Kiwi Willers wins American BMX event

Marc Willers. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand BMX rider Marc Willers has wrapped up an outstanding year in taking out the American BMX Association Grand Nationals final.

Willers won two of the three-race finals at the season-long championship finals at Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The Cambridge rider, now based in southern California, held off his rival and nemesis Sam Willoughby, of Australia, in a closely-fought first final.

Willoughby pushed hard for the lead into the first corner, but cut things too light and fell back. Willers also made a mistake through the pro section and had to be content with fourth.

The pair again pushed clear of the field in the final main race, with Willers stamping his class to grab the lead into the first corner and never relinquishing his grip of the race and the overall title.

"It's been a dream of mine to win this,'' Willers said. "I managed to win the continental title here in North American at the start of the year and have held pretty good form right through.

"This was the big one. I am absolutely stoked. Coming to the USA has always been a goal for me, and the constant tough racing has really helped me improve.

"Now I can take a break and look forward to a huge year with the London Olympics the big goal.''