Champion BMX star Anthony Dean will fly the flag for Australia and SASI when he competes against some of the the world's best athletes at the UCI BMX world championships in Zolder, Belgium, from July 23 to 27

IT IS all systems go for leading Australian and SA Sports Institute athlete Anthony Dean as he dons the national colours at the UCI BMX world championships in Zolder, Belgium, between July 23 and 27.

Dean, 28, based in San Diego, US, and coached by Olympic silver medallist and two-times BMX world champion Sam Willoughby, is one of 12 athletes in the Australian team. Competition at the world titles includes elite men and women and under-19 men and women. Matt Tidswell is the other South Australian in the under-19 men's category.

Dean, who finished eighth at the 2016 Olympics and semi finals and a fourth in past world championships, said he was thrilled to be competing at the world titles again. He has enjoyed a consistent season by making a world cup final in France and two other semi-finals.

"The preparations have just started and I'm in a good space," Dean said.

"Working with my coach Sam Willoughby towards our goals of a podium finish this year. A realistic and obtainable goal, I think.

"After the world championships I am heading back to Adelaide in August for some down time before heading back to the US for the final four world cups of 2019.''

The elite team will be headlined by siblings Saya Sakakibira and Kai Sakakibira and Olympians Lauren Reynolds and Dean. Tidswell is one of four athletes in the under-19 men team, while Des'ree Barnes (Queensland) is the only member of the under-19 women's category.

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