In Sarasota, Florida, the community is rallying behind three young BMX riders who have qualified for the World Championships in Australia. A fundraiser was held at the historic Sarasota BMX track, the oldest continuously operating BMX track in the United States, to support these talented athletes.
Community Support for Young Athletes
The benefit race, held on a Friday night, aimed to raise funds to cover the travel expenses for the three riders, aged 7, 11, and 13. The funds raised will be evenly divided among the riders to ensure they can compete on the world stage.
Connor Beckley, a 13-year-old rider, expressed his excitement about the upcoming competition, stating, “Tonight is just a local night, but it’s the world’s benefit race. Me and those two other kids are going to the World Championships in Australia.”
Riders Austin Lumley, 11, and Caspian Reeves, 7, have been training rigorously for over three years, showcasing their dedication and discipline. Lumley emphasized the importance of hard training, while Reeves simply stated, “Ride a lot and fly.”
A Track with a Rich History
The Sarasota BMX track has a storied history, having opened in 1974. It was initially developed after the county cleared an open field, and in its early days, races were started with flags. Today, the track continues to prepare young riders for elite competition.
Track organizer Alice Bixler highlighted the track’s role in developing competitive talent, stating, “This track is so difficult that when a child really learns it and understands how to go over the jumps, how to go around the turns, how to take off from the starting hill, then boom, they’ve got the talent that they need to be more competitive.”
In addition to supporting the three riders heading to Australia, the track recently honored approximately 1,300 local riders who qualified for and completed their state championship racing season. Many young riders brought their trophies and bike number plates to the track to celebrate their achievements.
Looking Ahead to the World Championships
While the exact amount raised during the fundraiser is yet to be confirmed, the community’s support is evident. The World Championships will take place from July 17 to July 25, and the Sarasota riders are eager to compete against global talent.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
