It was the day that world champions came to Wishaw.
The UK qualifier for the Red Bull World Pump Track Championships saw competitors from across the country take to the Wishawhill Wood track. And there was plenty of support for local riders with Scottish success in the men’s event and a local coach who came out of retirement to win the women’s race.
In the women’s field former BMX world champion Dasha Polakova swept all before her.
Dasha, who has lived in Scotland for the past 12 years, represented Slovakia in a number of high profile events during which she had also won four European titles but missed out on competing at the Olympics due to a serious knee injury.
Speaking to the Wishaw Press before the event, Dasha, who has helped coach kids at the Craigneuk track, admitted she had been persuaded to give it a go by others but took the title with her nearest challenger two and a half seconds back.
She said: “This was my first time competing at this event.
“It was good fun, but really tiring. I’d forgotten how hard it is! The local support was amazing.”
In the men’s event, Mark Ducat was crowned the winner for the second year running securing a trip to compete in the finals in Oberried, Switzerland in October.
He added: “There was a lot more pressure this year compared to last year. To win again is unbelievable.”
