Thirteen riders raced in the BMX national championships at the Sunset Coast track in Puni in Auckland over Easter.
Six riders made it through to finals. Matt Hills was the highest-ranked rider, earning the NZ2 plate to ride with for the next 12 months.
Krystal Smith placed fourth in the 15-year girls’ 20-inch and sixth in the cruiser class for female riders 13 to 39.
Gemma Hills placed seventh after being in a three-rider crash in the 15yr girls’ 20-inch event.
Aliyah Lardelli kept her NZ7 plate with a gutsy ride in the final of the 8yr girls’ event.
Phill Gill rode well to place eighth in the 20-inch event for men aged 30 to 39.
Ruby Anne Smith placed eighth in the 11yr girls’ 20-inch and eighth in the Mighty 11 trials.
Dylan Lardelli was 12th overall after placing sixth in his 20-inch semifinal for 16yr males.
Ethan Rogers placed 15th overall after finishing eighth in his semifinal.
Other results for Gisborne riders — Taylah Pragnell: 9NZ in 15yr girls’ 20-inch. Kate McCosh: 11NZ in 15yr girls’ 20-inch. Brad O’Connell-Bacon: 15th in 6yr boys’ 20-inch. Hayden Pragnell: 26th in 13yr boys’ 20-inch. Shane Pragnell: 30th in 40-to-49 male 20-inch. Ruby Anne Smith: Also raced in 11 to 12 mixed cruiser class.
Thanks go to Tim Smith, Wayne Hills and Nick Fox for their efforts in coaching the riders in their preparations for the national championships.
