Ex-Northlander hot prospect

A former Northland BMX rider has impressed BikeNZ's BMX coach after being the best of the New Zealand riders at the Oceania BMX Championships in Brisbane.

Trent Jones, now of North Canterbury, impressed with his seventh overall placing in the elite men's grade amongst a field packed with class.

"Trent [Jones] is an outstanding prospect," said BikeNZ BMX coach Ryan Hollows after Thursday night's performance.

"[He has] raced well but was slightly disappointed with seventh in the final, although he drew a bad gate.

"This was a good opportunity for racing experience.

"The riders are all in a heavy training phase so we were not expecting too much."

The 19-year-old Jones, from Kaiapoi, won his opening heat, with a sixth and third placings in the other two races qualifying him for the semifinals, where he finished third.

The elite men's grade was won by US-based Australian Sam Willoughby, an early favourites for the world championships in Auckland which several Northlanders are competing at - was in a class of his own.

He was fastest in the time trial qualifying, and won all three motos, his semifinal and final to set the benchmark.