Day at the bike track results in world champs beckoning

Havelock North local Mark Gilbert was there as a track-side mechanic until he got the nod to give the event a go – and he ended up qualifying for the world champs.

The Hawke’s Bay BMX Club pump track in Havelock North gave rise to an accidental qualifier at the 2024 UCI Pump Track World Championship Qualifier and NZ event held there on the weekend [Aug 31-Sep 1].

Contenders for a shot at the worlds descended on Romanes Park from around the country – an event open to anyone aged over 17 years, run in tandem with the NZ Pump Track Nationals competition.

Havelock North local Mark Gilbert, a landscaper by day with Baywide Dingos, and part-time cycle mechanic for Revolution Bikes, was there as a track-side bike mechanic.

“One of the organisers convinced me to put my name in the hat, so I joined in and ended up getting fourth place and qualifying for the world champs - so there is potential to go and compete in South Africa in November.”

The pump track was opened in September last year, after Council extended the area of land leased to the club to enable it to build an all-wheel track to complement the existing BMX track.

Funding support for the new all-wheels track to be built came from Lotteries Commission, Pub Charity, Eastern and Central Community Trust, New Zealand Community Trust, Hastings District Council, Lion Foundation and First Light Community Foundation.

The track is well utilised by the community, with people on all kinds of bikes there most days, all overseen by the hardworking BMX Club volunteers.

“It’s an awesome little pump track - you can see all the kids coming down here and having a good time, and building up their skills as well.”

12 September 2024

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