Sam Willoughby of Australia, the reigning world champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist, is among the headliners participating in the final event of the 2012 BMX Supercross World Cup series this weekend in Abbotsford.
The women’s field also features plenty of star power, with world champ Magalie Pottier of France and Olympic bronze medalist Laura Smulders of the Netherlands.
Among the other high-profile riders in attendance are World Cup points leaders Connor Fields (USA) and Caroline Buchanan (Australia).
This weekend's races mark the first Supercross World Cup event to be held in Canada, and the results will decide who will be crowned 2012 series champion in both the men’s and women’s series.
Coquitlam’s Tory Nyhaug is fifth overall in the World Cup rankings and will be aiming for his first World Cup win. A victory on home soil would vault him into third place in the final standings, and a share of the purse of $150,000.
"We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious and exciting BMX competition," said Keith Ryan, CEO of Cycling BC. "Many of the world's best BMX athletes are competing this weekend, so the spectators will see some great racing."
The time trial runs Friday, followed by the traditional BMX race on Saturday. The schedule of events is as follows:
FRIDAY, SEPT. 14
1 p.m. – Elite women time trial qualification
1:40 p.m. – Elite men time trial qualification
4 p.m. – Elite women time trial super final
4:30 p.m. – Elite men time trial super final
5 p.m. – Time trial super final awards ceremony
SATURDAY, SEPT. 15
11 a.m. – Autograph session (venue expo area)
1:10 p.m. – Elite women quarter-final, first round
Elite men 1/8 final, first round
Elite women quarter-final, second round
Elite men 1/8 final, second round
Elite women quarter-final, third round
Elite men 1/8 final, third round
3:40 p.m. – Elite men quarter-finals
Elite women semifinals
Elite men semifinals
4:30 p.m. – Elite women final
4.40 p.m. – Elite men final
4:50 p.m. – Awards ceremony