A chance to chase a dream in the United States was too good to pass up, for promising BMX rider Todd Barry.
The 17-year-old’s decision to skip his final school term at St Paul’s Collegiate will enable him to gain valuable experience, as he targets becoming a fulltime professional in a sport he’s passionate about.
Barry’s chance eventuated after a strong outing at the UCI BMX world championships, held in Auckland in July, where he was asked by a couple of American riders to make the trip for the final national events of the year.
"After [the world championships] I found out that if I just train a little more, I can actually make it and do well over there – mix it with the top elite guys – it’s what I'm aiming for now."
Barry, who lives in Pirongia, initially wrestled with the idea of going over but with the backing of his parents, his decision was made easier.
"It was a pretty hard decision to start with, because I enjoy school here, and I've been here since third form [year 9] so it would be cool to finish off the year," he said, adding he was fortunate to have attained NCEA level three by the end of last term.
Also joining Barry in the US is his Cambridge BMX Club team-mate, Jarrod Browning. The Kiwi pair will train with and ride against some of America’s best riders, including former world champion Rusty Nesvig.
Barry, who is ranked 19th in the world in the junior elite men’s category, will begin preparing for the Disney Cup Fall Nationals at the end of the month in Orlando, Florida.
He'll line up again at the ABA Grands in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in late November, which he describes as the biggest BMX event in the US.
Although Barry expects the level of competition to be at a higher level than what he is accustomed to in New Zealand, he hopes a solid run of performances, and results, will attract the attention of potential sponsors.
"I'm hoping in America to pick up a big bike sponsor, which helps pay for everything like bike costs, so it’s another big goal of mine over there."
Barry intends using this trip as a build-up towards next year’s world champs in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, but ultimately aims to get on the start gate at the Olympics – whether it’s Tokyo, in 2020, or possibly Rio de Janeiro, in 2016.
"My parents said it’s all about experience this time, just to see what it’s like over there, and to see what I need to do. But going over there, it’s definitely a step towards chasing that dream of the Olympics."
For Barry the pursuit begins in two weeks, but in the meantime, he'll be getting in some hard training on the track in Cambridge.
