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Tory Nyhaug on the podium at first UCI BMX Supercross World Cup

BMX Supercross World Cup winners 2014 Manchester

Coquitlam, B.C.’s Tory Nyhaug had a strong start to this year’s UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester, U.K., with a third place finish on Saturday.

“I felt good and fast today,” Nyhaug said. “It was one of those days where it didn’t come in easy and I had to work for everything. I am pretty happy to start the World Cup season on the podium, and we’ll be ready for the next one. The prep has gone really well for this race, so I’ll keep doing more of the same for the next race. I have a few weeks off, which will be nice because I have been racing lots this spring.”

The bronze at the first event on the World Cup calendar marks Nyhaug’s third Supercross podium. On Friday, he finished fifth in the time trial event.

Fellow Canadian James Palmer of North Vancouver, B.C., made it to the semifinals, finishing 25 overall.

The Canadian squad included two other riders who went to Manchester. Corey Walsh of Ayr, Ont. had to race in the qualifying rounds the previous day. He crashed in the third and final moto. “I am doing good,” Walsh said following Friday’s events, “a little banged up and bruised my hips and hit my head. I’ll be ready for the next World Cup race in Papendal [Holland]. I’ll try to ride more and get more track time leading up to the next race and make sure everything is dialled in.” Jimmy Brown from Airdrie, Alta., was unable to race in the qualifying rounds because of injuries he sustained while training in Manchester.

“I am very excited for the 2014 season,” said Ken Cools, head coach of the Canadian BMX team. “The riders showed some great poise, and the quality of the riders in this event was top notch. [Saturday’s race] had to be one of the hardest races in BMX, and James Palmer came away to the quarter-finals and Tory Nyhaug taking the third place. The team worked well, we had a couple of ups and downs, with Jimmy and Corey both going down with hopefully minor injuries. The team culture is at an all-time high, and we are working great together right now.”

Liam Phillips, the current BMX world champion, was the hometown favourite. He won Friday’s time trial and Saturday’s Supercross World Cup. “Winning here is so different than winning the elite men’s world title in New Zealand,” Phillips said. “That was amazing but this is different, a lot more emotional. There was a lot more pressure and when you actually deliver it just feels amazing.” Australian Anthony Dean finished second on Saturday ahead of Nyhaug.

Australian Caroline Buchanan won the women’s supercross event. She did not race in 2013 and has returned to racing in top form.

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