Illawarra Academy of Sport’s Cycling Squad member, Kirk Cleaven represented Australia at the resent UCI BMX World Championships in Zolder, Belgium. The 2015 UCI BMX World Championships returned to an outdoor venue for the first time since 2011 when they were held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The fairly new BMX facility at the former F1 circuit in Zolder is large and fast, and has already hosted some exciting races earlier this year. The track’s bends are named after three world class racers who all participated at the Championships. The first turn is called the ‘Buchanan bend’ named after 2012 and 2013 UCI World Champion Caroline Buchanan (AUS). Turn number two, ‘Pajon Peralte’ is named after reigning Olympic and World Champion Mariana Pajon, from Colombia. Meanwhile Post Corner is named after another hot favourite, last year’s silver medallist Alise Post (USA). Kirk was a member of the Australian Team of 140 riders, from under 11’s through to the Elite Opens, that were competing in the five day Championships held from July 21st to 25th. After claiming the 13 boys Australian Title at the 2015 Subaru BMX National Championships held from April 28th to May 3rd Kirk qualified for the World Championships. Cleaven could not have asked for a better start finishing his 3 Moto (qualifying) races all in first place to progress to the knockout rounds as one of the top 8 races. He finished 2nd in the top 64 round, then finish 1st in the top 32 round to then finish 3rd in the round of 16 to qualify for the World Title race. Drawing gate 4 in the final Cleaven got out of the gates well to be 3rd into the first turn however was pushed wide and unfortunately this was enough to rule out any chance at the World Title. Kirk continued to fight all the way to the line and finished a very respectable 7th. A great result for a young man that has a lot of potential and the ability to match it with the world’s best.
