BMX: Willers through to elimination racing

New Zealand BMX star Marc Willers is safely through to tomorrow's elimination racing at the UCI Supercross World Cup in the Netherlands.

Willers finished 17th fastest in the qualifying time trials at the Papendal track today, and will get the chance to defend the title he won there last year.

The Californian-based rider clocked 40.268s for the time trial run, but will be more competitive in racing tomorrow.

Fellow BikeNZ rider Matt Cameron (New Plymouth) has earned his first start in the elimination competition, finishing 40th in the time trials while junior elite riders Nic Fox (Gisborne) and Daniel Franks (Christchurch) narrowly missed out after solid runs on the challenging track.

Taranaki's Victoria Hill qualified in her first start in a World Cup Supercross, finishing 24th fastest in a solid 43.398.

American Connor Fields took out his fourth straight super time trial title of the year with an impressive run in 38.979 ahead of Beijing gold medallist Maris Strombergs (Latvia).

In-form Australian Caroline Buchanan took out the elite women's super time trial final, her third straight time in Supercross racing this year.

Riders compete in three qualifying motos tomorrow before quarter-finals, semis and final.

Results, qualifying, UCI BMX Supercross Round 3, Papendal:

Elite men: Connor Fields (USA) 38.979, 1; Maris Strombergs (LAT) 39.176, 2; Twan van Gendt (NED) 39.359, 3. Also NZers: Marc Willers 40.268, 17; Matt Cameron 41.209, 40; Nic Fox 42.3448, 74; Daniel Franks 42.655, 78.

Elite women: Caroline Buchanan 39.236, 1; Alise Post (USA) 39.889, 2; Manon Valentino (FRA) 41.104, 3. Also: Victoria Hill (NZL) 43.398, 24.