Champions roll in

Ryan Martin,  of Hamilton, Josh Smith,  of Cromwell, and Cailen Calkin,  of Hamilton, at Cromwell with their BMX bikes yesterday. Photo by Leith Huffadine.
Ryan Martin, of Hamilton, Josh Smith, of Cromwell, and Cailen Calkin, of Hamilton, at Cromwell with their BMX bikes yesterday. Photo by Leith Huffadine.
It is not often a young athlete gets to rub shoulders with a world champion - or a double world champion.

Even less likely to have two double world champions staying in their own home.

However, for Cromwell teen Josh Smith (14), it is a reality this weekend.

And not only are the two double world champions staying with him, they are New Zealanders, and they are both younger than him.

Josh and Hamilton teens Cailen Calkin and Ryan Martin (both 13) are all BMX riders and are competing in the South Island BMX Titles in Alexandra this weekend.

Cailen and Ryan won their respective categories at the world championships when they were held in New Zealand in 2013.

Following their success, they repeated the effort in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, in 2014.

Despite having people ask for their autographs, becoming popular on social media, featuring in newspapers and acquiring sponsors, the two still enjoy competing in places like Alexandra.

The track is not what they are used to. It has dirt and gravel berms and, at 480m long, is longer than their usual 350-360m tracks.

Josh said people often struggled when on the track for the first time.

''It's quite different. You can't turn as sharp because the corners are really loose ... and it is longer. [I have] a wee bit of a home-town advantage.''

Cailen said racing on the track was like going from road to dirt.

''It's good practice to try out a new track. Each one brings something new.''

All three were aiming for top positions in their categories during racing today and tomorrow.

Cailen and Ryan said they trained in a gym and on a BMX track up to six times a week.

Josh trains about three times a week.

Josh's father, Gary Smith, a member of the Cromwell Bike Park Committee, which aims to set up a BMX track and bike park in the town, said it was ''great'' for young riders to see athletes like Cailen and Ryan at the event.

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