The UCI Continental Series hit the pause button for about 90 days, but lit back up hotter than ever in Delaware for Round Seven. The ABA First State Nationals, which shared the Saturday program at “First State BMX” in Milford, DE booked 88 motos, with eight for the UCI program. All the notables in Elite Men were in attendance, except for what might, arguably, be the two MOST notable: The Olympic Gold Medalist and the ABA National Number One Pro. Word was that Maris Strombergs and Khalen Young (respectively) had other commitments this weekend, and would be in Rockford for the final installment of the 2009 series next weekend.
In the Elite Men main event, Kyle Bennett led pretty much wire to wire, but Donny Robinson was in a contentious second place for 2/3 of the track, and may have been saving up some mojo for the last turn. Alas, it was not to be, as he hit some soft stuff, and tangled with Augusto Castro, both riders going down. Main Even finish went: Bennett, David Herman and Nic Long.
The Jr. Elite main was a “trail of misfortune” for some, and the best race of the day for us spectators. First, Corbin Sharrah came unclipped in the early part of the first straight, which ended his challenge for the lead, then Tory Nyhaug and someone else tangled and tanked in the first turn. It was Willoughby to the end of the third straight, when Tommy Zula navigated into the catbird seat, and brought it all the way home. Finishes: Zula, Sam WIlloughby, Alex Anthony.
Though lacking the volume of carnage as Jr. Men, Elite Women had it’s mixups and match ups. Dominique Daniels led the race wire to wire, but Courtney Tomei and Afton Schrimpf traded mid-pack paint in turn one (Both rode off the track, but Courtney was seen by EMTs after the race due to an elbow injury that had her wincing in a way that did not look too good). The last turn in that main could have been the upset of the day, as Alaina Henderson put the challenge to Dominique, taking the lead for maybe a nanosecond before spontaneously wrecking. Alise Post was out of the mix today (though she did ride the first moto) due to a leg injury picked up in Cali a few weeks back. She is looking to Rockford for her big comeback. At the stripe, it was Dominique Daniels, Stephanie Barragan and Danielle Brisson.
More from Milford tomorrow, when day two of the First State Nationals goes down. Photos will be posted on BMXNOW.COM, Sunday night (the Internet connection here at the HI Express is about as fast as my 2400 baud modem, circa 1993). Talk about Vintage!
