Young Geraldton BMX star Corey Taylor blitzes Olympic foes

Geraldton’s fastest BMX rider, Corey Taylor, is now the highest ranked Junior Elite competitor in Union Cycliste Internationale World Cup rankings. Corey competed against the world’s best in the first two rounds of the 2020 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, held earlier this month at Shepparton, Victoria, and Bathurst, NSW. With Junior Elite and Elite riders competing in the same division, the 17-year-old rode shoulder-to-shoulder with Olympic athletes, finishing first among Junior Elite riders and 37th overall. Because most World Cup rounds are held in Europe, it was the first time Corey had competed in such an event. “The riding is a lot more intense being with the older riders — the racing style is totally different,” he said. Corey’s mum Elaine said it was an amazing opportunity for him. “These races are probably the highest you can get to next to the Olympics,” she said. “To think a country kid is there racing against that calibre of talent, I was just over the moon.” The second day of racing in Bathurst was called off because of strong winds. “Some people got injured in the first race, so they called it off,” Corey said. “The weather was just un-rideable.” Corey will now be training harder than ever in preparation for the National Titles in Tasmania in late March. If all goes well, he will qualify for the next World Championship event in America. “That’s my motive, I want to finish my last year as a Junior Elite on a high,” Corey said. Meanwhile, he dominated the first BMX WA State Round in Bunbury last weekend, winning all four races in the Superclass division despite being the youngest competitor. In October, Taylor won his ninth BMX WA State Championships title.