BikeNZ press release

UCI BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – DAY TWO SESSION TWO

CRUISER CLASS

American Michael Gonzales and Robin Van der Kolk of the Netherlands completed a double at the UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand tonight.

The pair won their second titles of the meeting in front of a packed Vector Arena on their Cruiser bikes in less than 24 hours when they won the 13-14 boy’s and 17-24 year’s class respectively.

On Wednesday night Gonzales won the 14 years boy’s class for 20 inch bikes and Van der Kolk was also victorious on his smaller bike in the 17-24 division.

For both riders it was the first time they have won two world titles at the same meeting, a rare feat.

Van der Kolk went through the day unbeaten and won despite getting a bad start.

Netherlands also picked up titles with Dorus Brink in the 30-34 years class and Rick Van Den Dikkenberg who reversed his runner up position to Aucklander Adam Coker in the 25-29 division from the previous night.

The USA also won with Austin Reid in the 12 and under boy’s division and Carly Dyar in the Women’s 17-29 class. “I’m pretty happy. I got a good gate and then I was on a roll.”

Vanessa Quin of Tauranga, the World Downhill Mountain bike champion from 2004, won the 30 years and Over Women’s Cruiser class, one of four Kiwis to stand on the top of the podium.

Dave Mohi (Rotorua) scored a point for “old school” BMXers when he won the 40-44 years class using “flat” pedals without clip in shoes. He still powered away from the field to repeat the win he took at South Africa in 2010.

Steven Schimanski went two places better than the third he claimed at Adelaide in 2009 when he won the 35 -39 years Cruiser class. “That’s the hardest race I’ve had in 30 years in the sport,” said Schimanski who had to come from behind to win.

The other local success went to Tahlia Hansen in the 16 and Under Girl’s event.

Riders from England, Colombia also won World titles last night.

For Gary Morgan of England who won the 45 years and over class – the most senior in the programme – it’s time to retire. “That’s my fourth title, I’m as happy as. I said if I won I’d retire, I’m 47 so that’s it.”

Juan Carlos Diaz Serna doubled Colombia’s title haul for the meeting when he won the 15-16 boys Cruiser.

At the completion of the challenge class racing last night New Zealand had taken 12 World Titles, with Australia and the United States both winning six, and the Netherlands four.

The championships continue into the weekend with time trial events for the Elite Men and Women and the Junior (17 and 18 year olds) Men and Women from 1pm on Saturday, with racing for all four classes on Sunday from 10am.

Tomorrow (Friday) the track will be converted from its current set up as used by all the challenge classes, to an 8 metres high start gate and bigger jumps for the elite competition.

Results: UCI World Championships cruisers