A hard, fast track awaits many of the country’s best BMX riders at Forrester Park today.
The South Island championships begin this morning as Dunedin hosts the event for the first time since 2010.
While the majority of the riders have been attracted from the South Island, a strong North Island contingent has made the trek south.
A small group of Australians have also made the journey.
It will be the first time many of them will compete on the refurbished track which was opened in September last year after a $140,000 makeover.
"The track’s really good," one of the event’s organisers Jason Wadsworth said.
"There’s been a lot of positive feedback, especially from the North Island riders, which is really good because their tracks are awesome up there."
Dunedin BMX club president Brent Rutherford added it was a change for many of the riders.
"It’s something different to what they’re used to. They’re normally riding a lot of what they call an ‘S track’, whereas ours is quite different to that.
"I think they’re finding with the sealed turns, the speed and the smoothness of the track, that it’s a really good ride."
The top competition would come in both the men’s and women’s elite grades.
However, both the 16-24 and 14-15 groups had quality competitors, too.
Among the top competitors in the men’s elite class are Christchurch’s Jono Varty and Southland’s Callum Holloway.
The women’s field looks strong with BMXNZ and Cycle NZ hub racer Ella Hansen leading the way, alongside Christchurch’s Rayner Jackson.
Dunedin’s Bella Wadsworth will also be in the hunt for title — she is believed to be the club’s first junior elite female in its 40-year history.
Those five will also be among those competing in the Supertour classes, which compete for prize money.
Racing begins at 11.15am today and tomorrow. Each moto — or round of racing — is expected to take about 45 minutes.
The finals will be held on Sunday afternoon.
South Island Champs
Forrester Park
Today, tomorrow
11.15am start
