BMX is back in Ballarat

Here's the press release that Stuart Brien sent to the Courier:

BMX Back in Ballarat

After an absence of 10 years, BMX is getting a new lease of life in Ballarat with today’s announcement that Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club has formed a new sub-committee to spearhead the development of a competition-grade BMX track at Marty Busch Reserve, adjacent to the club’s velodrome. Wayne Jolly, an Australian Masters BMX gold medalist and self-confessed BMX nut, approached BSCC about developing a BMX division within the club and building a track that complies with BMX Victoria standards, to enable Ballarat to host state-level BMX competitions.

“Our aim is to seek council approval to redevelop the track and create a membership structure under the banner of the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club, and have monthly or fortnightly club races,” said Wayne. In the 1980’s, when BMX was at the height of its popularity, Ballarat was home to two BMX clubs that boasted some three hundred members combined. Wayne says that emulating a quarter of that success for this new venture would be an outstanding result.

Wayne approached the BSCC committee in August to float the idea and there was unanimous support. “This further strengths the club’s position as cycling's representing body in the Ballarat region, and we’re very excited to expand down this path,” said BSCC committee member Stuart Brien. “It gives kids a chance to get into the sport on some great facilities and compete at a level not seen here in Ballarat for many years.”

Membership details will be developed over the coming weeks and posted on the club’s website (this one! - ed.), and it’s hoped that the BMX track upgrades will be completed by Christmas. Enquiries can be made via the website or by calling Wayne Jolly on 0408 946 742.

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What the Courier published is HERE.

This is very exciting!  With the imminent formation of a cross-country mountain bike racing arm of BSCC, the club will soon cover road, track, XC MTB and BMX racing.  The opportunities for bringing new young riders into the sport have now expanded considerably. 

And by the way, when you think BMX, don't think ET and suspensions for performance-degrading substances.  Think Robbie McEwen, Leigh Egan, Sven Nys - the Eddy Merckx of cyclocross, the most dominant and for our money the most exciting cyclist of the modern era - and of course Alan Cureton.  Wanna know where that explosive sprint comes from?  Soon you won't have far to look.  - ed.

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