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Sarah Walker rides at the UCI BMW World Championship - Source: Photosport -
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Kiwi BMX rider Sarah Walker is ecstatic after taking out the UCI BMW World Championship in Adelaide on Saturday.
The 21-year-old totally dominated the opposition, winning all three qualifying motos, her semifinal and the final in a brilliant display.
"That's by far the best I have ever ridden," Walker said. "It's the first time that I have believed that I could do it. I have probably had the skill and ability to win in the past but I have not believed enough in myself.
"I've trained really hard for the last few months, and have been really strong in the gym. As soon as I rode the track I was feeling my bike and was at one with it. I just had confidence that I had the ability and I had done the work."
Walker was delighted with her form not only in the final but throughout the day's five rides.
"I absolutely nailed it. I won every lap today and was faster than anyone else in every round. You have got to be happy with that."
Her only disappointment was that last year's champion Shanaze Reade and Beijing silver medallist Laetiita Le Corguille were missing with injury.
"Some might say that this win was soft because they were missing. I would have loved to have had them here because I was riding that well I believe I would have still won and won really well.
"I won every race easily and my times were pretty fantastic throughout the day."
She was delighted with her sub-32 second time for the final, her best of the day.
Walker said she chose the inside lane so she only had one side to contend with physically, and while she did not get the same snap from the start, she nailed her first big jump.
"I still had some track room in that lane and I knew once I really hit that first jump that I was in a good place. Then I just had to concentrate and not make a mistake from then on."
The win also completes a trio of medals for Sarah as she won silver in 2007 in Canada and bronze last year in China.
Sunday sees the Cruiser Class world championships with Walker chasing a second world title for the weekend.
