Junior world title for rising BMX star
Photo:
Cole McOnie
Cambridge teenager Lily Greenough has overcome wet conditions to claim the junior women's title at the BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen.
The 17-year-old dominated the competition, winning her quarterfinal and semifinal. She was outstanding in the final, claiming the holeshot out of the gate and riding faultlessly on the sodden track to control the competition and claim the world championship honours.
The silver medallist last year, Greenough was thrilled to have won gold.
"Honestly it is incredible. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. Throughout the whole day, keeping it together especially in the wet weather - unbelievable. I can't believe it yet," said Greenough.
Lily Greenough (middle) with her gold medal for winning the 2025 Junior women's BMX Racing World Championship title.
Photo:
Cole McOnie
While the track held up relatively well in the constant rain, the soggy conditions were an additional challenge.
"I had to be more cautious in the wet through the corners because I didn't want to wash out or slip down the ramp. I had to be aware of the conditions and adapt to get the best outcome you possibly could," she said.
"The key for me was having my whole support system there with my family. Having my coach there especially helping me all the way through with lane picks, best lines in the conditions - that was the key today.
"I still can't believe it. It is a dream come true. It hasn't sunk in fully yet but it's such a cool experience with all the media and everything. It is so cool."
Her brother, Jack Greenough also made the final in the men's under-23 after winning his quarterfinal and placing fourth in his semifinal. After a bold move to recover on the first corner in the final, he misjudged the soggy jump on the second straight and came down to end hopes of a double family podium.
Greenough's elder brother Bennett missed out on the finals in his first year in the elite category.
In the elite competition, Olympian Rico Bearman and Michael Bias both went out in the quarterfinals.
Cambridge Olympian Leila Walker finished sixth in the semi-finals while Rotorua's Megan Williams was edged out in her quarterfinal.
Te Awamutu club rider Brooke Penney was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the under-23 women, pipped by just 0.06s in making it to the semifinals.
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