Fox sees positives after bowing out

‘THAT'S RACING’: Auckland-based Gisborne rider Nick Fox had great qualifying motos but bowed out in the round of 8 heats of the elite men’s division at the UCI BMX World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is back racing in Colorado this weekend, then returns to New Zealand. Picture by Biascle Photos

GISBORNE BMX rider Nick Fox knows all too well the cut-throat nature of his sport.

So the 23-year-old was both disappointed and upbeat after being eliminated in his elite men’s round of 8 heat at the UCI BMX World Championships in the United States last weekend.

Auckland-based Fox had to make do with a top-64 placing overall at the worlds held in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

“My qualifying motos went great,” said Fox, who won his first New Zealand title this year.

Fox qualified second behind 2015 elite men’s world champion Niek Kimman of the Netherlands.

“I had fifth lane pick for the 1/8th final and had a lane right in the middle.

“I had a great start, the double Olympic champ outside of me, but ended up getting squeezed in the middle of the pack, hitting a bunch of riders either side and coming out second-best.”

With his chances gone, Fox completed the course in eighth and last place.

“But that’s BMX racing. In saying that, I was happy with my riding. I made big progress, with consistent starts, and got a good measurement of where I am at.”

Fox, who works as a club coach at the East City BMX Club, is back in action this weekend.

“I have a USA BMX race in Grand Junction, Colorado this weekend before I head back home to New Zealand next week.”

The United States did the elite double at the worlds — Corben Sharrah winning the men’s title and Alise Post, the women’s crown.

Sarah Walker was the best of the New Zealanders in the elite divisions, placing eighth in the women’s final.

The champs featured 3700 riders from 48 countries competing over various age groups and classes up to elite level.

Former Gisborne BMX Club rider Jessie Smith won two titles in her 16-years-and-under age group.