Walker finishes an encouraging fifth in time-trial medal race

Sarah Walker just missed out on a podium spot on the opening day of the BMX World Championships in Rotterdam as she placed fifth in the Superfinal ahead of her main event – the women’s elite race, which takes place in the early hours of tomorrow (Monday NZ Time).
The 2009 world champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist had earlier qualified a solid 10th in time trials qualification for the elite race recording a time of 28.402s around the tight, indoor track.

However in the Superfinal – a one-off time trialled medal race for the fastest qualifiers – the Cambridge-based rider performed significantly quicker – registering 27.895s to place fifth behind home rider Laura Smulders of the Netherlands. She struck gold in 27.449s just ahead of defending elite women’s world champion Caroline Buchanan (27.471s)of Australia.
Colombia’s Mariana Pajon claimed bronze in 27.553s.

Still, Walker’s display was encouraging as she seeks what will be her sixth World Championship medal in the women’s elite race tomorrow.

In the men’s elite qualification time trials three Kiwis were in action with US-based Marc Willers (Cambridge) –the elite men’s 2013 silver medallist – the fastest of the trio in 31st (25.799s).

Teenager Trent Jones (South Canterbury) was 41st in 25.953s and Kurt Pickard (Tauranga), who has been in excellent form on the US circuit this year, 43rd in 25.994s. The 2012 world elite silver medallist Joris Daudet of France (24.873s) was the fastest qualifier.

Note, all the riders who take part in qualification advance to the last 64 tomorrow – time trials just help sort out the groupings.

In the women’s elite junior race, Cambridge-based Hannah Sarten qualified an impressive fifth in a time of29.964s behind the quickest rider Sandie Thibaut of France (28.523s). Sarten, 18, currently ranked No.6 in the world, later finished tenth (30.179s) in the Superfinal event.
In men’s junior time trial qualification four Kiwis were in action. Todd Barry (Te Awamutu) in 35th was the fastest of the quartet in 27.133 followed by Caleb Martin (Christchurch) 40th (27.244). Codi Merito (Te Awamutu) advanced 45th in 27.623 with Liam Perry (Kapiti) registering 27.623 for 49th ahead of tomorrow’s elite junior race.

Details: www.bikenz.org.nz