BMXer claims Oceania men's downhill win

Another BMXer beaten to women's title

BMX Olympian Jared Graves showed another side to his bike skills by winning the Downhill Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Thredbo. The 26-year-old Queenslander held off New Zealand's hot favourite Wyn Masters to take the title.

Having swapped his BMX bike for his Yeti prototype Graves admits the transition was not easy. "The cross over back isn't that hard as I've been riding downhill for ten years. It's a different kind of fitness though and that definitely is an issue," said Graves.

Australian downhill champion Claire Whiteman claimed the women's Oceania title in a close race beating fellow Canberra rider Caroline Buchanan. Just four seconds separated the pair but Whiteman hopes the win will help her get to the World Championships later this year.
"It's been the best year yet," said an excited Whiteman. "It was tough. Generally I don't do well in the wet. This time down I decided to relax from the top."

Third place went to New Zealand's national silver medallist, Amy Laird.

See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the Oceania championships.