BMX: World's best compete in Pukekohe

Sarah Walker. Photo / Daily Post

It's a long and bumpy road ahead for BMX riders to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics and that journey continues today in Pukekohe.

Some of the world's best BMX riders from the United States, Australia and New Zealand's own Olympians Sarah Walker and Marc Willers are chasing vital Olympic qualifying points.

The new BMX Supercross track at Puni near Pukekohe will host the two-day Oceania Intercontinental Championship (which finishes tomorrow) - it is one of five held around the world for Olympic qualifying points this year.

Two-time world champion Walker will be in action with fellow Beijing Olympian Willers, who is returning from his base in California.

"We are all heading into this event with little idea of form because the last time we raced internationally was back in October, but I feel like I have been preparing well," said Walker, who competed last week at a local event in Canberra.

"There is that added pressure of performing at home and the expectation is that I will go out and win - if I stick to my plan and what I know well then I should be okay."

Walker, who placed fourth at the Beijing Olympics, is focused on making 2011 a big year as she builds for the BMX World Cup in South Africa next month to be ready for London.

"Coming fourth at the Olympics is not a lot of fun," said the 22-year-old.

"I feel like I have matured as a person and as a rider since Beijing and I am looking forward to building towards London with some good results and confidence ... it is an important year."

Meantime Willers, who recently won the North American Continental event and leads the American BMX Association national series, is excited about a rare opportunity to race at home. "The last time I competed at home was the nationals last year so it's a rare opportunity and there is a lot of pressure to perform," said the 25-year-old from Cambridge, who regularly competes against the four riders from the States.

Willers is focused on peaking for South Africa so he has been spending plenty of time in the gym to bulk up and get stronger for early April.

"Even though I've been hitting the gym hard and lifting some heavy weights I've been getting some good results on the bike," said Willers, who has won four out of the six events Stateside this season.

A strong Australian contingent has crossed the Tasman including Olympians Luke Madill and Caroline Buchanan, while World Supercross winners Nic Long and Dave Herman, with super-talented Corben Sharrah, head a crack US team.

"It's going to be an exciting opportunity to see some of the world's best in action," said organiser Bruce Northwood.

"With New Zealand to host the world championships in two years' time, it's going to give a hint at the quality of riders who will come to this country."