BMX: Walker on comeback trail

Kawerau's Sarah Walker will compete at the world champs in Rotterdam this weekend.

Kawerau's Sarah Walker will look to recapture some form when she takes part in the 2014 UCI BMX World Championships.

The Olympic silver medallist suffered from injury during 2013 and is starting to make her comeback this year.

She will be among the top riders representing New Zealand at the world champs this weekend in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The New Zealand elite team includes nine riders who will compete across four classes - the men's and women's elite races and the junior elite races.

New Zealand coach Ryan Hollows said the team was well prepared for the tight indoor arena, following similar world championships in Birmingham (2012) and Auckland last year.

"The track is what it is and we have prepared for it. With an 8m ramp and a very short straight it is going to provide a challenge to get around that first corner without mishap," Hollows said.

"That said, Marc Willers showed what he can do ... with his second placing at Auckland last year. The key is going to be to get a great gate and we have trained very much with that in mind."

For the elite riders, there are time trials for qualifying purposes and a super final on Saturday with elimination racing on Sunday.

The BikeNZ elite team

Men: Trent Jones (North Canterbury), Kurt Pickard (Tauranga), Marc Willers (Cambridge). Junior: Todd Barry (Te Awamutu), Caleb Martin (Christchurch), Codi Merito (Te Awamutu), Liam Perry (Kapiti).
Women: Sarah Walker (Kawerau). Junior: Hannah Sarten (Cambridge).