KEY POINTS:
By the first corner, Sarah Walker was in control.
The world champion is usually in control these day and that's one of the reasons she will be among the favourites at this year's Olympics.
She dominated the first round of the BMX Oceania ranking series at North Harbour, with the 20-year-old from Kawerau easily winning yesterday's final. A win in today's second round will assure her of the Oceania championship and a spot at Beijing.
Compatriot Marc Willers had a tougher time, finishing sixth in a physical final won by Australian Jared Graves, although he still leads the Oceania series.
Walker won her opening two motos to qualify for the straight final with six Australians and New Zealand junior Victoria Hill of New Plymouth.
The cruiser world champion was best out of the gate in the final and in front by the first corner, before clearing out for the win ahead of Australians Melissa Mankowski and Krystal Cranfield, currently third in the Oceania rankings.
"That was really good. I was quite nervous for the final," Walker said. "It always adds some pressure racing in front of a home crowd but it's good to have the support, too.
"I've picked up a cold this week but I was quite pleased with my racing [yesterday]. The track at North Harbour is steep off the start and so it is less of a strength track. That means the racing is always much closer.
"I got a good start in the final and just had to keep the speed up. I've got six wins and a second in the series so if I can pick up a win [today], that will mean I have the perfect record and will wrap up the Oceania title."
Willers, who finished second in the SuperCross event in Spain last weekend, also won two of his motos and was impressive in winning his semifinal ahead of Graves. But Willers, who drew the unfavoured outside gate, was slow out of the start and was pushed wide on the first corner.
Graves shot to the lead from Australians Luke Madill and Brian Kirkham, as Willers made ground.
With Graves clear in the lead, Willers pushed up to Kirkham and Madill but was forced wide, losing grip on his bars and eventually settling for sixth.
"That was not good," Willers said. "I made a mistake at the start. I just missed it. I knew that first had pretty much gone but I did manage to get back despite being hung out on the first corner. I was chasing down Luke and pushed hard but got cut off and just managed to stay on. I am going to be pretty focused to make amends. I'm going to be a pretty angry rider [today]."
