- Gavin Hernandez, an 11-year-old from Hurricane, will represent Team USA.
- He'll compete in the BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, July 17-19.
- Gavin previously competed in Denmark and qualified at Lone Star Nationals in March.
HURRICANE, Washington County — Gavin Hernandez, 11, rode around the parking lot at the Santa Clara BMX track, waiting for the gates to open.
"Let's get your helmet on," his dad said as they entered the track.
Gavin carefully put on his helmet, complete with goggles, then pulled his gloves up to his long-sleeved racing gear, before steadying his bike against the metal guard.
When the horn went off, off he went, pumping his bike up and over each roller and around every turn until the course was complete.
"Twenty-nine to go," Gavin said as he walked his bike all the way back up the ramp.
The soon-to-be sixth grader at Hurricane Intermediate will be representing Team USA at the BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, this weekend, and KSL met with him and his dad Michael Hernandez for his last practice before the competition.
"I'm looking forward to exploring the country and race on different tracks in a different country," Gavin told KSL.
This will be Gavin's second time representing Team USA. He made the team last year and traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, to compete. This year, he said, he feels a lot more prepared.
"I'm not as nervous as next year because I've already been through it," he said.
Gavin started riding BMX bikes at 5 years old after someone came into his dad's bike shop and suggested he try it.
"When my dad got into the Bicycle Collective, someone came into the shop and said, 'Your kid should start riding BMX,'" he recalled. "The first day I rode, I really liked it, so I just started doing it until I just started loving it. I couldn't stop."
The Bicycle Collective is a Utah-based nonprofit that refurbishes donated bicycles, often providing them at a low cost to people in need. Used parts are also sold, and those interested can learn how to build bikes under the guidance of trained professionals.
Michael Hernandez said he has a background in mountain biking but bought a BMX frame when his son was born with the hope of someday building the bike together. He said when his son started riding BMX, he didn't know where it would take him, adding that he loves watching him ride and interact with others on and off the track.
"He loves riding his bike," Hernandez said. "He helps others and gives them tips on how to progress. ... He's a good brother and a very good kid. ... We got lucky."
To make Team USA, Gavin had to place in the top eight nationally, and he did that at the Lone Star Nationals in Houston, Texas, in March.
Santa Clara BMX track operator Brooke Day has been in the BMX world for years and has had three of her four kids compete in the world championships over the years. She has watched Gavin since he started and said "it's been awesome."
"He's a super sweet kind and always really respectful and kind and his family is awesome," she said. "He's a kid that has high goals, and he puts in the work to achieve them."
With all the hard work put in to prepare for the World Championships, Gavin said he's looking forward to "having fun."
"I had to work hard to get to the point I am now," he said. "(I'm looking forward to) having fun on the track and also competing for the United States."
Gavin will be competing against athletes from around the world from July 17-19, and the competition will be streamed on FloBikes. His dad said he will also be posting for his son on Instagram, @gavinhernandezbmx.
"We hope he progresses out of the first three rounds," Hernandez said. "After this, he will race grand nationals at the end of this year."
