BMX: Kiwis make semis in season finale

Trent Jones and Sarah Walker (pictured) closed their BMX season with more encouraging form.

Trent Jones and Sarah Walker closed their season with more encouraging form, with both making semifinals at the final round of the UCI BMX World Cup Supercross in South Carolina yesterday.

Both had been in impressive form at the new Rock Hill circuit, although riders had to cope with light rain throughout yesterday's racing.

Walker, who injured her back after a fall in training earlier in the week, was impressive in yesterday's elimination motos, recovering from fifth in the first heat to be second in the other two rides behind Australian Caroline Buchanan.

This elevated her directly to the semifinals, where she drew the middle lane. However, she missed the snap out of the gate and with it a chance to reach her first Super Cross final in more than two years.

But it did mark a strong return for Walker, who was among the fastest in training and qualifying and close to being back at the top of the sport.

"A few days ago we did not think she would even be racing, so to come away with a semifinal is excellent," Cycling New Zealand BMX coach Ryan Hollows said. "Sure she missed the gate in the final but overall Sarah is tracking well and her return to the top level of the sport has been impressive."

Jones, 21, from North Canterbury, was one of the fastest riders throughout the competition and was again hugely impressive in the elimination motos, with two wins and a second placing to top his qualifying group.

He was a fraction slow on the snap out of the gate in his semifinal, and then was cut off for the first turn by Australian Anthony Dean. After taking evasive action, Jones was then out of any serious running for a top four placing.