Walker tops qualifiers in BMX World Supercross

BMX world champion Sarah Walker has topped qualifiers at the second round of the UCI World Supercross in South Africa today.

The 21-year-old New Zealander produced a superb lap on the outdoor Supercross track at Pietermaritzburg near Durban, finishing 1.5 seconds faster than second qualifier Eva Ailloud (France), who finished second to Walker at the recent world championships in Australia.

Fellow BikeNZ riders Marc Willers (Cambridge) and 16-year-old Trent Woodcock (Pukekohe) also qualified through to today’s elimination motos and finals in the men’s competition.

Walker (Kawerau) clocked 32.960 on the newly laid outdoor track which features an 8m drop from the start ramp and some huge jumps.

“I felt good in practice and got the second and third straights nailed a few times although I wasn’t as strong on the triple down the first straight because the tail wind from yesterday’s unofficial practice had disappeared,” Walker said.

“I set-up and got out alright and once I hit the jumps, I had fun. I rolled between the first and second jumps and then concentrated on staying smooth on the straights which makes all the difference.

“I heard the commentator say something about a second and a half faster. I knew Eva (Ailloud) was the last girl and posted the second fastest time, so I was really happy with that effort.”

Willers recorded the 19th fastest time to qualify easily in the first round of the men’s competition in 29.158s, while Woodcock needed the second qualifying run to get into tomorrow’s motos.

France’s Damien Godet was the top qualifier ahead of Raymon van der Biezen (NED) and former world champion Mike Day (USA).

Racing is set for tomorrow with 16 qualifiers in the women’s competition and 48 in the men.

Qualifying results, UCI BMX World Supercross:

Men: Damien Godet (FRA) 28.014, 1; Raymon van der Biezen (NED) 28.195, 2; Mike Day (USA) 28.234, 3. Also Marc Willers (NZL) 29.158, 19; Trent Woodcock (NZL) 30.402, 40.

Women: Sarah Walker (NZL) 32.960, 1; Eva Ailloud (FRA) 33.402, 2; Jana Horakova (CZE) 34.017, 3.