The state’s best BMX riders joined racers from all over the country in Mount Gambier recently for two days of racing.
A lack of rain meant track preparations were delayed, although Blue Lake BMX Club committee members and hard-working volunteers got the job done to get the track up to standard for a busy weekend.
The first event of the weekend featured the South Australia Country championships with 186 competitors and 32 locals taking on the course throughout the day.
Honourable mentions for the locals included Jaiden Picken placing first in the junior superclass where he focused his attention rather than competing in his age category.
Trae Wilke finished first in a combined class 17-29 Men’s class, with Kain Jelleff placing third.
Local knowledge proved unmatched in the over 30’s men with a clean sweep of the podium.
Tom Castleman won the event, followed by Peter Jelleff and Josh Cram.
Sheridan Picken claimed an impressive third in the 13-16 age group against some older girls, where in a normal competition she would compete in 13 girls.
The premier class for the weekend was the superclass, with Happy Valley’s Preston Murray claiming the honours over both days of competition.
Clocking consistent track times, Murray showed why he has the Australia #1 plate from being junior superclass national champion in 2022.
After spending some time in the United States of America earlier this, year he showed his competitors he means business in his superclass debut.
Kyle Fox finished second, followed by Tyler Julian, Jayden Fox and local rider Cody Jelleff in fifth.
The second day of racing featured round two of the state series, and with a larger 255 field of riders to be the bigger race of the weekend.
The large number of competitors meant categories were broken up more, with a lot more riders racing against people closer to their own age groups.
Sheridan Picken achieved an improved result, finishing first in the 13 girls, with her brother Jaiden competing in two categories to finish first in the 15 boys and second in the more competitive junior superclass men.
Wilke was first in the 17-24 men, with Cody Jelleff in second and Kain Jelleff third, giving the locals a clean sweep of the podium.
Other local competitors included Riley Hill, Mitchell Vorwerk and Riley Hink.
Blue Lake BMX president Kynan Davey enjoyed a day of racing after a lot of hard work organising the event, winning the 35-39 years men with local Josh Cram a close second.
Peter Jelleff claimed the honours in the 40-44 men to round out the local results.
A lot of local riders hit personal records on the track which was great to hear that everyone is improving drastically even if they did not take home a trophy.
The locals look forward to taking their success to the Tee Tree Gully BMX track for round 3 of the state series on April 2.
