Boost Mobile Freestyle BMX Invitational to feature at Adelaide 500

The Adelaide 500 just got a little different – with some of Australia’s best BMX riders vying for a chance to ride at the Olympics and a share of $50,000.

Some of the world’s best BMX riders will take the next step towards the Paris Games at this month’s VAILO Adelaide 500.

The popular motorsport race will also play host to the Boost Mobile Freestyle BMX Invitational, which doubles as an Olympic qualification event for international riders including newly-crowned world champion Kieran Reilly (England), Rim Nakamura (Japan), Daniel Sandoval (US) and Australian four-time XGames medallist Jaie Toohey.

Adelaide 500 chief executive Mark Warren said he expected the riders would provide plenty of entertainment for racegoers when they hit the track daily in the TrAction Zone.

“Even more exciting this year is that most of the riders will be putting everything on the line as they chase Olympic Qualification points … it’s going to be a high-flying spectacle, not to be missed,” he said.

Young BMXers Penelope Blackwell, 9, and 11-year-old Jayden Bradbrook are looking forward to watching their BMX heroes in action. Picture: Dean Martin

Winners will share in a $50,000 purse.

Two of Adelaide’s rising cycling stars, Penelope Blackwell and Jayden Bradbrook, said they couldn’t wait to watch all the action from November 23-26.

“Being able to watch our heroes battle for a place on the Olympic team in our home state is very special,” said Penelope, who along with Jayden, made their mark on the world stage last month at the UCI World BMX Championships in Scotland.

Jayden, who clinched the under-11 world champion title, said: “I hope to compete in this invitational one day and I can’t wait to soak up all the off track action.”