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Bias Gets Closer To BMX World Final

Bias placed 15th in the world and the result has given the Kiwi confidence to perform with the world’s most elite racers.

Bias placed 15th in the world and the result has given the Kiwi confidence to perform with the world’s most elite racers. Since basing himself out of France this year, BMX Rider Michael Bias has been competing tirelessly to gain experience on the competitive European circuit with an eye on the World Championship events.

Bias’ move to Europe was a critical step in building experience against the World’s best riders, racing on the world’s most challenging tracks and he set about contesting as many races as possible with an eye toward the premiere World Championship event in France late July.

His hard work paid off and a 9th placing in Scotland and 24th in Holland, Bias had done enough to qualify for the World Champs in the Elite Men’s category.

The gruelling first day elimination rounds of the World Champs ensure only the sport’s finest progress to the 1/8 finals, in each of these eliminators only the top four from each race can continue. Taking second position behind a local French rider and setting the seventh fastest time in the 1/8 finals, Bias along with 23 other riders successfully progressed through to the final day of competition.

Bias again demonstrated awesome pace in the quarter finals, taking second again behind a French favourite and moving into the semi-finals. The first Kiwi Elite Men’s competitor to do so since 2016.

Unfortunately, the Kiwi didn’t get the start he needed in the Semi finals and was shut out mid race and was unable to progress to the finals. However, he did ride away ranked 15th in the world, a result the young Kiwi says is a huge confidence boost.

“I’ve proven to myself how much speed I have against the World’s best, and I know it’s just a matter of time before I’m in that final.” Said Bias.

Bias now looks toward the last 4 rounds of the World Cup in Bogota, Colombia during September and October.

He will remain based in Besancon, France so he can continue to hone his craft on the aggressive European circuit and the local BMW club is sponsoring his French lessons at the university so he can communicate in the new environment.