Okotoks BMX is taking on the world this month.
Jaxon Gillespie-Burke is returning to the stage for a second year in a row with a large contingent of teammates Tyler Layton, Harrison Layton, Levi Gillespie, Lucas Gillespie, Jackson Krsa, along with Dylan Thomas, this go around at the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina on May 15.
“It’s my first time at worlds and first time getting an N-plate,” said Krsa, 11. “I’m really excited to go, I’ve been to nationals twice and it’s a big thing for me.
“I’m a little scared if I’m going to qualify or not, but it’s a big experience and a once in a lifetime thing.”
Gillespie-Burke, 11, competed at the 2023 worlds event in Glasgow, Scotland.
“You don’t have to be nervous,” he said. “If you are then you won’t do good in the gates and don’t miss your moto.”
The Layton brothers, Tyler, 12, and Harrison, 10, are ready to go.
“I’m excited because it’s my first time going to worlds and I’m scared because the guys out there are rough,” said Harrison.
Tyler, also new to worlds, is no stranger to high level competition with national events on his resumé.
“It’s really busy and depending on the age group, there can be a lot of people,” he said.
To get ready to take on worlds, Tyler has travelled to Olds weekly to train on its indoor track.
The track at Rock Hill lives up to its name with a big start hill.
That can be an advantage or a disadvantage.
“It can be bad or good,” Tyler added. “It just depends on your gate and how strong you are.”
Siblings Lucas, 8, and Levi Gillespie, 12, have looked to get prepared biking around the house with Mother Nature preventing training opportunities at the local track.
They both said staying focused and trying hard will be the gameplan for South Carolina.
For more information, go to okotoksbmx.com.
