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ABA BMX - Winter Nationals Wrap Up

July 22nd, 2010 12:28pm

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The American Bicycle Association hosted the Winter Nationals this past weekend, March, 6-8 in Phoenix, AZ. What you say about Black Mountain BMX that hasn't been said before? That is a hard one for sure. How about Olympians, Gold medals, world famous dirt jumpers, television, and media! I can say this though, this weekend 's event was excellent to say the least. The riders, families, fans, and industry up in full force to an amazing 265 motos! Even world famous dirt jumpers like Cory "Nasty" Nastazio and Ryan Guettler showed showed up at Black Mountain BMX to try their hand at BMX RACING. BMX PLUS! editor Ben Crockett even went back to his roots and raced it out on the world famous Black Mountain BMX track! The sun was out in full force, the weather was a perfect mid-70's temp, and the track and facility were dialed in better then ever, The track was sooooo smooth you could almost eat off it! Thanks to ABA BMX track builder Billy Allen for working his magic on the rebuild this year. Also the Black Mountain crew getting the place in tip-top shape as always. Word with the fans was this was the best they had ever seen the track and they were pumped to be there. The racing at the Winter National event was INTENSE! A stacked international field in the AA PRO - Elite ranks was just INSANE! There was an incredible 57 riders in the ELITE class on Saturday and there have been record turn outs in the premier class this season and the fans, industry and media are just blown away!   With 2009 being the debut of UCI Continental events with ABA BMX racing, the buzz is all around, and the buzz was bigger then ever this weekend. UCI's own Johan Lindstrom and Tom Ritz were even made the trip to Phoenix, AZ. to check out their first Black Mountain experience.

 

There was lots of media on hand and many of the sports top athletes from around the world were at Black Mountain BMX to take a shot at getting some much needed points towards the UCI ranking and ABA BMX titles. The fourth UCI event of the 2009 season was dominated by Olympic Gold medalist, World Champion, and Free Agent's own Maris Strombergs. Maris won lap after lap on the world famous Black Mountain BMX and has truly "arrived" here on the USA circuit. The man on a mission this season is Olympic Silver medalist Mike Day. Mike Day has made just about every main this season on his trusty GT steed. Mike kept Maris honest all the way to the finish line stripe. Kyle Bennett made another trip to the UCI podium with a very impressive 3rd for the day. Kyle has made tons of mains this season as well and looks to be as solid as ever. With an amazing 57 Elite Men on hand making the main is a impressive in it's own right. Talking with several of the top dogs about this weekend, many said it was the hardest they had ever seen the class! STACKED, STACKED, STACKED is all I can say!! winters1-429.jpg JR.

 

Elite saw Redline's Denzel Stein lay the law down in JR. Elite with the HUGE win. Denzel was sportin' a newly designed USAC National Champs jersey for the event. Formula's Sam Willoughby was back on the gas as well. Sam's the defending World Champ and was coming off a big win in Oldsmar, FLA. Sam kept things very interesting for Denzel and they race it out hard with Sam coming in a close 2nd for the day. Canada's super fast and Redline's Tory Nyhaug was the man to bring home the 3rd place podium spot at Black Mountain BMX. This class is pretty stacked as well and you can get a glimpse into the future of our sport by watching these guys. These kids KNOW how to race!   

 

  Elite Women went down like this, RaceplaceBMX and BAWLS Guarana rider Stephanie Barragan took the HUGE win for the event. Redman's Amanda Geving had a great showing nailing down the 2nd. Amanda's got mad skills and the Fla. native looks to be a top contender for the podium at each round. SX's Crystal Hime took the 3rd and last podium spot. Crystal took some time off and has been back and racing really well. I expect to see Crystal on top the podium very soon.  ABA National #1 Ladies PRO, Dominique Daniels keeps her streak alive and makes it four in a row for the top UCI podium spot. Dom has been an ustoppable force this season so far. All the other ladies are keeping her honest and making her work for each and every podium. 2nd went to the pride of Redline and Minnesota, Alise Post. Alise is getting back in the swing of racing after talking Black Mtn. Winter Nationalssome time off for her gymnastics and is looking really good on her new Redline. Expect to see Alise on top the podium very, very soon. 3rd went to rookie PRO sensation, Ashley Verhagen. Ashley rides for Team Inseino out of Simi Valley, CA. Ashley is still making the adjustment to the PRO class and is getting better at every event. She's ready for the top spot on the podium!     

 

ABA BMX PRO points day one saw 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist, Hyper Bicycles, Donny Robinson take his 2nd win of the season. Donny's made a bunch of mains this season proving to be very consistent, but this weekend it all clicked for him despite losing a chain in the first of three main events! 2nd place went to none other then the powerhouse named Maris Strombergs. Maris was gracious enough to bring his actual Olympic GOLD medal to the event and did a HUGE autograph session with the fans. The fans were allowed to touch his GOLD medal! This was no replica either. It was the REAL DEAL. Maris gained a ton of new fans at Phoenix for sure. 3rd went to the unsponsored Jason Rogers. I know I've said this a few times, but somebody needs to pick this kid up and fast! Jason has made many mains this season and has to be to have main the most mains for  guy wearing jeans ad T-shirt to race. All you team managers out there take note of this guy! It was a SUPER STACKED field at the Winter Nationals and there where a lot of heavy hitters on the side lines watching. Taking with many of the riders Super Nationals/UCI/USAC National Championship weekend looks to be the next big event around the corner and there are a lot of hungry guys looking to make their first podium of the season. On the Ladies side once again defending Champ, Dominique Daniels took the top honors in the class.  Not much else I can say about Dominique except she's super fast! Two Time ABA Ladies PRO CHamp, Alise Post was all over Dominique this weekend and looks to have plans to grab her #1 plate back this season. These two ladies really put on a great show for the fans. Once again Ashley Verhagen made the podium with a solid ride. Ashley is helping step things up in the ladies PRO ranks and proved the new crop of ladies PRO are legit.   As usual the Vet Pro class was on fire this weekend. 

 

The VET PRO class has become a who`s who in BMX titles of the past. Names like John Purse, Dale Holmes, Greg Romero, Jason Carnes, Kenth Fallen, Eric Rupe, and so on , and so on. One of the sports all-time greats GHP`s John "The Jackal" Purse nailed down yet another 1st on Saturday and a 3rd on Sunday on his quest for the ABA BMX VET Title.  Saturday saw defending Champ, Kenth Fallen bring home 2nd and Sunday saw the always consistant Chad Street bring home the 2nd as well. "Coach G" Greg Romero was on the gas in Phoenix as well. Greg took some time away frombeing a super trainer to jump back on his bike and put his money where his mouth is. Coach G was a solid podium maker on Saturday with a 3rd place finish for the day. Sunday was a new day and Greg powered his may to his first win of the season. Greg is always on the gas when he comes to play and you can never count out "Coach G" for the win in the VET ranks! 

 

PRO Cruiser win went to two-time ABA BMX PRO Cruiser Champ Danny "Easy Money" Caluag. Danny been the man to beat the last few years in the Cruiser ranks and looks to be back on top of the heap after Phoenix.Crupi's Tyler Brown continues on his quest for an ABA BMX title by nailing down the 2nd for the day. Tyler is a main stay on the PRO Cruiser podium and doesn't look to be giving up one of the top three spots any time soon. 3rd went to Phoenix local Joe Sowers. Joe's been on the come back trail and has a new ride with team Misbeehavin. Joe had the home town fans on their feets for this main event for sure! 

 

 

Location: News >> ABA BMX - Winter Nationals Wrap Up


 
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