BLUE Lake BMX Club will take on the country’s best this month when it and six other South Australian clubs make the trip to Victoria for the 2019 BMX Australia National Championships next week.
Hosted 190km north of Melbourne by the Shepparton BMX Club, the event kicks off with registrations and practice on Monday and will wrap up on Saturday, providing almost a full week of racing action.
A total of 1547 entrants from 99 clubs will compete in the 2019 nationals, with 13 riders flying the flag for Mount Gambier.
As per usual, there are strong family connections within the field, with siblings Brad (12 years old) and Jade (14) Jennings making the trip, as will Jasmine (11) and Riley (13) Morgan.
Stephen Jones will compete in the men’s 35-39-year-old event, while daughter Lilly will contest the nine-year-old girls and son Jackson is set to take on the seven-year-old sprockets.
The Jelleffs also have a strong representation, with Peter racing in the 40-44 men in both the 20-inch and cruiser classes, while Kain and Tyler Jelleff will contest the 17-24-year-old and 10-year-old classes respectively.
Last year nationals were held at Bunbury in Western Australia and as a result, participation numbers were down from Blue Lake, as well as many other eastern-based clubs.
However, with the 2019 event a six-hour drive away, this year sees a stronger field and coach Sallyanne Morgan hopes to return home with some national plates.
The Shepparton BMX Club and Greater Shepparton City Council have been busy in preparation for the event for the last six months and the track features a newly constructed state-of-the-art eight-metre start hill for elite riders.
The action at the National Championships begins with practice for riders on Monday and Tuesday, before the inaugural pro spectacular takes place on Wednesday, which will see the elite riders on display.
Thursday and Friday will feature cruiser and challenge (age group) classes, while Saturday is the main day of racing, where the championship classes for ages 14-and-up fight for the coveted A1 plate awarded to the national champion.
Entry to the track is free, with a $2 parking fee for those bringing vehicles into the venue.
BLUE LAKE BMX CLUB ENTRIES
Peter Jelleff – 40-44 men, cruiser; Stephen Jones – 35-39 men; Kain Jelleff – 17-24 men; Riley Hill – 14 boys; Jade Jennings – 14 girls; Riley Morgan – 13 boys; Brad Jennings – 12 boys; Tyler Jelleff – 10 boys; Jasmine Morgan – 11 girls; Jacques Aslin – 10 boys; Lilly Jones – 9 girls; Lilly Kradolfer – 9 girls; Jackson Jones – sprockets.
