British Cycling has today confirmed the six riders who will represent the Great Britain Cycling Team at the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships in Rock Hill, USA.
Liam Phillips, the world champion in 2013 and the world cup series winner in both 2014 and 2015, has made selection pending a full recovery from the hand and wrist injury sustained in February. Fellow Olympian Kyle Evans, who won the seventh round of the UEC BMX European Cup in Verona over the weekend, has also made selection and they will be joined by senior academy rider Paddy Sharrock who is set to make his elite level debut.
In the junior women’s event, Beth Shriever heads to Rock Hill with five victories in the junior women’s class of the UEC BMX European Cup so far this season having also stepped up to make the finals in the elite women’s class at World Cup level this year. Shriever is joined by Blaine Ridge-Davis who has had a consistent season finishing on the podium four times so far at the UEC BMX European Cup series.
Kye Whyte will represent Great Britain in the junior men’s class, having shown some real progress over the course of the season culminating in a victory at the UEC BMX European Cup last weekend.
Olympic podium coach Grant White said: “Every rider we’ve selected for this year’s world championships has really impressed me throughout the course of the year and as well as seeing their individual development, we’re also starting to see results on the international stage.
“Obviously, Liam hasn’t been able to race much this season due to his injury but he’s working hard to make sure he’s on the start gate in Rock Hill. Having worked with Liam for nine years and helped him develop into one of the world’s best, I am confident in his ability to perform at this world championship event despite setbacks and the team at British Cycling are doing all they can to aid his recovery.
“Kyle Evans has performed strongly in 2017, resulting in some European Cup podium results and strong performances at the World Cups. Kyle continues to progress and will be looking for a strong showing in Rock Hill, a track which Kyle enjoys performing on as it suits his attributes. Paddy Sharrock is still very much in the development stage of his elite BMX career, however his recent performances show signs that he has the required attributes to be successful as the years progress. Rock Hill will be another valuable experience for Paddy on the road to Tokyo and beyond.
“Beth Shriever has achieved five first place finishes in the European Series in 2017, and in the process is showing that she’s ready to perform on the world stage. Beth gained valuable experience out in Rock Hill at the 2016 World Cup, and will be looking to combine her current performance with her Rock Hill familiarity in an attempt to build upon her eighth place result at the 2016 World Championships. Blaine Ridge-Davis has performed strongly in the 2017 European Series and has stood on the podium on four occasions which has been great to see. Blaine hasn’t ridden on the Rock Hill track; however she’s looking forward to working hard in her final preparations and representing Great Britain alongside Beth in the junior women’s class.
“Looking at the rider we’ve selected for the junior men’s class, Kye Whyte is showing great form which has produced some strong race performances in 2017. Kye’s technical performance and race delivery have been key aspects of this, and I know Kye is looking forward to the challenge that a world championships in the USA will present.”
Great Britain Cycling Team for 2017 UCI BMX World Championships, USA
Elite Men
Kyle Evans
Liam Phillips
Paddy Sharrock
Junior Women
Beth Shriever
Blaine Ridge-Davis
Junior Men
Kye Whyte
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