IRELAND’S TOP BMX rider Kelvin Batey is savouring his first world championship title.
Batey was crowned world number one after he outgunned the field to win the Masters class at the UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland yesterday.
“It’s taken 25 years, but it’s definitely worth the wait,” Batey said last night. “Finally – World Champion.”
“The sport is coming on a lot back home, so this is another step in the right direction and hopefully will bring more people to BMX.”
It was the perfect end to a perfect day after Batey won all three of his Motos and then followed it up with another win in the quarter-finals.
That winning streak came to an end when he was beaten by Javier Colombo of Argentina in the semi-final but second place was enough to guarantee the former UK number one his place in the final.
And when Colombo and compatriot Cristian Becerine crashed out at the first corner, it was Batey who took control and led all the way to the finish line.
Batey, 32, was born in England’s East Midlands and has been riding since the age of five. He declared for Ireland through his mother ahead of the 2012 Olympics but missed qualification for London by a single point before moving into the Masters category soon.
YouTube Credit: BMXAustraliaTV
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