BMX World Championships Media Release

 No: bmx1020

14 July 2010

BMX community shaken by crashes at SA Champs
 
Pietermaritzburg – BMX racers around the country are rallying around six year old Cameron Du Bruyn, who was badly hurt in an accident at the final leg of the SA championships at Alrode in Gauteng on the weekend, as the countries top rider went through their final preparations for the UCI BMX World Championships.

Du Bruyn crashed while racing at the event, leaving him with a ruptured spleen and a burst liver, leaving him in critical condition in hospital. "Everyone in the BMX world is holding thumbs and praying for Cammie," said veteran rider Sharlene McGilvray.

Five times SA Champ BMX rider Dean Holdstock gave his fans a major scare when he crashed badly at the Alrode in Gauteng, leaving him with two cracked vertebrae, and in a race against time to recover for the UCI BMX World Champs in Pietermaritzburg starting on 29 July.

The Centurion based star crashed after looping out in the technical rhythm section at the world class Alrode layout, and landed heavily on his coccyx, and was attended to immediately by ambulance personnel at the track.

Holdstock has undergone scans and X-Rays, confirming two cracked vertebrae. “Recovery is coming on slowly,” said Holdstock. “I am still very stiff and I feel like a bus has taken me down!”

Holdstock’s major crash was just one of a number of wipe-outs that gave supporters and fans anxious moments at Alrode on the weekend, marring what was an otherwise exceptional SA Champs.

276 eager riders made up what is being viewed as one of the best-attended, happiest and most competitive BMX meet ever held in the country.

“This weekend was awesome!” said Pietermaritzburg’s master class ace spokesperson Sharlene McGilvray, who returned flushed with excitement and adrenaline. The track was amazing and brilliantly prepared.”

“There were thrills and spills aplenty, with one of our best hopefuls, Dean Holdstock hitting the grit in spectacular fashion, and hurting his back quite badly,” she said.

“The novice category was well subscribed, and the rhythm section (a sections of track made up of up to three humps in quick succession) really tested ones ability to ride,” McGilvray said, adding that this is where most of serious crashes happened.

“The UCI Worlds track in Pietermaritzburg should have the same,” she said. “At the Alrode track the first straight after the start ramp and pop-out was really fast. You want that, as it gets you up to speed for the rest of the track. We’ll get that in PMB as well. Aspects of really tough and competitive tracks are replicated all over the world.”

“Riders from the age of four to 53 were there and there was such a nice vibe. I bottled some Howick weather and took it to Joburg with me and let a little bit out each day! It was fabulous! We couldn’t have hoped for better weather”, added McGilvray.

The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August. More information can be found at www.bmxworldchampspmb.co.za

ENDS

Mark Squire/
Gameplan Media

Mark Squire/
Gameplan Media

Mark Squire/
Gameplan Media