American dream: Samson and Imogene McLean are asking for help to travel to the USA to compete in the BMX World Championships. Photos: Supplied
Echuca siblings Imogene (10) and Samson (8) McLean are two of the best young BMX riders in Australia.
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The pair have been invited to the USA to represent their country and ride in the 2024 BMX Racing World Championships in May, held in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The World Championships is the most prestigious event on the BMX racing calendar.
The McLean family have been Echuca residents for about a year, with the siblings born in Mildura. They’re appealing for help from the community to realise their dream of competing on the world stage.
“For costs, minimum, it’s going to be around $20,000 just to get there and compete,” dad Daryl Mclean said.
“So basically we’re just looking for help, mainly with airfares.”
Star rider: Imogene McLean is second in Victoria in her age group in Cruiser class.
Imogene is ranked second in Victoria and sixth in Australia in her age group for Cruiser class bikes and is fourth in the state in the 20“ class.
She is set to compete in both classes in the US, while brother Samson will compete in the 20“ class, where he is ranked eighth in the state, and also has an application pending to compete in the Cruiser class.
Pedal power: Samson McLean is training hard ahead of the World Championships.
“I felt surprised and happy,” Samson told the Riv at being invited to the World Championships.
“I am proud that we got into the Aus team.”
Imogene shared a similar sentiment.
“I was so happy and excited and the thought of wearing green and gold makes me feel proud.” She said.
The pair ride for Team 5ive and keep a busy schedule, training several times a week both in Shepparton and Bendigo — the closest tracks to Echuca — as well as travelling the state to compete in events.
“They’ve got school, they also do football, cricket and netball,” Daryl said of the kids’ commitments.
“The closest track is an hour away for us.
“We alternate between Shepparton and Bendigo, two totally different tracks.
“Shepparton’s quite a big track with big jumps, while Bendigo’s a technical type track.”
Imogene and Samson have loved BMX since they first started riding while living in the Northern Territory.
“I like racing the most because I get to race against other people and push myself to get better,” Imogene said.
The McLean family is offering promotion and endorsement to any businesses that want to assist Imogene and Samson on their journey.
“If businesses can give us hats and stuff with their company on it we can get photos in America with them on there,” Daryl said.
“Everyone that helps us out we’re going to do that and then give them a big photo of them in America in their gear.
If you would like to help Imogene and Samson travel to the US to represent Australia you can contact Daryl on 0448 607 144 or Holly on 0408 368 614.
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