WILLOUGHBY AND BUCHANAN CROWNED NATIONAL BMX CHAMPIONS

BMX, April 30: London Olympic hopefuls Sam Willoughby and Caroline Buchanan have produced world class performances at the 2011 BMX Australia National Championships, in front of a capacity crowd in Cairns.

The pair were both crowned National Elite champions after a series of impressive rides on a frantic day of finals at the Cairns BMX Club.

Over 3000 people crammed into the track to see the cream of Australia's BMX High Performance riders and the emerging stars of the exciting addition to the Olympic program.

And they weren't disappointed as first 21-year-old Buchanan, from Tuggeranong in the ACT, charged out of the stating gate.

She was never headed as she led all the way to win her second National title from the Gold Coast's Rachael Bracken on a countback from Western Australia's Lauren Reynolds after the pair dead-heated for second.

"I was actually really nervous before this race but I was determined to get off to a flying start and then hang on with out making any mistakes," said Buchanan, who has now added her second National title to this year's Probikx Series win.

"The crowd was great and they created an awesome atmosphere at one of the best tracks there is in Australia.

"I came here to try and race as consistently as I possibly could and that's what have done."

LISTEN TO CAROLINE'S 2SM TALKIN SPORT INTERVIEW {audio}/images/stories/news-articles/audio/caroline buchanan interview 2sm talkin sport.mp3{/audio}

Then 20-year-old us-based South Australian, Willoughby, powered out of the pack on the first bend to beat a red-hot men's field, ahead of three-time Series winner and fellow South Australian Brian Kirkham and Victorian Joshua Callan third.

For Willoughby, one of the hottest riders on the world BMX circuit, it was his first Elite National crown and another step towards ticking the ultimate Olympic box in 15 months time.

"To come home from the US and win my first National Elite Championship is a huge thing because anything can happen out there on the track," said Willoughby.

"There is so much string depth among the Australian riders with Brian (Kirkham) riding so well and Khalen (Young) also back from America.

"You have to be right on your game every time you race but it was exciting to come home, race well and do it in front of a big crowd."

Both Buchanan and Willoughby gave the Cairns BMX Club track a huge thumbs up.

"I have raced on the best tracks in the US and this track is right up there," said Willoughby.

"Congratulations must go out to BMX Australia and the Cairns club for putting on a great event on a great track."

2011 BMX AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS, Cairns, Day  2:

BOYS

14 Years Brandon Te Hiko (Geelong, Vic), Ben Fletcher (Southern Districts, WA), Clayton Zarb (Mackay Pioneer, Qld)

15 years Tristyn Kronk (Walkerston, Qld), Aaron Nottle (Westside, WA), Kyle Bottesen (Redlands, Qld)

16 years Jack Buchhorn (Mackay Pioneer, Qld), Joey Graham (Hills, WA) Kyle Hughes (LMX Bicycle Supercross, NSW)

MEN

Masters Julian Lim (Beenleigh, Qld), Michael Wallin (Walkerston, Qld), Nathan Graves (Toowoomba, Qld)

Junior Elite Darryn Goodwin (Hills WA), Bodi Turner (Eastfield, Vic), Corey Frieswyk (Mackay Pioneer, Qld)

Elite Sam Willoughby (Happy Valley, SA), Brian Kirkham (Cross Keys, SA), Joshua Callan (Lillydale, Vic)

GIRLS

14 years Annaliese Rokov (The Cove SA), Rachelle Smith (Bunbury, WA), Abbie Blackburn (Bundaberg, Qld)

15 years Jade Parker (Bundaberg, Qld), Harriet Burbidge-Smith (Canberra, ACT, Madeline Hidalgo (Liverpool City, NSW)

16 years Sarah Harvey (Pine Rivers, Qld), Rachel Jones (Lake Macquarie, NSW), Macey Gore (Ashmore, Qld)

WOMEN

Junior Elite Melinda McLeod (Walkerston, Qld), Madison Janssen (Nerang, Qld), Leanna Curtis (Southlake, NSW)

Elite Caroline Buchanan (Tuggeranong, ACT), Rachel Bracken (Nerang, Qld), Lauren Reynolds (Bunbury, WA)