Shepp Speaks | BMX National Championships

By Djembe Archibald

Oct 31, 2023

Shepparton is gearing up to host the 2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships this week.

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The News went down to talk to some racers and spectators to see why they love the sport.

Here’s what they had to say.

Heidi Stevens

We are from Bundaberg BMX Club in Queensland and we have travelled down to Shepparton to represent the team.There are a few from our club that are racing today as well as Friday and Saturday. We have come out to get our plates ready and get some track time.

Runa Page

I’m here because I want to represent my team and my state and also because it’s fun and I love it. I’m representing Perth WA. The hardest thing I can do is jumping but I’m most scared when I fall.

Elani Schwartz

I’m a racer and I’m representing NSW today. The hardest thing I do is manualling. I love racing but sometimes I get a bit scared. It can be scary to get back on the bike when I fall.

Archie Manshanden

I’ve come down here to race and to have a bit of fun on the tracks. I’m 14 but I’ve been BMXing for seven to eight years. My favourite thing about it is going fast and jumping but the hardest thing is the competitions. Having to get everything together and in time can be hard. When I fall I just try to forget about it so I can get back on confidently. I’m representing Tasmania today.

Lochy Schwartz

I’m here to race today for nationals which is where I’ll get my A-plates. I like riding tracks the most and jumping is also really fun. I’m 11 years old this year and I’ve been doing BMX for about five years.

Lewis Allen

Today I’m here to race and have fun and to make more friends. I think that’s my favourite part of BMXing, making friends and being in teams. I also really enjoy riding all of the tracks. I’ve done it since I was seven which was about a year-and-a-half ago.

Mason Thorn

Today I’m racing BMX which I’ve done for 10-and-a-half years. I’m now 13 so I’ve been doing it since about three years old. My favourite thing about it is representing Australia and the team spirit of the sport. I also really like the sport itself and the friends I’ve made. The hardest part is keeping a good mindset , especially when injured.