Cycling: Hard-out racing triplets just love to have fun

John, Steve and Ted Rua enjoy the speed but hate crashing their BMXs.

The Rua triplets, John, Steve and Ted from Auckland's North Shore, are hooked on BMX riding.

The boisterous 7-year-olds cannot get enough of the sport and are counting down the sleeps until the UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.

They are in Year 2 at Greenhithe School and race for North Harbour BMX Club. The family lives in Greenhithe and the boys have been taking part in BMX since they were 4.

"It's a wonderful sport for the boys to be involved in," said their mother Evie Rua.

"It helps them let off some of that steam. BMX is a great sport for both competitors and spectators to take part in. We have met lots of other really nice families through the sport and it is something that we can enjoy with our children."

We asked the triplets some questions and, not surprisingly, their answers about their passion for the sport were very similar.

Why do you love BMX racing?
Ted: It is so much fun. I can go fast and I like the speed.
Steve: I love going on road trips, doing the jumps and manuals.
John: I love it because I like going fast.

For someone who knows nothing about BMX, how would you describe it?
Ted: It is racing, winning medals and making friends.
Steve: You need to concentrate so you don't crash and pumping is important.
John: You need to train, you need to pump and focus.

Which of you is the fastest and why?
Ted: I am. I'm the smallest and fastest.
Steve: I am because I have clips now.
John: I am. I can beat my brothers sometimes.

What is the worst thing about BMX racing?
Ted: Crashing or when your foot comes off the pedal.
Steve: Crashing is definitely the worst part of BMX.
John: Crashing and giving up.

What are you most looking forward to about the BMX World Champs?
Ted: Racing inside Vector Arena.
Steve: Riding in Vector Arena.
John: Racing hard and riding on a new track.

What do you think the international competitors will think of NZ and the BMX racing scene here?
Ted: They are going to find Kiwis a little hard to beat.
Steve: They will like our country and they will find it hard to beat us.
John: They will love our country and be impressed. We have some good BMX riders here.

The UCI BMX World Championships

When: July 24-28
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland.

For more information visit bmxworldsnz.com.