Clarence Valley BMX rider Tahlia Marsh wins world championship

The road to the top has been anything but smooth for Clarence Valley BMX rider Tahlia Marsh.

But the six-time Australian champion finally got her chance to compete against the world's best and prove she was better than them all.

The 23-year-old left her rivals in her wake to claim top honours in the 17-25 women's cruiser class at this week's BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane.

"I haven't been to a world title since 2019, purely because of the money and the high cost that goes into [the sport]," the freshly crowned world champion said.

Small town girl

Born in the Northern Rivers city of Grafton, Marsh started BMX riding with her two older brothers at the age of seven, and by nine she was riding competitively.

"Obviously being in a small country town you're not open to a lot of opportunities so I've just got to make it work," she said.

"I do a lot of training by myself, so it's hard to stay motivated, but I did have a goal to come back with a [podium] from the world titles."

But national and even world titles do not necessarily bring big financial rewards.

"I work as a support worker back home, I've got a mortgage, I'm doing university and training full time too.

"So it definitely makes it tough for people with great ability."

For many riders without sponsorship, even finding the right bike can be a daunting prospect.

"They'd be around 10 grand, because they're all carbon fibre and high spec," Marsh said.

"They're expensive, but luckily I've got a good sponsor, a bike shop in Brisbane who helps me out a bit."

Just pure joy

Her partner, Jamal Laurie, has been along for the ride and said her determination had never wavered.

"She's been working nearly every day for the last couple months leading up to worlds, and to come out with the world title is unreal," he said.

"Coming down that last stretch, every [Australian] in the grandstand stood up cheering for her.

A fairytale day

The result was no fluke.

The 23-year-old entered the final race of the day having won all six prior heats.

"When I made it to the finals and had won all my races, I thought, 'Righto, I think I can do this,' and I can't believe I did," she said.

"There's always a goal of the Olympics, but [right now] I want to get over to America.

"They call it 'the greatest race on earth,' so I'm hoping to go over there in November."