Bunbury BMX star Lauren Reynolds is ready to take on the world’s best riders for the second weekend running as she contested rounds three and four of the UCI BMX World Cup in Zolder, Belgium.
The dual Olympian grabbed her first podium finish of the year in Papendal, Netherlands last weekend, finishing third in the round two final.
WATCH: Lauren Reynolds secure a podium finish in the Netherlands.
There have been just 10 female world cup rounds winners since 2007 and after claiming her fifth podium since 2010, Reynolds would dearly love to become the 11th in Belgium.
But she knows the competition in Zolder is going to be very tough.
“I always try to put my best foot forward on race day, and come in with a plan to give myself the best chance to be me and ride to my potential,” she said.
“If I can do that it should lead me to the success I want, if not I was just beaten on the day and I’ll keep looking forward.
“At this level of racing now, there’s never an easy race and I just try to be the best version of myself and be happy with that.
“These world cups are great preparation for the world championships in July, we ride against the same riders and the level is high. It’s a good measure and a good way to see what needs work leading into the worlds.”
While confidence is one thing, this weekend’s double-header returns to the location of the 2015 UCI BMX World Championships, where Reynolds finished 17th and was bailed out of the competition in the quarterfinals.
“I have mixed feelings about this race, going off the last world championships when a storm hit the track,” she said.
“Last time we weren’t able to race off the eight metre hill, so that will be a new experience for me this weekend.
“We’ve had a couple of sessions on the track and I do like it. It’s shorter, tighter and a more technical track in my eyes, so it will be key to maintain speed and stay smooth.”
Reynolds will be joined in the women’s contest by former Australian champion Leanna Curtis, who finished as a semi finalist in the first round of the world cup last week.
They will race the likes of Olympic and world champion Mariana Pajon of Columbia and last weekend’s winner Laura Smulders of the Netherlands.