Leigh Egan

Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

The early 1980’s saw the emergence of BMX Racing in Australia. BMX tracks were appearing all over the country, giving thousands of young people the opportunity to be involved in the sport.

The new Shepparton track built in 1980 was soon swarming with participants and the competition was intense. One of the standout riders was a well-built lad with an amazing technique who would become a world champion in the sport. Leigh Egan began to show his brilliance at an early age and within 2 years was taking out Victorian titles. He won the Victorian 15 class in 1982 and the 16 class in 83. The more he won, the better he got as a junior.

 In 1984 after winning the Victorian 17 class he took out the Australian open title which won him a place in the World championships in Japan. By the end of those titles, Australia had produced a duel World Champion as Leigh powered home to win the World 17 class along with the Open class. It was a wonderful performance and Leigh had become Australia’s first ever Elite Men’s BMX Champion.

The success spurred him on to be even better and he trained so hard to perfect his style. He dominated the men’s competition, becoming the first rider to win three consecutive Open Men’s titles, winning in Launceston in 1985, Adelaide in 86 and Canberra in 87. In 1986 he added the Australian Pro class to his titles and repeated the feat in 1987.

He continued to train harder than many of his opponents and was recognised as the “Master” of BMX racing. He towered over many of his rivals and his strength was incredible. He was seen as the toughest rider in a generation. In 1988 he was once again Victorian Open and Australian Pro class champion.

In 1989 he retired from racing following a freak accident on the track.

The name Leigh Egan is known in BMX racing across the world as one of the toughest and most talented riders the world has seen.

The sport honoured him when he was inducted into the Victorian BMX Hall of Fame in 1994 and more recently into the Australian BMX Hall of Fame.

Tonight we have the opportunity to welcome Leigh into the Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame and we congratulate him for the honour he has brought to our City. I give you the World Champion BMX rider Leigh Egan.