By Justin Schwarze
Casey BMX prodigy Bella May is set to pack her bags for a massive opportunity in the UK after being included in Bestrong’s team for the European Cup.
At just 19 years old, May has already decorated an elite resume in the sport, dominating at junior level.
Her career highlights include being a three-time Australian Champion, two-time Oceania Champion and an unbelievable 11-time State Champion.
She competed in the Under-23 category at the 2024 BMX Racing World Championships in South Carolina, United States, where she earned a bronze medal with a time of 33.82 seconds in the final.
Her rapid ascension has come while she’s been a member of the Casey BMX Club.
“They (Casey BMX) have been supporting me for years now,” May said.
“They’re just great people and it’s such a friendly environment.”
While at the club, May has taken multiple roles, including competing, training and coaching the next generation.
Even leading up to her departure overseas, she continues to mentor and inspire the younger riders.
“It’s great seeing and being able to help the younger generation,” May said.
“These are our next girls coming through the club so it’s really great to help them out, do some coaching at the club and help grow our community.”
On the track, she’s preparing for a major step-up in competition.
Once you reach age 19, you become eligible to compete in the ‘Elite’ category, which is the next step for May.
“I’m stepping up into the elite category this year,” she stated.
“It’ll be challenging, but I’m excited and I’m ready to hit it.
“I had the opportunity to stay down in the category, but I felt like I was ready to take the next step and challenge myself more.”
Throughout her journey, it hasn’t been just the club that has had a massive influence on her career.
May cited the backing from her family as one of the biggest keys to her success.
“My family has been my number one supporter from day dot,” she said.
“From a two year old, I’ve always been on two wheels, whether it was motorbikes or BMX just at the skate park.
“One day I just rocked up to the BMX track, and fell in love with the sport and I said to mum and dad that this is sick, I want to do this.
“Along the way, gaining sponsors, the community from the club, there’s a lot of people that have made this what it is.”
The next challenge will be travelling to the other side of the world, to compete in a higher competition standard.
Being based in Manchester, the European Cup includes races in France and Italy, and Manchester National rounds are on the calendar for May.
Until then, the fact that she’s going over there hasn’t really sunk in.
“It doesn’t really kick in until I’m really there and associated with them,” she admitted.
“I’m ready to make this bigger step; there’ll definitely be challenges along the way like stepping up straight away into the bigger category in my first race overseas, that will be surreal.
“Seeing my name on the leaderboard from previous seasons, like my last season was pretty phenomenal, that took a while to kick in that I competed overseas and got my name out there.
“I got some pretty phenomenal results.
“It’s hard to recognise, but I am proud of myself.”
In her fresh competition and new category, she will face some of the world’s best talents.
This includes racing Australian Olympic Gold medallist and two-time UCI BMX World Cup champion Saya Sakakibara.
“It’s a bit scary but I’m excited, she’s definitely where we I want to be,” May said of racing Sakakibara.
“It’ll be pretty phenomenal to race against her.
“She’s set pretty high standards for us, which is so amazing but I’m ready to race her and judge where I’m at.”
With the future in mind, there is one goal above all else for May.
This opportunity is another step in the right direction, and she’s even closer to realising her biggest dream.
“The Olympics are definitely the goal,” she said.
“It’s always been a childhood dream since the first day.
“This is another step, another path in the journey to get me to that end result.”
