Sakakibara, Reynolds and Kennedy progress to BMX Racing semi-finals

Australia has had a successful start to it BMX Racing campaign at Paris 2024, with Saya Sakakibara, Lauren Reynolds and Izaac Kennedy all progressing through to the semi-finals.

BMX Racing kicked off at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium with the quarterfinals, which saw 24 men and 24 women battling it out across three runs, to finish in the top 12 and secure a spot straight into the semifinals tomorrow night.

Saya Sakakibara, 24, put on a masterclass on her way to winning all three of her runs, cruising into the semi-finals. The Southlake-Illawarra BMX Club rider consistently posted the fastest lap times, with her best of 34.37 seconds.

Compatriot Lauren Reynolds, competing in her fourth Olympic Games, also safely progressed through the semifinals after a solid quarterfinals performance.

The 33-year-old from Bunbury finished fourth in her first run, then third in her second and third runs to qualify in 9^th.

In the men's event, it was a shaky start for Izaac Kennedy in his first race back since breaking his wrist at the world championships two months ago.

The 23-year-old from the Gold Coast, still riding with a fractured wrist, had some work to do after finishing fifth in his first run.

But he continued to improve and found his rhythm as the day progressed, to finish 3^rd in his second run, and ended the day on top winning his third run.

The result saw him qualify in 6^th.

Their focus now turns to semifinals and a shot at the medals tomorrow night.

What they said

Saya Sakikibara

“This week was a lot of emotion. I missed the training session because I was sick, and when I came back I wasn’t feeling my best. But once I got up there on the first gate, the crowd, that atmosphere, that got me in the zone. I was counting on that pressure to get the best out of me.

“It was definitely a big confidence booster. I made minimal mistakes, they were really consistent runs.

“I’m just going to give it all I’ve got. I want to walk away proud from what I did.”

Lauren Reynolds

“I had some good laps, stuck to my process and I think it went pretty well, so we’re in good shape.

“I’ve really leaned on that (experience) just knowing what to expect, it doesn’t get easier and I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been, I feel faster than I’ve ever been, so there’s that element. I actually feel really capable and that adds pressure, but I know my process, so I’m just going to lean on that and lean on experience and hope for the best.”

Izaac Kennedy

“I wasn’t too happy with the entire day overall. It was a bit of a rough start but I think I turned it around so it was all good.

“I think it was a bit of nerves, I haven’t raced in a while, but I think I turned it around pretty well, so I look forward to tomorrow.

“It (my wrist) hurts for sure, but once you get out there and the adrenaline starts pumps, adrenaline is a good pain killer.

“It would mean everything to me (to medal). I’ve been working toward this since I was 3 years old and I’m in good shape to get it done.”

Photos: Getty images