Riders soar on the world stage

Lachlan Stevens-McNab on the big screen at the UCI BMX World Championships in Belgium after coming second in the boys 11 years final race. Photo / Supplied

Rotorua BMX riders have soared to international heights at the UCI BMX World Championships.

The five-day competition in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium is underway and has thousands of riders taking part.

Two Rotorua BMX Club riders took out a podium finish in Tuesday's races with Wyatt Stevens-McNab second in the boys 9 years age group final and his brother Lachlan Stevens-McNab second in the 11 years age group final.

Fellow club members Megan Willams placed fourth in the 11 years girls with Sterling Stevens-McNab and Jaime Davis competing in the qualifying rounds.

Rotorua BMX Club president Melanie Short said the results for all the local racers were something to be proud of.

"Absolutely, there is over 3000 riders at the world champs this year and the age groups, 8, 9, 10, 11 riders are the most popular groups to ride. So for all of them this is a phenomenal result and to have three world ranked riders in our club is really exciting." Mrs Short said.

"I have seen the effort these guys have put in, they haven't stopped. Normally over winter things quiet down but all of them have trained very hard and deserve to be there."

Mrs Short said each of these riders shared key characteristics that have contributed to their success on the world stage.

"They definitely have determination, they're very committed and have continued with their training in the wintery days we have had, it's phenomenal."

Family support was also important, Mrs Short said.

"The Stevens-McNabs have all three boys riding - all these riders have a very great support network as well as from the club. It's really inspiring for the new kids coming along, it's like having BMX royalty here but also, they're just normal 9, 10, 11-year-old kids."

Challenge categories for the UCI BMX World Championships will run through to today before the elite competition begins tomorrow. The seven-strong New Zealand elite team is led by Kawerau's Sarah Walker.

The elite riders compete in time trials and eliminations before Sunday's grand finals.