BMX rider Declan to compete for Australian Test team in New Zealand

BMX rider Declan Jaehne will compete for the Australian Test team in New Zealand after stellar results at Nationals.

BMX rider Declan Jaehne has returned from the National Championships placing second in the under-14 boys and in the National Champbikx competition.

These results have seen the 14-year-old from Cranebrook selected for the Senior National Test Team to tour New Zealand in October.

“I was very excited to be picked for the tour,” Declan said.

“Training gets more ­intense now, to build up my speed and get faster and stronger to compete against the Kiwis.

Declan in action at the Penrith BMX Club track in St Marys. Picture: Matt Sullivan

“It’s a big experience at the nationals, the first time you go it’s like a big awakening, the atmosphere, there’s lots of people, big tracks and big hills.”

Following in his older brother’s footsteps, Declan started riding when he was five years old and has since competed at various national championships, won a state crown and competed at the World Titles.

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“I love the adrenaline,” he said. “It was a big influence having my older brother at training. I’ve always had somebody to chase to get better, and I would make him train harder.”

Declan trains five to six days a week in between school.

Declan came second in the 14 boys and second in the overall National Champbikx competition. Picture: Matt Sullivan

“I mainly want to get ­experience in NZ and to see how close I am to the older riders,” he said.

“One of my dream goals is to be chosen on the Olympic team. I also want to get a world plate.

“This year I qualified for Worlds but won’t be able to go, so it’s on a list which I want to do again.”

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