Brothers set for US mission

When Geraldton BMX sensation Corey Taylor boards a plane bound for the BMX World Championships in the US in July it will be with his little brother Lochie by his side.

The siblings finished in the top 16 at the BMX Australian National Championships in Brisbane from April 24-30, resulting in automatic invitations to compete in South Carolina.

Seven-time WA State champion Corey successfully defended his 2016 cruiser class national championship win in Brisbane and finished a close second in the final of the 20-inch class final to earn a 2A plate.

Lochie made it to a national championship final for the first time and returned home with the 8A plate in the 11 to 12-year-old cruiser class.

He narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Worlds in his 20-inch class but may yet receive a wildcard entry to compete if a spot becomes open, but qualified in the cruiser class.

The 11-year-old said he was thrilled to be joining his big brother on the world stage.

“I was really happy to make it to the final at nationals because I have been so many times but kept crashing in the semis,” Lochie said.

“It was nice to come home and tell everyone at school how I went.

“Doing it with Corey was fun too, I look up to him and he gives me tips and helps me train.”

The boys’ mother Elaine said it was a very emotional week watching her sons compete.

“Nationals is such an intense few days and for both of them to make it to the top was amazing,” she said.

“Getting to the finals has been a big fight for Lochie and I was crying when he made it.

“They both had a really good preparation going in, which was important.

“We got over there early and they spent time getting used to the track and the size of the jumps.”

While Corey has had a lot of experience on the bigger tracks as part of the National Series competition, for Lochie it was more of a challenge.

“The national circuit tracks are very different from the small country clubs he is used to,” Elaine said.

Woorree Park BMX Club president Bevan Orchard said the club was proud of both Corey and Lochie’s results at the national championships.

“What is even more exciting is the fact the results sees both boys now on a mission to win world plates in America in July,” he said.

“Team Taylor as we affectionately call the Taylor family is well and truly alive and kicking and it would really be amazing to have a world plate come from Geraldton.”