BMX: Second place for Walker in Beijing

New Zealand BMX cruiser world champion Sarah Walker qualified second in the International Cycling Union BMX supercross competition in Beijing today.

Walker (Kawerau), who won the cruiser class and was second in the Olympic division at the world championships last month, finished second in the qualifying runs.

The competitors were having their first look at the course in Laoshan to be used next year in Beijing when the sport makes its Olympic debut.

Walker clocked 37.907 seconds for her faster of two runs in qualifying behind Anne-Caroline Chausson of France, but ahead of Great Britain's Shanaze Read.

Fellow Bike NZ team-mate Marc Willers was 14th fastest in the men's qualifying ahead of today's (NZT) semifinals and final.

- NZPA