A 6-year-old girl from Santa Clarita is expected to travel to Belgium to compete with Team USA in the world BMX championships.

Maya Gadbois made history two years ago at the age of 4 when she was the youngest person to ever qualify for the international BMX competition.

“I am super proud of her,” said Chris Gadbois, Maya’s father. “She has worked so hard for this.”

Maya has been riding since she was 2 and a half, being born into a competitive BMX family with her older brother, Charlie, as one of the top 10 riders in the state.

“She was basically born on a bike,” said her father. “Her older brother also competes in BMX, so there is a little sibling rivalry going on.”

That competition and her dedication day-in and day-out are what has propelled Maya to the top of her age range, with no plans on slowing down.

“BMX is what she loves to do,” said Gadbois. “She has always been motivated to compete. It is her favorite thing.”

Three to four times a week, the Gadbois family travels to the closest BMX track, which used to be Simi Valley until that track closed for repairs. The family now travels to Bakersfield — over 160 miles round trip.

The Gadbois family is taking to City staff to create a BMX track in Santa Clarita.

“The City has been very receptive of the idea of our own BMX track,” said Gadbois. “There are things in the works, so stay tuned.”

Santa Clarita is no stranger to BMX prestige, as the city is also home to Mike Day, an Olympic silver medalist who placed No. 2 in the world at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

“There is a long tradition of BMX here in Santa Clarita,” said Gadbois. “We just want it to continue.”

Maya now has her eyes set on the world BMX championships in Belgium, where she one of the favorites to take the top spot in her class, according to her father.

“This is something Maya has been working toward for almost her entire life,” said Gadbois. “The world (of) BMX is going to need to watch out.”

The trip to the world championships is estimated to be about $6-8,000, and the family is seeking corporate sponsors. Email Chris Gadbois at chris@srthelo.com for more information.

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