SOUTHAMPTON — Anthony Lucchesi always keeps one thing in mind before a BMX race: they’re just riding bikes.
When the stress of competing in national-level races and world championship qualifiers starts to get to him, Lucchesi, 18, pictures the dirt jumps in his Southampton front yard.
“I try to take away the stress, take away the competitiveness and realize I’m on my bike and having fun,” Lucchesi said. “I’m able to block out all the stress, all the nerves, and it relieves everything.”
He’s been racing since he was 12 years old, starting at the suggestion of one of his friends that used to mess around in the yard with him. After quickly rising through the novice, intermediate and expert ranks, Lucchesi qualified for the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships, which are Tuesday through Saturday in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He’s in South Carolina right now and will practice during the week and race Friday.
“It’s a dream of everyone that races to be a part of the team and go to the world championships,” Lucchesi said. “Truthfully I’m looking forward to having the time of my life. It’s a one in a lifetime experience may not have this opportunity again.”
There were four World Championship qualifiers held between February and April this year. Lucchesi could only make the one in Rock Hill on March 31.
“I knew I hadn’t been training as much as I’d like to and I wasn’t as prepared as I’d like to have been,” Lucchesi said. “But I still felt really good going into the weekend.”
Ninety-two riders registered in Lucchesi’s class, 17-24 challenger. He finished first in all three of his preliminary heats, or “motos,” to advance to the knockout brackets. There, Lucchesi won his opening race, took third in the quarterfinal and finished fourth in the semifinal to reach the eight-man final and qualify for worlds.
He edged the top-ranked rider for his age group in the country for the last spot.
“I couldn’t believe it when I made it,” Lucchesi said. “I knew I had a chance, but truthfully I had a doubt in my mind.”
Lucchesi uses his bike handling skills and mental approach to racing to make up for not being as physically strong as some of his competitors. He stands a stocky 5’ 8” with defined muscles in his quads, calves and arms from racing and maintaining tracks.
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders to see the moves that need to be made,” USA BMX National Coordinator Chris Luna said. “He’s the total package. He always has such a great attitude win or lose. It’s contagious with the other riders. I’m excited to have him in that pit area.”
Friday will be Lucchesi’s first time representing the United States at an international level but not his first time in USA BMX’s orbit. He’s traveled to California for the Olympic Junior Development camp to train with other campers, Olympic hopefuls and future gold medalists.
“They completely 100 percent dedicate their lives to this,” Lucchesi said. “That impacted me a lot because that changed my lifestyle.”
Lucchesi races 11 months out of the year between sanctioned nationals and local races in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. He tries to race twice a week. That doesn’t leave much time for traditional schooling. He attended Hampshire Regional for one semester during his freshman year before enrolling in the Greenfield Virtual Academy.
“Racing was the original part of it, but education-wise and personal reasons it fit me better,” Lucchesi said. “I learn better without any other kids in the room. I learn better on my own.”
His academics haven’t suffered. Lucchesi will attend Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky next year on academic and cycling scholarships, where he’ll race BMX and mountain bikes. He plans to study business management.
“It is just a bike, it’s a child’s bike, really. It is kind of crazy to me that a BMX bike has brought me the opportunities that I’ve been given,” Lucchesi said. “I’m going to college because of my bike, I’m living the life I am because of my bike. That bike has changed my life.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com.