LAST week he enjoyed a career milestone as he attended his first BMX World Cup as a national coach, but now Adam Carey is set for another challenge.
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The Bathurst BMX talent has rushed back from the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup rounds in Papendal, Netherlands, to compete at the BMX Australia National Championships.
To be staged in Shepparton next week, Carey will be hoping for a smoother time than what he endured at Papendal.
There the diabetic battled issues with low blood sugar as he both represented Australia and managed the Thailand national contingent which attended.
"For me, there has been many learning lessons," he posted on Instagram.
"Realising the stress of World Cup coaching, the dual focus and the exhausting review processes post practice/race for all six athletes had its effect on my diabetic control. It resulted in a plagued weekend of chronic low blood sugars.
"Four bags of lollies over the weekend, three Snickers bars before bed and a 55 percent drop on insulin.
"The psychological effect on my blood sugar control due to new stresses is so interesting and a new aspect to conquer for sure."
Still, Carey enjoyed being able to coach the Thai riders in Papendal. It was a role he had been working towards for over a decade.
"All stepped massive leaps in the right direction. They showed real courage and I am grateful to be their coach," Carey said.
Carey, who lives in Bathurst but rides for the Blue Mountains BMX Club, will put his skills to the test on a newly constructed eight-metre start hill in Shepparton.
In total, 1,547 entrants from 99 Australian clubs will descend on Shepparton with racing beginning on Wednesday.
The elite men's event which Carey will contest not only has an Australian title up for grabs, but the opportunity to earn UCI rankings points that can help in a bid to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Last year's elite men's national champion, Brandon Te Hiko, shapes as the main threat.
