Cycling Australia

Cycling Australia is pleased to confirm the members of the BMX High Performance Program Elite Development Squad for 2009.

Five riders have been selected in the squad that will train and compete under the guidance of Cycling Australia's BMX High Coach and former BMX professional, Wade Bootes. The riders and their key BMX results of 2008 are:

• Rachel Bracken (30.06.1991 Aitkenvale, QLD) Junior competition - 3rd World Championships and 2nd Australian Championships
• Caroline Buchanan (24.10.1990 Kambah, ACT) Junior competition - 3rd Australian Championships. Elite competition - 13th Australian round UCI Supercross World Cup Series
• Josh Callan (08.04.1991 Healesville VIC) Junior competition - 5th World Championships and third overall BMXA Probikx World CupSeries
• Lauren Reynolds (25.06.1991 Clifton Park, WA) Junior competition - 2nd World Championships and 1st Australian Championships. Elite competition - 11th Australian round UCI Supercross Series
• Brian Kirkham (01.01.1986 Port Augusta, SA)

"The riders show great potential to continue to develop and to reach their best in the years to come," said Bootes. "I am fortunate to be able to work with and guide talented riders who have the motivation and drive to succeed.

"I believe these riders will lead the rest of the nation to a level that will help Australia dominate at the international level on the BMX track."

Bootes says 2009 will be a year for development as the five riders step up from the junior ranks.

"With great results in 2008 as juniors and already mixing it with the best senior riders around the world in BMX and MTB events, I see them continuing on with their success for many years ahead."

Bootes says there has been a very positive impact on the sport from the inclusion of BMX in the Olympic Games.

" For sure there is a lot more talk from the general public about BMX since the Olympic Games and the number of new riders in the sport has grown," said Bootes. "Also the commitment to the top end of riders has increased with people regarding BMX as a major sport and top class riders wanting to make a living out of riding a BMX bike."

The plan for the 2009 BMX Elite Development Squad will include a semi residential BMX program with a daily training program for the riders.

"The Cycling Australia BMX High Performance Program will utilise the Queensland Academy of Sport facilities and will have the support of other State Institutes and Academies," said Bootes."It means we'll have the best resources to support the individual development of the riders to help them qualify for Australian teams for Supercross events and World Championships.

"The aim is to expose them to as much international racing experience as possible so they can improve and excel as we head towards the 2012 Olympic Games in London."