - #W8, Junior elite men’s time trial, Redlands BMX Club, QLD Anthony Dean – #W8, Elite men’s time trial, Cross Keys BMX Club, SA Melinda McLeod - #W8, Elite women, Nerang BMX Club, QLD Melinda McLeod - #W15, Elite women’s time trial, Nerang BMX Club, QLD
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ceive their first BMX bike. For young Queenslanders Oskar Creighton and Aidan Tillotson from Ashmore BMX Club, their BMX journey is still in its infancy. Both Oskar and Aiden represent the future of the sport. Like Willoughby and Dean, before them, these two youngsters are mates, competitors and two kids who love nothing more than to pick up speed on their bikes. It’s a lifestyle sport as much as it is a competitive one.
L-R: Oskar Creighton & Aidan Tillotson
Like many young competitors their age, Oskar and Aiden already have their sights set on the top level of the sport, training for the 2028 or (more likely) 2032 Olympic Games can nev-
You Need to Know Oskar Creighton & Aidan Tillotson When August 17, 2016 rolls around, there will be two young Australian’s hoping to put their best foot forward in Rio and win Australia medals at the Olympic Games, preferably gold and silver. They both want gold, but would happily settle for either colour if it meant sharing the dais with a mate. Those two young men are South Australians Sam Willoughby and Anthony Dean, pro BMX racer’s who live near each other and have a lifestyle that many strive for, only some achieve and many envy. But their journey to BMX stardom began when their age was recorded with a single digit, and when weeknights at Happy Valley BMX Club in South Australia meant more than an Olympic contest ever could. Life in the BMX Australia family begins early; it did for Willoughby and Dean, and does so every year for the thousands of children who rePAGE | 16
er begin early enough. But until their time at the world’s largest multisport event arrives, both are able to focus on competing at the UCI BMX World Championships, something they did together for the first time this year, both riding to third place in the world. It’s an impressive feat for anyone, let alone two kids still mastering the time’s tables. Now 6-years-old, Oskar was off training wheels at just 20 months and not long after spent his spare time riding his bike in the backyard and at the BMX track. While his father Peter had spent time on a road bike, no one in the family had ventured into BMX until Oskar came along, and it’s a journey Peter says has taken the family by surprise. “This sport has blown our minds. It’s great to have a sport that has competition in Australia
and around the world. It’s fantastic that there are so many kids that love being a part of it too,” Creighton said. “I think we knew Oskar had some talent early on, but we honestly didn’t think it would get to the world stage. We just got involved because he loves bikes and the sport. “BMX is a huge commitment. Even at this age I am at the track with Oskar two nights a week. You need money for the clothes and all the rest of it. But it is great for kids to do things like this.” The story of significant commitment of both time and finances in almost equal measure in the Creighton household echoes that down the road under the roof of the Tillotson’s. Aidan is just one-year Oskar’s senior; he’s a mate and something of a mentor. It’s not uncommon among these young riders to encourage each other to be their best says Aidan’s mother, Michelle Tillotson. “When Aidan started he was quickly befriended by Tyson and Ashton Kenny, they were great at helping him out. He was quickly part of ‘the crew’ and they all get out and ride together,” Tillotson said. “There were just 11 short months between Aidan’s training wheels coming off and his first world championships last year in Zolder, Belgium. He won and then backed it up with a third place in Colombia this year. It’s been breathtaking to see him progress. He’s a natural. “BMX is a big commitment for us, it’s our family time, these trips are our holidays, like they are for everyone involved, although taking our bikes is the added bonus.” As far away as the Willoughby and Dean lifestyle of a pro BMX rider may be for Aidan and Oskar, the foundations of travelling the world, meeting new people and supporting your mates are already firmly in place, all you need to do is ask Aidan about his time at the recent world titles in Colombia. “I had fun in Colombia, I met new friends – one got world number 8!
Then my friend Oskar got world number three, Tommy and Joseph Tucker were there and another new friend from Colombia did well too,” an excited Tillotson said. “I train really hard every week and like riding with Oskar too! He’s good at everything I can do like jumps, manualling and pumping. He’s also a good sprinter.” Equally full of praise is Oskar, a young man of few words who undoubtedly leaves the majority of his talking to be done on the track, but was equally complimentary of Aidan. “Aidan is a great rider too, I look up to him. He’s fast and really nice,” Oskar said. “I like BMX, it’s fun and it was good to get on the podium in Colombia this year. I love racing at Ashmore too. “I’m a fan of riders like Sam Willoughby and Bodi Turner too. When I grow up I want to be a BMX rider, I want to be a pro.” There’s little doubt that both Oskar Creighton and Aidan Tillotson are putting themselves on the right path to one day riding pro.
THE
DIRT JULY 2016