By Russell Bennett
AT JUST 15 years-of-age, Mount Evelyn’s Steven Gedye is a seasoned BMX veteran.
The Lilydale High School student’s career took off as soon as he first did on a bike – aged two.
“My training wheels came off when I was two,” he said.
“Mum said I was born with a head shaped like a bike helmet so I guess you could say I was born to do it.”
Steven joined the Lilydale BMX club aged just three.
“I was only racing at state level until I was eight,” he said.
“I attended my first national tryouts in 2003.”
Steven was recently named to the Victorian state BMX squad and is aiming to compete at the national titles in Cairns next May.
“The state team trains together every Saturday and we have to compete in compulsory races,” he said.
“I really want to dominate and win the national titles because I’ve finished runner up twice in nationals before,” he said.
Steven recently competed at the state titles on 25 November and came home with a bronze medal.
“I was winning coming into the last corner,” he said.
“But there was a rider down from the previous race so they had to restart ours.
“At the restart, I slipped in the gate and was coming last.
“I actually did well to get back up into third.”
Steven said overseas competitions were on his mind, “but they’re too expensive right now”.
“I have competed overseas before, though,” he said.
“I went to the world championships in China in 2008 and finished sixth in the 13 (and under) boys category.”
Steven’s school gave him money to assist with his travel costs.
“Everyone at Lilydale High has been really supportive of my racing,” he said.
“But it’ll be interesting next year when I start VCE.
“I’ll be racing a lot more, so I’ll probably have to sort something out with the co-ordinators.”
