Nanaimo BMX racers can call themselves grand champions after an international-calibre race this month in the Fraser Valley.
The Nanaimo BMX Association had a contingent of riders compete at BMX Canada Grand Nationals in Chilliwack from Oct. 6-8. Along with teams from B.C., Alberta, and California, more a dozen riders from Nanaimo participated in the races.
Rhyan (R.J.) Barfoot was one of the big winners, as she took the top spot in both the female pro am and the amateur girls’ championship on the final race day.
“R.J. is also a champion off the track, serving as a mentor and role model for many of the young female riders at [the Nanaimo] track, and showed it again on the podium as she invited several young girls from our track to share her championship moment and inspire the next generation of riders,” noted a club press release.
Another grand champion from Nanaimo is Ryley Colfield, who competed in the 16-year-old division and “made some big moves to take the win” and “showed off their hard work and dedication beating the international field in one of the hardest classes.”
Other grand national champions with wins on the final day included Darcy Glencross in the 36-40 cruiser division, Brayden Glencross in the nine-year-old intermediate class and Ambrose Zanchetta in the 1-2-year-old balance bike race.
Also, Charleigh Barfoot took second place in the 9-10-year-old mixed open division, Monroe Lambert was third in eight-and-under, Aliyah Glencross took second place in seven-year-old novice, Alex Chornyeko took second in five-and-under intermediate, Cohen Mooney was second in 15-year-old cruiser, Zachary Rush took third place in 17-to-20-year-old competition, and Craig MacDonald was second in 41-45-year-old intermediate.
“All Nanaimo BMX riders were amazing, with too many white-knuckle, heart-pounding moments to recount here,” noted the release.
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bailey.seymour@nanaimobulletin.com
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