Nanaimo has a world-class pump track, and also world-class riders.
That was proven Saturday as a Red Bull Pump Track World Championship series race was held at Nanaimo’s Stevie Smith Bike Park and local riders swept the men’s pro division.
Ben Leslie won the first-ever international event at the track, earning first in a huge field of 67 competitors. Dillon Butcher placed second and Nate Berkheimer was third.
In the women’s division, Harriet Burbidge-Smith of Canberra, Australia, finished first with Karsen Tielen of Langley second and Erin Kinnie of Burnaby third.
Nanaimo was the only series stop in Canada. The world championship race will be Oct. 13 in Springdale, Ark.
RELATED: World-class pump track race in Nanaimo has a lot of people pumped
Our photographer @ChrisBushphotog was at Stevie Smith Bike Park today to take pictures of practice runs in advance of tomorrow's Red Bull Pump Track World Championship series race… https://t.co/2OLKtHaqxC #Nanaimo pic.twitter.com/RfR0VU71R5
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) August 4, 2018