Bunbury BMX rider Lauren Reynolds places sixth in Rio 2016 semi final

Last Wednesday night Perth time, Reynolds, who was ranked inside the world’s top 10, finished tenth of 16 in the seeding, completing the Rio circuit in 35.66 seconds. Fellow Australian Caroline Buchanan placed second in 34.75 seconds. 

The 16 women were then split over two semi-final groups with both Australians placed into group two. Over three races, the riders pushed to earn points to qualify for the final. 

Reynolds missed the jump in race one and finished sixth with Buchanan first across the line. Things did not improve for the Bunbury rider in race two, with a seventh place finish. 

Reynolds successfully navigated her way through the third race, keeping up with the pack to finish fourth, leaving her in sixth overall in semi-final group two. 

A nasty crash in race three relegated Buchanan back to fifth overall in semi-final group two with the top four from both groups progressing to the final. 

In the final Colombian world champion Mariana Pajon defended her London 2012 gold medal in 34.09 seconds ahead of American Alise Post (34.43) and Venezuelan Stefany Hernandez (34.75).