An Okotoks motocross athlete is heading to the biggest international amateur event in the sport.

16-year-old Rylan Bly has qualified for the Loretta Lynn's USA National Motocross Championship in Tennessee after competing in Temecula, California.

Bly says the qualifier went very well for him, it was his first time racing the HangTown which is considered a very tough national level track.

"I went down and trained for two weeks before the race, I did really well at the race, I got third the first da,y and the second day I won so it was really awesome. The track was pretty simple, not too hard, super fun, the dirt was a little slippery but I got used to it pretty quick."

There were 32 other motocross athletes in his class competing for a spot at the Loretta Lynn's, Bly shares he's beyond ecstatic to have qualified.

"I'm very excited, it's a big accomplishment I've been trying to do for a very long time. I can't express how awesome it is to finally be able to do this."

The competition of Bly's lifetime starts July 31, he's hoping to head to Tennessee a week early to acclimatize to the humidity and heat.

He'll be competing against the best amateur racers from Europe, the U.S., and all over the world, all of which will be fighting for a sponsorship.

"Depending on how you do, you'll more than likely catch the eye of one person or another and get a signed contract."

Bly is hoping to gain more local support to attend the Loretta Lynn's, to learn more  click here.

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