Wynn Vale BMX rider Anthony Dean wins silver medal at Manchester World Cup

RACING around Pooraka’s Cross Keys BMX Club track as a kid, Anthony Dean dreamt of battling the best riders — now he is a World Cup silver medallist.

RACING around Pooraka’s Cross Keys BMX Club track as a six-year-old, Anthony Dean dreamt of battling the world’s best.

The Wynn Vale resident’s ambition became a reality last month when he won a silver medal at the BMX World Cup in Manchester, UK.

“It was always a dream growing up, but I don’t think I ever actually thought I would make it,” Dean says.

“It started out as something fun for me, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve dedicated my life to chasing this.

“It’s been a long hard road to get there and it was a massive confidence booster getting second.”

Dean won his preliminary races and semi-final at Manchester’s National Cycling Centre to qualify for the eight-rider main event.

In front of more than 10,000 screaming fans, the 23 year old rode with maturity to finish just behind Great Britain’s Liam Phillips.

“Being the World Cup, obviously the world’s best are there.

“The crowd was wild and it was by far the best event I’ve ever been to.”

Dean says his introduction to BMX as a child at Cross Keys fuelled his early passion for the sport.

“Once I rolled down the (start) hill for the first time that was it for me. I went pretty hard from an early age and had plenty of crashes and broken bones when I was young.

“Cross Keys is a great family environment and all my friends growing up were into the same thing.

“Even now, 15 years later, I’m still friends with all the same people that were at the club back in the day.”

Dean last year landed a sponsored ride with Dale Holmes Racing, allowing him to be based in San Diego while competing in the US Pro Series.

On the weekend he finished second at the Australian Championships in Shepparton before jetting off to the Netherlands for round two of the World Cup.

“Living the dream and realising where you are, it’s a bit overwhelming,” he says.

“But you always need to remember exactly why you are there.

“You don’t want it to end so that’s why I’m always working twice as hard to keep it.”