Mackay’s Connor and Aiden Parish head to France for BMX World Championships

Chasing their BMX dream was only ever about having fun for these two brothers but after their Oceania Championships rides, they have booked themselves a trip to France.

When the Parish family begin their two day journey from Mackay Airport they will be far from the only Australians headed for the European summer.

However they will be a part of a small group on their way to Nantes, France to compete at the 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Championships.

Brothers Connor, 16 and Aiden, 13 both qualified for the event at the recent Oceania Championships in Brisbane, and in turn booked their first ever overseas holiday.

Both brothers having been racing BMX since they were six years old, with the trip to serve as a crowning achievement in their time involved with the sport.

The event beginning on July 26 and ending July 31 will draw about 3000 competitors from across the world and some of the very best riders the sport has to offer.

Mackay Brothers Connor Parish, 16, and Aiden Parish, 13, are travelling to the 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Championships, to be held in Nantes, France from July 26- 31. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

One of those, who has been a personal hero for Connor and Aiden, is Dutch cyclist and Olympic gold medallist Niek Kimman.

The Parish boys were hopeful they could snag a photo with him at some point over the week of racing.

Despite their adoration for the Dutch superstar, the boys are proud to represent their country.

For their parents Kai and Tammie, it means they also are off to France for the first time.

“There’s a few things that I’m interested in, we have never been before so it is more just about experiencing the whole event, what it is going to be,” Mrs Parish said.

The parents have been described as “extremely supportive and active club members” at Mackay and District BMX.

Mr Parish always helps around the club with works and mowing, while Mrs Parish is a state level official.

Mrs Parish thanked the club for its support of her boys and for the fundraiser that helped make the trip happen.

The boys put the recent merger of the Mackay and Walkerston clubs as one of the things that had fast-tracked their development.

The two clubs’ combined resources allowed the boys to train on two different tracks and improve as riders.

After their Australian selection, the boys believe a spot at the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane may be within reach.

They hope to see a world-class BMX facility in Mackay soon to ensure they have every chance of competing with the riders in the south east corner.

The Mirani State High School boys said it was the adrenaline rush and competition that drives them to keep improving on the track

Local Moranbah riders Hudson and Cordell Daley will also head to France.