With the 2017 BMX Australia Retro national championships a little over a week away, I thought I would look over the fields for next weeks retro racing and give my predictions for the 4 classes that will be racing their retro bikes for the Australian title.

Classes that will be competing are the 8 to 14 boys and for the first time ever we also have a stand alone girls class with 7 girls in the 8 to 14 class, the 39 and under men and the 40+ men.

8 to 14 boys
Over the last 12 months, last years 5A Kyal Waldron has improved out of sight and with this being his last year in the 8 to 14 class I think he will go very close to taking the win in the 2017 event. Fighting every step of the way will be last years 3A Liam Carruthers who I think will be Kyal’s main competition and I am tipping that Liam will make the podium in second place and watch out for last years 8A Byron Blythe who came unstuck and rode off the track in the second straight at Bathurst whilst fighting for 3rd place.  Also got my fingers crossed for young Victorian retro regular Samuel Todd to make up the main field and come home with an A plate.

8 to 14 girls
It is sensational to see a stand alone girls retro class at this years National titles and goes to show that retro racing is in a very healthy position particularly with the juniors and with a bit of nurturing the retro BMX class will just keep on growing. My tip for the top spot on the podium is Mercedes Scott, Mercedes mixed it with the boys in last years National retro titles to come home with 7A, I think this year she has a big chance to take out the win, in second place I think Taleah Jerome has a big chance, with her recent result in the Caboolture series, beating older riders, I think she will be able to ride into a podium spot. Finally third place I think will go to Veronica Robinson who finished 10th in her age class at last years national titles and has shown strong form this year on her new school bike, but as we know, retro is a different sport and with no clips and brakes that barely work the girls retro racing should be great to watch with some very close racing amongst them.

39 and under men
Victorian retro BMX racer Russell Brown who is the current 3A I think has what it takes and has done the work to come home with the goods and stand upon top of the podium. 2 years ago Russell brought home 5A, improved to 3A last year and with no James Lautier last years winner and runner-up Mick Carruthers now in the 40+ I think this year is Russell’s chance to take it all. Ashmore BMX clubs Craig Mitchell I am tipping to snag a podium spot and take second place and third place I think is open and up for grabs and too hard to pick.

40+ men
Finally my class, 40+ men, unfortunately I have not been able to race this year, not that I would have made the final anyway, but I do intend to experience at least one national titles before I retire from retro BMX racing. As to my predictions, I think last years winner Darren James will prove too strong and go back to back, closely followed by last years 2A and current South Australian retro champion Ben McDonald will repeat last years result and take out 2nd spot and in third spot I think Mick Carruthers who is new to the 40+ class this year and last years 2A in the 39 and under retro class will take the final spot on the podium in 3rd. Depending on how much training he has been able to do Ali Scott is my smokey for an upset and grab a podium spot. Also watch out for Victorian riders Brendon Marshall and Scott Burgess who are absolutely flying at the moment and showing some impressive form.

So there you have it, my predictions for the retro classes at next weeks BMX Australia retro national championships, good luck to all riders.