Tory Nyhaug dominates Canadian BMX championships

On Saturday, Tory Nyhaug of Coquitlam, B.C., won his eighth Canadian BMX championships in Drummondville, Que., since turning elite a mere four years ago. Nyhaug finished ahead of James Palmer of North Vancouver and James Brown of Airdrie, Alta., who finished third. After both Palmer and Nyhaug successfully won their two opening motos leading up to the main event, the final moto looked primed to be a close battle. Nyhaug ended up winning comfortably finishing well ahead of Palmer in the final.

Nuhaug is adamant that even after winning eight elite national titles the level of competition is rising in Canada and that motivates him. Additionally, his successes on the World stage have given a taste of prowess at the sport’s highest level.  Nyhaug finished second earlier this year at the UCI BMX world championships.

Amelia Walsh of Ayr, Ont., defended her national title from last year in the elite women’s competition. Like Nyhaug, Walsh won both the time trial on Friday night and the BMX Championships on Saturday. However, the women’s race was a much tighter race. In the qualifying motos Walsh was beaten by Drew Mecheilsen (Cycling BC) who is actually a junior rider. After finishing second and third in the first two motos, everything had to go perfectly for Walsh in the main event. She had to win the final heat, while Meheilsen had to finish third in order to win. Both Walsh and Mechielsen tied for the win after finshing 1-2-3 in the three motos. Walsh was awarded the tie-break for finishing first in the ultimate race of the day.

In the junior men’s competition Tanner Vandenhoven of Didsbury, AB had a perfect day after winning all three of his motos.

Full results and report can be found at Cycling Canada.