BMX: Riders throng to join largest team

A host of Tauranga riders are part of New Zealand's largest BMX team named for this month's 2013 UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.

About 2500 riders from more than 30 countries are expected to contest the event at Vector Arena from today to Sunday, but a loophole for locals mean a disproportionate amount will represent the host nation.

New Zealand is entitled to up to 32 riders in some classes, resulting in a national team of more than 800 to contest the Challenge (age group competition) and Elite World Championships.

London Olympic silver medallist Sarah Waller and Marc Willers are leading the BikeNZ elite team.

Also Latvian four-time world champion Maris Strombergs will also be competing under the watchful eye of experienced Tour de France, Olympics and Commonwealth Games commentator John Cardwell.

The men's field boasts the likes of current Australian world champion Sam Willoughby, 2011 world champion Joris Daudet and last year's Time Trial World Champion Connor Fields.

And on the women's side Olympic champion and 2011 world champion Marianna Pajon, three-time world champion Shanaze Reade, current world champion Magalie Pottier and last year's Time Trial World Champion Caroline Buchanan combine for an excellent field.

Tauranga members of the New Zealand team for challenge competition at the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships:

Females:

Amy Davies (5-7), Elliot Kale (8 years), Mia Callingham (11 years), Niamh Masson (11 years), Lisa Roguski (14 years),

Shania Rawson (14 years), Maree McGarva (17+ years), Tessa Carnie (17+ years), Cheryl Reece (30+ years), Catherine Robinson (30+ years), Kelly Cousins (30+ years), Maree McGarva (30+ years), Vanessa Quin (30+ years).

Males

Aaven McGarva (5-6), Blake Davies (7 years), William Savage (7 years), Matt Hill (8 years), Karepa Heke Kaiawha (9 years), Trey Royal (9 years), Oliver Robinson (10 years), Cullen McGarva (11 years), Matt Pinkerton (11 years),

Ryan Brown (11 years), Jakub Bourke (12 years), Jakob Millen (13 years), Tom Pinkerton (13 years), Cameron Judd (14 years),

Kieran Ngatai (14 years), Liam McDermott (14 years), Brent Roguski (16 years), Dylan Ngatai (16 years), Hamish Mackie (16 years), Jaime Callingham (16 years), Liam Peck (16 years),

William Milburn (16 years), Andrew Hickey (17-24 years), Nick Garrett (17-24 years),

Mark McGarva (35-39 years), Craig Hill (40-44 years), John Palairet (40-44 years), Kurt Riberio (40-44 years), Michael Ngatai (40-44 years), Ash Rawson (45+ years), Noel Frank (45+ years),

Pete Roden (45+ years), Phil Pinkerton (45+ years), Phillip Milburn (45+ years), Wil Peck (45+ years), Dennis Howlett (masters).