Sport

BMX star Nhlapo in good form in USA

7 July 2010

South African BMX star Sifiso Nhlapo continued his giant-killing form in the United States on the weekend, while Australian Sam Willoughby pushed himself to the top of the podium at the Great Salt Lakes BMX Nationals and muscled to the top of the list of World Championships favourites.

South Africans hoping for a local world champion in Pietermaritzburg were given some hope when Nhlapo took fifth in Sunday's racing. He's been in impressive form while on the comeback from a potentially career-ending crash last year.

The young Johannesburg resident has returned to the level where he is once again mixing it with the big guns and his appearance in the final on Sunday was his third in four events after a fourth and a fifth recently in the Mid West Championships.

'I felt good'

"I felt good all day, getting through my motos with ease, transferring to semi on day one," said Nhlapo.

"In the semi, I knew it was going to be stacked. Going down the first straight we were pretty even and banging bars and none of us were going to shut it down, resulting in carnage where two of us crashed out."

"Day two went a lot better," said Nhalpo. "I got through the motos and semis and was feeling great, had a solid clean lap in the main final to finish fifth."

"Coming back from all the drama I had in Europe with my visa is just a breath of fresh air," he added.

Focus

"Just being able to focus on my racing again with a clear mind has been great and I love it.

"Being here in the USA is different in a good way. I have always been able to adapt to change and this has just been another test of character and I think I have done well."

The Great Salt Lakes Nationals in Utah is the final major event before the world's best riders head for Pietermaritzburg to take part in the UCI BMX World Championships at the end of the month.

Rider to watch

By spoiling the American Day of Independence parade for the US fans in Utah, Willoughby made sure he will be the rider to watch during the World Championships in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August.

Also, he has had previous success in the KwaZulu-Natal capital, winning the World Cup event there is 2009.

The Australian ended second in the first round of racing on Friday, with 2008 Olympic Champion Maris Stromberg taking the win. Khalen Young crossed the line third, while fourth-placed Donny Robinson, in his first event back after a serious injury, proved he is well on track to challenge for the world title.

Willoughby was sublime on the Sunday and cruised to victory with David Herman grabbing the runner up spot from Stromberg, with Young in fourth.

The riders will be going their separate ways to a variety of different races at various venues around America and Europe before congregating in Pietermaritzburg at the end of the month to find out the world number one is.

AA Pro Results

Saturday