BikeNZ high performance rider Daniel Franks took out the elite title at the South Island BMX Championships in Rangiora at the weekend.
North Avon Christchurch rider Franks beat 18-year-old Trent Jones (Kaiapoi) and Matthew Davies (Christchurch).
These results signal great early season form for Franks and Jones, who will both travel to Perth in search of UCI points later this month for the Probikx series, as part of the BikeNZ team.
With no elite category on the women's side of the draw, teenager Tahlia Hansen (Rangiora) stole the show in taking out the 16+ years final as well as the 11-29 years cruiser class at her local Rangiora BMX Club circuit.
The two-time World Champion and six-time national champion, Hansen, beat home riders far her senior to further establish herself as the next Sarah Walker of New Zealand BMX.
Cayleb Martin (Christchurch) beat Davies and Franks to claim the Superclass title.
These championships came at a good time for South Island BMX riders as they prepare for the BMX National Championships on March 29 in Cambridge, and the UCI BMX World Championships in July at Vector Arena in Auckland.
