General News
21 July, 2022
From Camperdown to France
FROM cruising the streets of Camperdown to flying to France to compete in the 2022 World BMX Championships – Simon Cooper is taking the challenge in his stride.
FROM cruising the streets of Camperdown to flying to France to compete in the 2022 World BMX Championships – Simon Cooper is taking the challenge in his stride.
Born and bred in Camperdown, Mr Cooper moved to Ballarat about 12 years ago for work opportunities.
A carpenter by trade, the 42 year-old took up competitive BMX racing just two years ago as a way to pass the time during COVID restrictions.
Today (Friday) he jets off to France to compete against 70 other men in the 40-44 year old ‘Cruiser’ category.
Mr Cooper said he has a busy schedule, with a training session the day after he arrives in France and a further session on Sunday.
“My race day is the Tuesday,” he said.
“It’s pretty crazy. I didn’t think at 42 I’d be putting on an Australian jersey and riding akids push bike.”
Mr Cooper said as a youth growing up in Camperdown he used to ride everywhere.
He returned to his love of bikes during COVID lockdowns for some “fresh air”.
“A second hand $600 bike got me started,” Mr Cooper said.
It has not all been smooth sailing, with his first competition resulting in a crash and multiple broken bones.
Mr Cooper persevered and successful runs in Adelaide and Brisbane saw him earn enough points to qualify for the 2022 World BMX Championships.
In the lead-up to heading to France to compete he said he had been training in the gym to build up fitness as well as skills practice on the track.
Reflecting on what he thought his chances of success at the 2022 World Championships would be, Mr Cooper said he was proud to have made it to a world competition level.
“If I make the absolute final there’s eight riders, that would be unbelievable,” he said.
“To make any final, I’d be stoked."
“It’s pretty unlikely in all honesty; but stranger things have happened."
“I’ve trained my rear end off for the last five months.”
Mr Cooper said he hoped he could inspire other people to pursue new passions despite their age, and hoped he was a good role model for his four children.
He said when he first started he had a goal of being in the top 10 for Victoria for his age group – he ended up finishing third and blitzing his goal.
“You’re never too old to have a crack,” Mr Cooper said.
“Don’t be dead before your dead.”
He thanked those who had helped make the trip possible including sponsors, family and friends.
