Canadian
Cycling Association - Victoria hosts
BMX
World Championships
The World BMX Championships cycling competition scheduled
for July 26-29 in Victoria will feature more than 2,000
riders from 39 countries. The competition promises to be
a sneak preview for the event’s Olympic debut next
year in Beijing.
The 2007 worlds is a big points producer for the international
rankings therefore the best in the event are expected to
compete. ‘’The medal hopefuls for Victoria will
be the same medal hopefuls for Beijing,’’ said
Marischal De Armond, the BMX Worlds General Manager.
Defending champions Javier Colombo of Argentina and
Willy Kanis of the Netherlands are in Victoria to
defend their titles. Michael Day of the U.S., runner-up
in 2005 and 2006 is Colombo’s biggest threat in men’s
competition. Willy can expect a tough challenge from Gabriela
Diaz of Argentina in the women’s race. Diaz won
the world title in 2001, 2002 and 2004 and was runner-up
last year.
Samantha Cools of Alberta is Canada’s top medal
threat and is currently ranked fifth in the world. She is
fully recovered from a concussion suffered at the national
championships a month ago in Bromont, Que. At last year’s
worlds, her chain broke right at the start. ‘’It
was very disappointing,’’ she recalled.
Christine Miller of Alberta and Danielle Brisson
of B.C., are other Canadian entries in the women’s
elite competition. Headlining the men’s elite team
are Scott Erwood and Nick Goertzen of B.C.,
and Patrick Lebel of Alberta.
The Challenge Category for riders aged 5 to 55
A distinctive feature at the BMX Worlds is Challenge Category
races. More than 1,500 entries aged five to 55 will also
compete on the Juan de Fuca track.
Competition starts Thursday with the opening races in the
Challenge Category. The Elite races are scheduled for Saturday.
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