Jeep Team’s South African and African Continental Elite BMX Champion, Kyle Dodd, is set to race against the world’s top-ranked BMX riders as he represents South Africa in Round 1 of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, which takes place in Manchester, England, from 18 – 19 April 2015.

Over 200 riders from 29 countries will be competing in Event #1 of the five-stop World Cup series, including Britain’s Liam Phillips (winner of the 2014 BMX Supercross World Cup); and two-times Olympic champion, Maris Strombergs.

Other top contenders include the United States’ Corben Sharrah and Connor Fields (ranked World No. 4th and 5th respectively) as well as French, Joris Daudet (World ranked 6th) and Australia’s Sam Willoughby (World ranked 9th).

Said Dodd ahead of the World Cup: “I am feeling very confident going into this event with set goals, which I want to achieve. Training has been solid and mentally I am feeling positive.”

Dodd, who has represented South Africa at numerous world BMX events, has spent the last three months competing in the United States so as to gain vital UCI points for South Africa’s 2016 Rio Olympic qualification. Last month, he finished third in the Pro Class open race at USA Cycling’s BMX National Championships.

Dodd will be riding for South Africa in the World Cup alongside fellow Alrode BMX Club rider, Alex Limberg. Teagan O’Keeffe will be representing SA in the Women’s Elite competition.