Bacchus Marsh BMX clubbers to represent Australia

COMPARED to other regional centres, Bacchus Marsh BMX club might be considered small with its 30 active members.

However, seven of those qualified to represent their country at the 2026 BMX Racing World Championships this month in Brisbane.

Harry Holland, Olivier Hoarau, Bailey Stewart, Tyson Stewart, Adel Stewart, Kaitlyn Odgers and Brian Slatter all were selected to challenge at least 2500 other riders during the event beginning Friday 17 July.

“As a pretty small regional BMX club with about 30 active racing members, seven qualified riders is an amazing result that we’re really proud of for our riders and the amazing opportunity they will get to race against the best riders around the world,” BMBMX club president Juliette Holland said.

Holland said the club benefited from having a great racetrack to train on.

“It was built by council with the support of the club in 2018/19,” she said.

“It’s a UCI standard racetrack designed to support both younger challenge riders but also has a pro/elite section that is for the more elite level of racing.”

The club’s strategic plan for the track, she said, was to continue increasing services that will attract more members and riders.

“Through track upgrades, concreting our gigantic berms to reduce maintenance, and hopefully a sports lighting project in the near future that will allow our club to run more events all year around – especially during winter when we are limited by daylight hours,” Holland said.

She said the Moorabool Shire Council, Community Bank Bacchus Marsh and local businesses have been supportive of the club, and that they were always looking for new members and riders.

Slatter, who was set for the 44-49 Men’s Challenge and Cruiser classes, will not race because of a ruptured achilles.

“BMX blood runs through Brian’s veins so we’re sure he’ll be back next year,” Holland said.

Hoarau, who will represent France due to an UCI ruling, is racing Masters – a class below Elite level racing – and came second at the national championship in Shepparton in April.

“He’s extremely quick and he would be hoping to make the finals at worlds,” Holland said.

Harry Holland will compete in the 13 Boys Challenge Class.

“Harry is hoping to finish in the top 40 riders in a very competitive class and has his sights set for further international events and maybe even 2032/36 Olympics,” the club president and proud mum said.

Bailey Stewart will go to his second world championship competing in the 30-34 Men’s Challenge, while brother Tyson Stewart will race in the 25-29 Men’s Challenge class.

Adel Stewart, who is married to Bailey and has returned to racing after having their first child, has two consecutive days of competition lined up when she competes in the 25-29 Women’s Challenge and Cruiser classes.

Odgers qualified from a competitive field of 65 Australian women to compete in the 17-24 age class.