Media release

29 May 2008

 

 

First Gold on day one of BMX World Champs in China

 

 

Australia has claimed one gold and two silver medals on the first day of competition at the World Championships

 in Taiyuan, China. Gold Coast youngster, Karlten Wolsey, won gold in the 10 year boy class for 20 inch. 

Wolsey clashed with the defending world champion from Canada, Parker Simson, in the first corner 

but got the advantage and retained the lead.

 

Wolsey won his first gold medal at six but the number one plate eluded him every year. 

The closest was in 2006 when Wosley gained a silver in Brazil.

 

In the final race Wolsey confessed he was nervous after clashing with the defending world 

champion. Simson. through the motos.

 

“Before my race I was bit scared because he (Simson) knocked me off in the second race and I 

was a bit nervous but I used it to my advantage in the final,” said Wolsey.

 

“I had a really good gate not my best gate and Parker was in lane eight and he gave me a bit of nudge 

with the elbow so I returned the favour. He went up the corner but didn’t crash. I was a bit wobbly 

but I rode my hardest,” explained Wolsey.

 

Even at ten years old, Wolsey has his sights set on the 2016 Olympics.

 

Another Nerang BMX club member, Madison Janssen, claimed silver in the 14 girls. Another silver

 was claimed in the 14 boys by Western Australian rider Ryan Van Vugt.

 

The challenge classes continue tomorrow and on Saturday the elite riders line up in their 

final Olympic selection race before the sport debuts in Beijing in two months time.