*** World Cycling Centre BMX Trainees: Focus On The Worlds And The Olympics ***

Aigle, Switzerland ( UCI News ) -- 02/23/2012



Over the next seven months, the lives of 14 talented young BMX athletes
will revolve around the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland.

These three women and 11 men from nine different countries have nearly
all arrived at the centre in Aigle, Switzerland, where WCC coach Thomas
Allier will help them develop their talent and their potential so that they
can achieve their goals.

For all of them, these goals include the UCI BMX World Championships
in Birmingham (GBR) in May. Some can even aim higher: three or four
have a chance to qualify for the London Olympics, according to Allier.

“It’s my dream to go to the Olympics,” says South Africa’s Teagan O’Keeffe,
training at the WCC for her third season. “I would really like to represent my
country.”

To do so she needs a semi-final placing at the Worlds. She has arrived
at the WCC more motivated than ever and in a positive frame of mind
after finishing the 2011 season on a positive note. She was particularly
delighted with her qualification for the semi-finals of the London round
of the 2011 UCI BMX Supercross.


Photo: 2012 WCC BMX team.

Ecuador’s Fausto Endara is also back at the WCC to maximise his chances
for an Olympic qualification. Having already spent a season at the WCC,
Fausto knows his coach well and is familiar with the infrastructures, which
include a Supercross track, indoor facilities and gym. He is therefore ready
to get straight down to work.

“I already trained with Thomas last year so I know
how he works and what I need to do to improve.”

He also looks forward to training with the other athletes, all as motivated
as he: “That’s the best. If you train by yourself it’s not so good. You’ve got
to have someone to push you.”

Despite this internal rivalry, the athletes strike up very close friendships,
adds Thomas Allier. “The good thing about this discipline is that it creates
a very close-knit group. The athletes become good friends.”

For the moment, Thomas Allier is observing this new young intake, some
of whom have been spotted during races, others recommended by their
National Federations.

“They all have a different level. I know some of these athletes very well
already, but others not. For the moment we are in a phase of adaptation
and evaluation. Depending on the results of this, I will establish a personalised
programme for each athlete.”

During their season at the WCC, all will race in European competitions.
All will participate in the 2012 UCI BMX Supercross. All will compete in
the World Championships. And some may even live their Olympic dream.

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