Blue Lake BMX members well placed in BMX SA state titles

A Blue Lake Bmx Clubdsc 5203  TBW Newsgroup
SHINING BRIGHTLY: The Blue Lake BMX Club enjoyed a strong campaign at the 2019 BMX SA state titles in Adelaide on Sunday, with many impressive results against South Australia's best. Picture: THOMAS MILES

A Blue Lake Bmx Clubdsc 5203 TBW Newsgroup
SHINING BRIGHTLY: The Blue Lake BMX Club enjoyed a strong campaign at the 2019 BMX SA state titles in Adelaide last Sunday, with many impressive results against South Australia’s best. Picture: THOMAS MILES

THE Blue Lake BMX Club enjoyed a strong campaign against South Australia’s best at the 2019 BMX SA state titles in Adelaide last weekend.

No less than 20 Blue Lake riders pushed pedals in the 300-strong field at Cross Keys BMX Club.

The South East club was one of the top performers, with 18 competitors scoring top-10 state plates.

Blue Lake BMX Club president Stephen Jones said each rider should be proud of their efforts on an unfamiliar track.

“They all gave it their best shot and should be happy with how they went,” he said.

“The track also had a bearing on the results and if we had more time on the track we could have scored more places.

“All the Adelaide riders train on that track and we only go up there two or three times a year.

“So what we have come home with is quite good.”

There were many notable individual efforts, but none more so than BMX veteran Peter Jelleff.

The 2019 edition of the state titles was the 15th consecutive year for Jelleff, who was presented with a special award to mark the occasion.

Jones said Jelleff just loves the sport and the award was a fitting tribute for the cycling veteran, who does not seem to slow down.

“Peter is mad for it,” he said.

“Peter had his 15th consecutive year and nearly won his final.

“He led the whole lap, but got passed with about 10 metres to go and ran out of puff.

“He has ridden for about 30 years, since he was an eight-year-old kid.”

The younger generation also produced a number of impressive results.

Despite just not reaching his final, Caiden Garrett stood out to claim the officials challenge class encouragement award.

Garrett was selected by officials as the most impressive rider who did not reach the decider in their respective class.

Jones said Garrett put in a solid performance on return from a break from the sport.

“He rode quite well and came back after bit of a break,” he said.

“The officials chose him as a rider they thought did an outstanding job and probably should have got through (into the final).”

Young gun Jasmine Morgan shone brightly to win her state 11 girls title for the second year in a row.

Jones said Morgan was among a number of young riders who stood up at the big event.

“Everybody rode quite well and all did a good job,” he said.

“Jasmine won her class and maintained her position.

“Lily Kradolfer rode her first ever state title and finished second.

“Trae Wilke and Riley Morgan missed out on getting into the grand final by just one position, while Riley Hill missed out by a point on making it through to a final.”

After the promising campaign in Adelaide, the Blue Lake BMX Club will now turn its attention to the Victorian State Titles at Casey next month.

But looming large will be next year’s BMX SA state competition, which is set to arrive in the South East.

Jones said the event scheduled to be held in November next year will be a huge boost for the region.

“It will be good for the club and the town to have such a big race,” he said.

“I expect to see about 400 competitors here.

“We have defiantly got the facility for it.

“It is quite outstanding and is probably one of the top five in Australia.”