Cycling South Australia

The top 1,100 RIDERS from 37 countries will compete on the purpose built track  situated in the main arena of the agricultural showgrounds of Pietermaritzburg. The track is unique as it is the first track to feature separate straights and start ramps for the elite and challenge class riders.

Defending World Champion Donny Robinson (USA) will not be racing after a string of bad crashes and repeated injuries to his ribs and lungs. One of the favourites for the title in the elite men’s class is Olympic Champion Maris Strombergs (LAT). The Latvian has posted strong performances during recent BMX events and convincingly won the BMX Supercross round in Copenhagen.

One of Strombergs biggest rivals will be South Australia's Sam Willoughby who makes his debut in the elite men’s class at this year’s World Championships. Last year Willoughby won the junior world title in his hometown Adelaide. If he manages to win the elite class this year, he will be the first rider to win back to back junior titles followed by an elite crown.

But Willoughby is facing formidable competition.  Sifiso Nhlapo (RSA), he young Johannesburg resident and local BMX favourite, is on a comeback this year from a serious injury he sustained in 2008. His recent strong performances in some major North American BMX events, show he's able to mix it with the big guns again and he'll be supported by a home crowd.

In the elite women’s class pundits predict a showdown between Laëtitia Le Corguillé (FRA), who won both rounds of the UCI BMX Supercross in 2010, current elite World Champion Sarah Walker (NZL) and Shanaze Reade, the 2008 World Champion. But riders like Canberra's Caroline Buchanan (AUS), the former junior World Champion Mariana Pajon (COL) and Alise Post (USA) are tipped for possible upset wins.

The Australian team is listed below.

BMX 20" - Elite Men

• Joshua CALLAN (Healesville VIC, 08.04.1991)
• Jared GRAVES (Toowoomba, QLD 16.12.1982)  withdrew due to MTB World Cup commitments
• Brian KIRKHAM (Hillbank SA, 01.01.1986)
• Luke MADILL (Cranebrook NSW, 28.05.1980)
• Sam WILLOUGHBY (Trott Park SA, 15.08.1991)
• Khalen YOUNG (Kelmscott WA, 20.11.1984)

BMX 20" - Elite Women

• Rachel BRACKEN (Aitkenvale QLD, 30.06.1991)
• Caroline BUCHANAN (Kambah ACT, 24.10.1990)
• Nicole CALLISTO (Beechboro, WA, 12.11.1987) 
• Lauren REYNOLDS (Clifton Park, WA, 25.06.1991)

BMX 20" - U19 Men

• Matthew DUNSWORTH (Boronia, VIC, 14.04.1992)
• Darryn GOODWIN (Swan View, WA, 02.08.1993)

BMX 20" - U19 Women

• Kirsten DELLAR (Carlisle, WA, 29.10.1992)
• Melinda McLEOD (Mackay, QLD, 12.02.1993)