Luke Pretlove wins masters title at BMX National Championships

The 38-year-old completed the feat on Monday, taking out the 1A plate in the masters men's at the BMX National Championships in Nerang.

"The emotions of it, and the number, it was a life achievement for me," Pretlove said.

"A lot of people in sport strive to get just one, but I guess you keep going and all of a sudden you've got 10 racked up."

Pretlove said a strong third heat set up his victory.

"I had the current champ in my final heat. To beat him in that third moto set me up for a better gate position in the final," he said.

"I'd hit the track at full speed all day and I was then able to muscle my way in and control the race."

With the championships relocated from Western Australia to Queensland, and delayed three times, Pretlove said preparation ahead of last week's event was not ideal.

But he wasn't surprised by his strong showing either, insisting he "went there to win it".

"I didn't go there to get second, let's put it that way," he said.

"It came down to experience and a lot of support from members of the Warrnambool BMX Club."

On Sunday, Pretlove took home the 2A plate in 35 to 39 cruisers categories but admits he "didn't entirely have his game face on".

But he returned a day later determined to rewrite history in the masters, an event for riders 30 and overs, after falling short in previous attempts.

"There are guys younger and hungrier than me to put their names on that masters crown," he said.

"I knew that I'd had eight shots at it and haven't been able to win.

"You think it's going to be easy when you're 30 because you've got age on your side; I thought it was almost out of reach."

After achieving most things he'd set out to accomplish in the BMX world, including bronze at worlds in 2013, Pretlove said he continued to ride as a way to socialise and help other riders' development.

"The only thing keeping me on the bike is kids I used to ride with, who are now parents and are calling me and wanting to ride everyday," he said.

Joining Pretlove at Nerang were current state champions Troy Roberts, who had to settle for the 2A plate in the 30-34 men's and Milla Rentsch, who took home the 5A plate in the eight-year-old girls category.

"Troy was close to getting the 1A plate," Warrnambool BMX Club president Darren Mollenoyux said.

"His result was combined from all four motos, so I think it only came down to one point between him getting the 1A.

"Milla, she won a state plate and the state series this year, and she rode really well."

Xavier Keilar finished 16th in the 12 Boys after crashing out in the semi-finals, with Tate Rentsch riding in the Sprockets event.

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