Leading New Zealand BMX cyclists Sarah Walker and Trent Jones have toppled highly rated Australian opponents to triumph at the Oceania Continental championships.
Olympic silver medallist Walker, returning to her best following two years battling injury, pipped world No.4 Caroline Buchanan to claim the women's honours.
She surged past the Australian on the final straight of the third and last moto to win on a photo finish and claim the title on countback.
It was an important result for the 27-year-old, with the event carrying ranking points for the Rio Olympics.
"The result today means I am back, I guess," Walker said after the event near Pukekohe, New Zealand.
"This off-season training is the best I have ever had and I am tracking so well and it's so exciting to be starting to realise my potential. That is my goal this year, to see what I am actually capable of."
World No.15 Jones was too good for a field that included fifth-ranked Sam Willougby and other leading Australians Bodi Turner and Corey Frieswyk.
Sunday's results followed victory for Walker and Jones at the national championships at the same venue a day earlier.
"I picked up my game today," Jones said.
"Personally, I find it easier with the tougher competition because you can't make a mistake and the motivation is easier for me."
The leading riders will next compete in the opening round of the UCI Supercross World Cup in Argentina in March, with the Olympic qualifying process completed at the world championships in Colombia in May.
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