Gearing up for the world champs

A Whangarei father and son duo will represent New Zealand at next month's UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.

Lance Dinsdale and his five-year-old son Tyla are a regular fixture at Whangarei's Pohe Island BMX track.

Dinsdale senior started riding five years ago and his son has been on the bike for two years.

Lance, aged 30, is competing in the 30 to 34-year age grade, in his first world championship. He said the competition would be tough. "The riders aren't coming here for fun. If I make it past the first round I'll be happy."

As for Tyla, he will be up against older and more experienced competitors in the five to six-year-old boys' category. "I'm not expecting too much from him. He's racing kids who have nearly turned seven. If he makes it past the first round he'll get a new helmet," said Lance.

Lance encourages his son to become a better rider. "He sees some of the pro guys and tries to mimic them. I try and push him," he said.

Tyla will eventually surpass his Dad on the bike said Lance. "It won't be long. He wants to be doing the pro-section when he's nine. I don't think I'll ever be doing the pro-section." Recently Tyla finished 11th out of 29 at the BMX nationals.

The Dinsdales put in long hours on the dirt. "I pick the kids up and go down to the track every night - seven days a week. On the weekend we spend two to three hours there each day," he said.

Lance and Tyla are part of a 31-strong Northland contingent selected for the world championships.

Emma Bryant from Bike NZ isn't surprised both Dinsdales will be competing at the world champs. However, unlike the Dinsdales she said it's usually the children that get the parents into the sport. "BMX is a real family sport. Any race day held at the track is a real family get together," she said. There are quite a number of family combinations [involved in BMX in New Zealand].

There will be other family combinations representing New Zealand at the world championships.

The UCI BMX World Championships run from July 24-28 at Vector Arena, Auckland. About 2000 riders from 30 countries are expected at the event. Tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.co.nz