BMX champ headed to World Championships
Madison Thompson, 11, is headed to Scotland this summer to represent Team USA at the BMX World Championships. It will be the fourth year in a row that she has qualified for the prestigious event. She has only been racing for a little more than three years and she began winning races almost immediately.
Madison moved to Canyon Lake with her family earlier this year. The Thompson family has already fallen in love with the community, Madison’s mother, Heather Thompson, said. She, her husband Jon Thompson, and their three children Bradley, Madison and Alyssa, are all excited to call Canyon Lake their home.
11-year-old Madison Thompson gets air during a recent BMX meet. The Canyon Lake girl just qualified to race in the BMX World Championships this summer in Scotland. She picked up the sport just three years ago and has gone to the World Championship in each of the years she has raced. Madison has tried out for the Canyon Lake Middle School Cheer Squad to make her athletic circle complete. She and her family moved to Canyon Lake just a couple of months ago and they’re loving the life in their new community.
Madison climbed up onto her first BMX bike when her twin brother Bradley convinced her to give it a try. Heather was hesitant to let Madison participate in BMX racing since she feared injury would hurt Madison’s gymnastics. She was very active in gymnastics at the time and held the state title.
But, Madison loved riding BMX. It quickly became her first love over gymnastics. She beat all the boys in her first race and has been captivated ever since.
Two months of racing and Madison made Team USA as a novice rider at just 8 years old. Last year in France, Madison won the title of sixth fastest girl in the world for her age group and still holds the title.
Madison Thompson is all smiles after race. Photo provided by Heather Thompson
Madison hopes to get another World Title this year in Scotland and eventually make it to the Olympics. She qualified for the BMX World Championships by winning two weeks ago in Bakersfield. In Scotland, she will be racing two different bikes. One will be in races for the Girls 12 and under Challenge Class and another for 12 and under Challenge Cruiser Class.
Last year, Madison took 6th place racing her Cruiser bike in the 12 and under class.
Canyon Lakers can follow Madison’s races on her Instagram account at madi_the_machine. She also has a Go Fund Me account to help her finance the trip to Scotland in August.
Madison loves to spend her free time outdoors or crafting. She can be found taking the golf cart for a ride around the lake with her family or out at the pump track where she loves to hang out and practice. She recently tried out for the award-winning Canyon Lake Middle School cheer team and is excited to attend the school next year. Madison’s twin brother no longer rides BMX. His basketball skills have taken him a different direction.
“I love the basketball hoops at Canyon Lake because I can practice my skills in between my team practices with Big City League basketball,” Bradley said.
Madison Thompson practices at the Vacation Park pump track in Canyon Lake. Photo by Heather Thompson
Alyssa, Madison’s 17-year-old sister, is soon to head off to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. Alyssa plays volleyball for Forza1.
Since the family only moved here in January, there is a lot to look forward to once the weather warms up. The Thompsons are looking forward to using their jet boat, swimming, and having fun in the sun at the lake. The family moved to Canyon Lake from Temecula. After coming to a Halloween party in Canyon Lake, they were hooked.
“The kids already have made so many friends and we already had a lot of BMX friends here in Canyon Lake,” Heather said.
“We look forward to getting involved with some of the community clubs and events when we can.”