Bicycle Network Victoria: Ride On magazine

What: DK BICYCLES 2010 VICTORIAN OPEN BMX CHAMPIONSHIPS

Where: Frankston BMX Club, 101 Wells Rd, Seaford, VIC

When: Sat 27 & Sun 28 November, 2010

Sat 27th – starts 12 noon opening ceremony

Continues with sprockets (5 – 7 yr) and cruiser classes (24” bikes)

Sun 28th – main day – racing starts 9.30 am – 2.30 pm

For all 20” classes including all elite riders

This weekend Frankston will feature one of the biggest BMX events in Victoria since the National Championships drew over 1 000 riders to Shepparton earlier this year. Over 800 riders from every state and territory will line up at Frankston for the DK Victorian Open State Championships.

Some of the big guns include Olympic hopefuls like Brian Kirkham from Adelaide and local professional, Olivier Hoarau from Frankston. Kirkham, the third ranked Australian is hoping to maintain that position into the London Olympics in 2012.

“If I can stay there (top three) I should get selected so that’s the aim,” said Kirkham.

I’ve had a pretty pleasing season considering the injuries over the past few years. This last broken bone took a bit longer to get over.”

Over the last three seasons, 24 year old Kirkham has been plagued by injury. His seasons have been interrupted by a multitude of broken bones including two knuckles, two wrists, both forearms, one scapula and one collarbone. He now hopes his injuries are behind him.

Currently ranked in the top 20 in the world Kirkham will use the this event to kick start his season in preparation for later international events.

Also in the mix will be Victoria’s Joshua Callan from Lilydale. After an overseas season under his belt and a top 33rd world ranking Callan is expected to make the podium.

Callan and Kirkham are amongst several riders who have helped Australia achieve a top four spot in the country rankings.

The elite women’s field will have Callan’s sister, Ziggy hoping to reclaim her state title but all eyes will be on the form of Jaclyn Wilson-Thompson, a 33 year old mother from Bendigo,

Racing gets underway on Saturday after the official opening and the elite riders will be up and racing on Sunday from 10 am until 2.30 pm.