HVO support keeps BMX riders on track for success

Racing against the clock was all part of the challenge for approximately 680 competitors in the recent AusCycling NSW State Series.

Round 1 of the AusCycling series was recently hosted by the Maitland-Tenambit BMX Club, where riders had the opportunity to test their speed and skills.

The new ‘transponder loop’, funded by HVO, was used to time all athletes around the course, but also to determine the riders who made it from the starting gate to the first corner with the fastest time. Riding at lightning pace, Oliver Moran from the Manning Valley (Taree) BMX club and Sienna Paul from the Terrigal BMX club were the respective winners of the $500 Holeshot Awards for the fastest male and female sprint to the first corner.

The ‘transponder loop’ was installed during December as part of the timing system. It works by picking up a signal from the transponder fixed to the rider’s bike as they ride over it. Performance data is a key tool in the development of BMX riders’ skills and race craft, with the data collected fed into the Sqorz timing system against each rider’s profile.

Maitland club coach Harrison Davis said BMX racing was very competitive and using data picked up by the transponder loop helped riders track their progress. He said it was rewarding for riders to see that all the hard work they were putting into their training resulted in faster lap times.

At the recent State Series, competitors were able to watch the action and prepare for their events in comfort under gazebos supplied by HVO. The gazebos and donated hats provided some much-needed shade and sun protection for athletes as they waited in the marshalling area.

Support for the Maitland-Tenambit BMX club is funded by HVO’s Community Grants Program. Round one of the program for 2025 will open on April 1 and close on April 30, with application forms available on the HVO website.

If you have a specific project that you would like to discuss with the HVO Environment and Community team, please contact Nic McLaughlin on 0455 782 292 or nic.mclaughlin@hvo.com.au