Havelock North will host some ultra-exciting cycling action with the second annual UCI Pump Track National Championships this weekend.

There are some outstanding international riders descending on the new Velosolutions track at the Hawkes Bay BMX Club for the two-day competition, comprising the UCI Pump Track World Championship qualifying event on Saturday and the Cycling New Zealand UCI Pump Track Nationals on Sunday.

Leading the way is Rotorua’s international track star, Daniel Butterworth, who will defend his title won in Christchurch last year.

He will face some stern competition led by outstanding BMX prospect, Bennett Greenough from Cambridge, who won a round of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Rotorua earlier this year.

The women’s action includes Tauranga’s Shania Rawson, who has enjoyed an outstanding allround mountain bike season, finishing third overall in the international Queen of Crankworx series. This competition includes a pump track event, with Rawson the key rider to beat at the weekend.

The Hawkes  Bay Pump Track is 193m with eight turns and 33 rollers on an asphalt surface, which was completed by Velosolutions NZ in mid-2023.

While there is sure to be plenty of close and exciting competition, there is plenty at stake as well. Along with the official titles, the winner of the Velosolutions UCI World Pump Track Championship qualifier on Saturday will lean a fully-paid trip to the world finals in Durban, South Africa in November.

“Pump track racing is one of the fast-growing parts of our sport, and an integral part of BMX Racing and also the Crankworx Mountain Bike world series,” said Velosolutions NZ Manager, Craig Pattle.

Racing comprising qualifying runs, with the fastest 32 riders advancing to the elimination session, which progresses in an elimination basis to quarterfinals, semifinals and the final two riders to the Big Final, and third and fourth placegetters to the Small Final.

Racing is in age divisions comprising under-10 years, 10-12 years, 13-14 years, 15-16 years, 17 years plus for non-championship and elite, along with 30 years plus and 50 years plus.

Registration is from 8am with racing from 9am, elimination rounds from 1pm and finals schedule late afternoon.

Details: https://pumptracknationals.nz