Cycling: Kiwi BMX stars shine at international pro event

Sarah Walker of Rotorua (centre) leads in the first turn during the Elite Womens Final. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand BMX cycling stars Sarah Walker and Marc Willers made it a double-double celebration when they took out the finals of the international meet at Pukekohe yesterday.

After winning the finals of the UCI Oceania continental championship on Saturday, the pair completed a successful weekend in winning yesterday's professional event involving leading riders from Australia and the United States at the Supercross track in Puni, near Pukekohe.

The 22-year-old Walker won all three motos and the final to complete an unbeaten weekend in her first competitive racing for five months.

"I tried to be aggressive and really concentrate on my own race and on my own game plan," Walker said. "While I have practised hard on and off the bike, you don't know how you will go until you get out and race.

"Now I am looking forward to the first World Cup Supercross in South Africa. This weekend has been a good boost for my confidence."

The 25-year-old Willers, rated among the top five riders in theworld this year, also showed hisclass.

After winning all three motos, Willers was drawn between leading Americans Nic Long and Dave Herman and New Zealander Kurt Pickard, who beat the Cambridge rider at the nationals on the same track last year.

"I am happy to come home and get the two wins. It's been a good start to the season and now I head back tonight to prepare for the next round of the American championship and then on to South Africa," said Willers, who is based in Southern California.

Pickard, who has been added to the squad to compete in South Africa, finished second ahead of American Corben Sharrah.

Pukekohe rider Trent Woodcock-Takarua topped the qualifiers and won the final to win the junior men's division from Saturday's winner Daniel Franks, of Christchurch.

- NZPA