Wanganui riding high on cycling centre and BMX hopes

Wanganui would become a natural scene for national BMX championships hosting 800-1000 riders should it win the right to build the New Zealand Cycling Centre of Excellence, says Taranaki BMX co-ordinator Steve Taylor.
Wanganui has possible sites for a BMX track if they win the bid, two of them within 100 metres of the present Velodrome. BMX is a strong part of BikeNZ's set-up, now it's an Olympic sport and its officials would move to Wanganui as part of the whole scheme.
"BMX has grown quite significantly in the last five years in New Zealand, especially with it now becoming an Olympic sport," Taylor says.
Sarah Walker and Marc Willers have been Olympic riders for New Zealand. Sarah Walker is a world gold medallist for New Zealand BMX.
"A national championships would bring huge revenue to Wanganui and the area. There are between 800 and 1000 at a national event," Taylor said.
"But it's not just New Zealand riders, you've got riders from Australia, America, China, Japan - attracting anywhere between 800 to 1000 riders, plus then you've got siblings, the parents, grandparents, friends.
"Over three days [a weekend] it brings huge revenue to your province, and huge returns into Wanganui itself," Taylor said.
Taylor says the establishment of a probable track at Wanganui, and the elite coaching/sports science, etc, that would go with it, would be greatly welcomed in Taranaki, which boasts the only two clubs [Hawera and New Plymouth] between Hamilton and Kapiti.
"Detract from us? No, it would be a huge advantage for riders in the lower North Island if we could get another track up and running."
The reason? It's three hours north and three hours south to find any opposition.
"Most of us go down and support Kapiti and Wellington and their meetings, but if they had one in Wanganui that would be a big advantage."
Taylor says BMX is alive and very well, especially now it's an Olympic sport.
"Everyone's out there just striving to be the new Sarah Walker or Marc Willers."
Taylor's view of having the centre in Wanganui:
"In terms of Taranaki's point of view, I think it would be a great asset to Wanganui and it would be a great opportunity for our riders in Taranaki to come down and experience first-hand what great facilities you've got down here.
"It will also give our other elite riders out there the opportunity to come and ride on what is going to be a UCI-built track which is basically right up there with the best in the world. So it brings great opportunity, not just for Wanganui riders but Taranaki riders as well."