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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Warehouse ablaze on Mason Way in Medford ... Concealed-gun ruling may fuel Oregon legislation in 2017 ... Medford builder Louis Mahar II arrested for assault ... Warehouse ablaze on Mason Way in Medford ... Concealed-gun ruling may fuel Oregon legislation in 2017 ... Medford builder Louis Mahar II arrested for assault ... BICYCLE MOTOCROSS Medford BMX racer wins world championship Medford BMX racer claims big win in Colombia Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Jun. 7, 2016 at 5:45 PM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Jun. 7, 2016 at 5:45 PM » Social News When you're on top of the world, even a land as foreign as Colombia can feel like home. Just ask Medford native Josh Banuelos. The bicycle motocross competitor captured a Union Cycliste Internationale BMX World Championship title in Medellin, Colombia, on May 26. Banuelos, a 19-year-old who graduated from South Medford High, earned the crown in the age 17-24 division after surviving a series of qualifying rounds. Racing out of Lane 4, Banuelos found the inside line and maneuvered past seven others in the final, which featured three other Americans, two Brazilians and two Frenchmen. Overall, Banuelos outlasted 117 riders in his class. "I came in focused and I believed in my ability," says the 6-foot-4 Banuelos, who entered ranked fifth in his age group. "I had trained consistently and was ready. I remember looking out at the crowd, hearing them and seeing the city and just thinking to myself to embrace the moment. I really calmed down my approach, tried to become more mellow and tried to visualize my lap." Banuelos raised his arms in celebration after claiming the title, which came with a plaque. "I was feeling a lot of emotion," says Banuelos, who had been training at the Olympic center in Chula Vista, Calif. "It was pretty special. Just going into a foreign place, it's different winning on a stage like that. We made a lot of memories." Banuelos had competed at the UCI BMX World Championship only once before, in 2012. "I did OK, but had some bad luck in the quarterfinals that year," he recalls. "This time I wanted to make sure I was prepared. Going to one before helped because I knew what to expect. Since I'm racing people I've never raced before, you have to calm your nerves. I've learned to just focus strictly on myself." The entire experience, from meeting new friends to enjoying the local cuisine, was amazing, Banuelos says. He practiced Spanish before departing to further enhance the trip and made a point of visiting traditional restaurants during his sweltering seven-day stay. The Colombian win is the latest triumph for a competitor on the up and up. Banuelos will next race in the Hall of Fame Nationals in Chula Vista, California, this weekend and at Great Salt Lake Nationals in South Jordan, Utah, next weekend. The contests are part of the USA BMX national series, which culminates with the Grandnational and Race of Champions in Tulsa, Okla., Nov. 25-27. Banuelos has already picked up national victories in Phoenix (where he qualified for the World Championship), Austin, Texas, and Grand Junction, Colorado, this season. "The national series is all about consistency," says Banuelos, who has been competing in BMX races for 15 years. "You pick and choose which races you want to do. For your top seven races, you get points based on winning and how many riders are at the event.” Banuelos, who just wrapped up his freshman year at Rogue Community College, plans to continue training and develop more strength while competing. He'll also be carefully watching the the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (BMX racing became a medal sport in 2008) while keeping another time and location in his heart: the 2020 Games in Tokyo. "That is the next big goal," he says. Also competing at the BMX World Championship were Jacksonville siblings Zemirah Paulazzo, 9, and brother Tavi Paulazzo, 9, and Grants Pass’ Gavin Stratman, 6. Zemirah Paulazzo was seventh overall in the 9-year-old girls division. Tavi Paulazzo and Stratman each advanced to the second-to-last qualifying level in their age groups. Banuelos has worked with all of them. “It was pretty cool to see them represent the United States at such a young age,” Banuelos says. “To see their progression, it’s really a good feeling seeing them work so hard and watching it pay off.” Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Jun. 7, 2016 at 5:45 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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