Special win: Seymour’s Wade Worth enjoyed an excellent weekend in Brisbane.
The budding BMX career of Seymour’s Wade Worth reached new heights at the weekend when he claimed victory in the 30-34 men’s division at the 2022 AusCycling Oceania Championships in Brisbane.
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A talented BMX rider as a teenager, Worth returned to the sport just two years ago after taking an extended break and has since made waves, having also secured victory at the AusCycling National Championships in December.
Continuing to go from strength to strength, Worth said it was a fantastic feeling to come away with a win up in Queensland.
“It is a bit overwhelming, to be honest,” Worth said.
“To head up there in the heat and humidity and ride the way I did was just fantastic. I loved every minute of the competition and testing myself against that high standard of competitors.
“Only coming back to racing two years ago, I have really had to train hard to get to this point. I’d get out there and race every second weekend, so to see that pay off is very pleasing.”
The victory served as a dream come true for the Seymour rider, as it meant he secured qualification for the world championships, set to take place in France in July.
Worth said he could not wait to take his riding overseas and continue to test himself against the best the world had to offer.
“The overall goal was to get over to France for the world championships, so this weekend was the automatic qualifier which made the win extra special for me,” he said.
“I was never able to get over to a world championship event when I was riding as a kid, so to do it now as an adult, it is a bit of a dream come true to be able to be there now.
“I think it will be harder (over at the world championships). Having been locked down for a while here in Australia, there haven’t been as many competitions compared to those riders from other countries.
“But it will be a great test for me and my riding to see how I go against those guys and I can’t wait to get stuck in. If I don’t win, so be it, but it will be a great experience.”
Family affair: Having children Ryder, 8, and Lauren, 9, trackside at the weekend made the world of difference for Wade Worth.
The weekend was made all the more special for Worth as his family made the trip to Brisbane to cheer him on.
With children (and budding BMX riders) Lauren, 9, and Ryder, 8, the main inspiration behind his return to riding, Worth said it was special being able to share the victory with them in person.
“Having travelled to a lot of events by myself, I decided this time to take the kids and let them experience being there at a race,” he said.
“They absolutely loved it (being trackside). It is funny because they half expect me to win now and love to put the pressure on me.
“It was just awesome, though. My son comes up to me after every race and gives me a little fist bump, so to be able to share those moments is very special.”
When it came to his racing, he said the presence of his family made a massive difference on how he went about the competition.
“I do all right by myself, but it was so much easier having my partner and kids there this time,” he said.
“I race two different bikes, so sometimes I finish a race and quickly have to pick up another bike and go again, so they helped me with organising that and just keeping me hydrated. Those little things were a huge help.”
