Defending national champion in the 17-plus and 30-34 women’s classes, Jaclyn Wilson, headlines the Bendigo BMX Club riders.Maiden Gully’s Matt White, who rides for Frankston, is also hopeful of bringing back national trophies.

White won the 13-14 boys’ cruiser title and 14 boys’ 20-inch crown at last year’s titles in Mount Gambier.

This year’s titles will be raced at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler, which is home to Australia’s only BMX Supercross Track.

The Olympic standard circuit features two start ramps at 5m and 8m, with major double jumps, step-ups and a technical rhythm section.

It’s a world-class track which will challenge all riders, but Brett Hobbs is sure the more than 30 Bendigo BMX Club riders making the trip north will tackle the course head-on.

“I’d say this is the most riders we’ve had go. We had a fair few at Shepparton two years ago, but this year I reckon it would be the most,” the BMX club president said.

“They’re all getting pretty keen on it, the club’s growing like mad – we’re the fastest-growing club in Victoria with 125 members, up from about 30 this time last year. So we’re doing something right.

“They had their first lead-up events up there on Saturday. I know Jaclyn won her events.

“Jaclyn’s racing a really tough field this year in the 17-plus, so she’s definitely not a shoo-in, but we know she’s going to give it everything she’s got.

“Matt White’s a local, even though he’s with another club, we expect him to go really well again.” 

Cailen O’Grady has been in sizzling form on Victoria’s tracks and should be in contention for a national title, although BMX is one of the most unpredictable sports.

Once the gates go down anything can happen around the tight turns and spectacular jumps.

Hobbs’ daughters Meleia and Rhian, who was second at last year’s national titles, are likely to be there racing for the chequered flag in the younger divisions at Chandler.

The national BMX titles continue until Sunday.