New Zealand’s leading men’s BMX rider Trent Jones will miss next month’s world championships in Colombia.
Jones, 22, crashed during the quarterfinals of the UCI Supercross World Cup in the Netherlands at the weekend, sustaining a shoulder injury in the process. After further medical examinations, it has been decided to withdraw him from the world championships so he can fully recover.
New Zealand is currently sitting comfortably on the nation rankings to earn one spot for a male for the Rio Olympics, and Jones is the top ranked individual Kiwi rider, this week moving to ninth in the world.
“In respect of our Olympic qualification status, missing the world championship will not pose any seriously adverse affect and therefore there is no need to take any risks in terms of this injury,” said Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director, Mark Elliott.
“Trent will be one of the riders who will be considered for selection for Rio and the best outcome for his chances would be to receive treatment for his injury and allow him to focus on a return to full fitness.”
Jones has returned to New Zealand for treatment and rehabilitation under Cycling New Zealand’s medical and support staff.
The New Zealand elite team for the world championships will be reduced to three riders in Sarah Walker, Matt Cameron and North Harbour debutant Michael Bias. Cameron and Walker are currently preparing in Florida for the world championships to be staged in Colombia on 28-30 May.
While New Zealand is currently is a reasonably safe qualifying position for one spot in the men, it does not rank as one of the leading nations in the women. Therefore Walker’s chances will rely on her finishing position in the world championships for one of the remaining individual spots either on ranking or on finishing position in Colombia among riders not already qualified.
