Reynolds navigates rocky road to London

Bunbury's latest Olympian Lauren Reynolds has paid tribute to the community in which she grew up and says she is hoping to do her home town proud in London next month.

On Tuesday Reynolds was named in Australia’s BMX team for the London 2012 Games.

It was a nail-biting selection process for Reynolds, the world number five, who pipped compatriot Melinda McLeod by just three points to win a place in the team.

‘‘Coming from Bunbury and doing what I’m doing is pretty cool,’’ Reynolds said.

‘‘I want to make the most of it. I can’t thank everyone enough for all their support, it means a lot.

‘‘Hopefully I can make everyone proud, I’ll just be doing my best.’’

When BMX was made an Olympic sport for the 2008 Beijing Games, Reynolds — who has been supported by the South West Academy of Sport — set herself a goal of competing in London.

She described the four-year selection process as ‘‘one hell of a journey’’.

‘‘I’ve had my fair share of highs and lows — probably more lows than I would have liked,’’ she said.

‘‘My profile has certainly grown and that’s awesome. There’s also a lot more travelling and meeting some cool people. I’ve had goals and dreams but they’re starting to become a reality.’’

Australia’s riders will head to London as the team to beat, including world number one Sam Willoughby in their ranks.

Brian Kirkham and another West Australian rider Khalen Young complete the male side of the team.

Meanwhile, world number two Caroline Buchanan will join Reynolds in a twopronged Aussie assault on the women’s medals.

Lauren’s mother Jonenne said a text message from her daughter on Tuesday confirming the selection had come as a big relief to all those in their Australind family home.

‘‘Especially the last 12 months, we’ve been on tenterhooks with all the events she’s been competing in,’’ Jonenne said.

‘‘She’s done it. All the hard work has paid off.’’

Jonenne said the entire family had already booked their tickets to London and revealed Lauren had always had a love for riding, but her talent had snuck under the radar until her mid-teens.

‘‘We just thought she was keeping up with the boys in the neighbourhood, she just loved it,’’ Jonenne said.

‘‘It really wasn’t until she was between 14 or 16 years old we thought she had potential to go places.’’

Great results over the past two years meant the Australian team won the right to field the maximum number of BMX Olympic quota places — two women and three men.