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ABA Gets Big Bang at Great Salt Lake Race

Mike Carruth — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:27:33 +0000

Words by Mike Carruth, via BMXNEWS.COM
Rad Canyon BMX. It’s rad. It’s in a canyon. And it is ALL BMX. A more fitting moniker could not be bestowed, unless going back to the day they found a name for a chunky spread made from peanuts.

Though the Great Salt Lake Nationals are always a popular stop on the ABA National tour, this year held a little something special for the Elites– the designation as the 2010 UCI North American Continental Championships. Unlike other championships, where champions are crowned and titles bestowed, this one was really more about the points, offering Class 3 UCI points (the highest points awarded at any North American race, save for the Class 2 Chula Vista Supercross, which is part of the World Cup series). But, come Olympic time in another year and a half, a Cat 3 podium spot could make a major difference in the number a given country gets to have in the 2012 London Games.

Saturday’s race topped out at a respectable 189 motos, run with drill-team efficiency (we were out of the parking lot in five hours flat). Highlights include Dominique Daniels showing up in her new Grand Canyon University jersey (not to mention aboard one of Toby Henderson’s “Speed” frames), foreshadowing a full-ride BMX scholarship to the Arizona school this fall (more on that tomorrow).

Tony Hoffman scored his first A Pro win on Saturday, besting the likes of Jake Peebles and local hero Mitch Ropelato. Saturday’s Category 3 UCI points would not find a home in the USA for the top three spots, as Maris Strombergs took home a win for Latvia, and Sam Willoughby and Khalen Young grabbed the second and third podium spots, respectively, for Australia. Don’t get us wrong, we’re big fans of all three—and the Saturday main was off the hook, with Maris getting Sam at the line by less a wheel (watch for the actual finishline-cam image in our Wednesday Race Report). Junior Women had a class on Saturday, and Dom Daniels brought her new colors to the top of the podium. Alise Post won every lap on Saturday, and USA got the full-pull UCI podium points among the gals, with Arielle Martin and Ashley Verhagen rounding out the podium

Oh, we could go on and on…and will in our full report, posted this Wednesday.

But, the Interstate awaits, and it is a haul and a half to the next stop on our mini-tour: Nashville, TN for the NBL Music City Nationals this weekend.

Meanwhile, check out the following SLC resources to temporarily quench that thirst for knowledge:

BMXNOW Twitter Updates from SLC. Just for a little “appetizer” portion of what went down.

Results posted on ABABMX.COM

And, of course, the BMXNOW photo galleries. Saturday is posted now. The Sunday Gallery will be posted Wednesday morning.

Hot Racing, Hot Weather on tap in Alabama

Mike Carruth — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:43:50 +0000

BMXNOW is heading to the sweltering South this weekend to bring you story and photos from the ABA Wiregrass Nationals in Dothan, AL. In much the same way as nobody who is from there calls Los Angeles “LA,” we have been advised to ease-off on the “Sweet Home Alabama” references. Well, the opening chord springs eternal in our memory, so if one slips out, please forgive. We have stocked the iPod playlist with Southern Rock favorites, and even packed a shirt with the arms cut off.

Watch for story and photo gold to start surfacing late Friday night, and on through the weekend. Follow “BMXNOW” on Twitter for as-they-happen updates from the infield. We need to find out what “wiregrass” truly is, so if any of you want to point some out to us, we’d be much obliged.

Randy Rocks the House andDom Rings Elite Cash Register

Mike Carruth — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:00:45 +0000

Copy Courtesy of BMXNEWS.COM

A total of 176 motos on Saturday was one moto off from the total Mike Fields postulated in his Friday night post on Vintage. Saturday’s racing was solid, and the competition was strong in most classes. Seems a lot of people are still getting used to how what we used to understand as pro is now somewhere in-between (lots of head scratching on how, for example, Corben Sharrah can win Jr. Men and get second in A Pro at the same time. Forget how massive an accomplishment that it, in and of itself). With 27 riders in AA/Elite Men, GHP colors were flying out front all day as Randy Stumpfhauser rock & rolled his #1 plate to the lead. In the main, it was Randy with the win, followed by Jared Graves and Sam Willoughby (both of whom raised the dander of the UCI commissaire by no-showing the Elite Men podium). In Elite women, the Jr. Women class didn’t make, so the ladies were combined in to one 11-rider class on Saturday. There, it was Dom Daniels pretty much unchallenged all day, with Alise Post and Ashley Verhagen in for place and show, respectively. Arielle Martin made her return to the National scene in her Intense uniform (though not the final, final version, which currently in a UPS truck somewhere in the Oklahoma hinterland).

Kind of a sketchy day for BMXNEWS technologically. First, had all three camera batteries run down to zero, as the pro mains were in the gate. Thus, no main photos today (but got some great stuff from first round, so did not sweat it too bad). Then, had a scare for a few hours as the official BMXNEWS iPhone went missing. We had images of a friendly custodian at the Lazy E strolling out of the local pawn shop counting their newfound riches, after discovering it on one of the bleachers. But, not the case. It was strictly a case of a too-old camera bag’s lining swallowing it whole.

Watch for more from Guthrie on MONDAY, as we make the overnight drive back to HQ. Meanwhile, check out the Saturday photo gallery!

NBL Celebrates Eight Winners at Elite Finals

Mike Carruth — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:07:01 +0000

The 2009 NBL Elite season went out like a lion Saturday night, as four classes of pros gated up and got down to business. BMXNOW will have a full report from Louisville on both the Elite and Amateur classes, but the pace of the weekend marches on, and we have to get out to the track. As an appetizer, check out the photo gallery from Saturday evening’s race, and some of the other coverage (including the top three finishes in each class) on our sister site, BMXNEWS.COM

Dominique Daniels Joins Avent/Bombshell

Mike Carruth — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:35:44 +0000

The newsmill that is the NBL Grands started churning out good scoop the moment we entered Louisville City Limits. Got a call from Tim Daniels, alerting BMXNOW that a breaking news press release was sitting in our inbox. Sure enough…here it is:

Avent/Bombshell is proud to announce the signing of one of the USA’s most dominant Girl Pros to come along in a long time. “3D” Dominique Daniels has joined the great team at Bombshell. In addition to outstanding bikes and bike components Avent/Bombshell will be introducing exciting additions to our line of products for 2010. Check out Dominique at the NBL Grands sporting her new frame, forks and wheels.

As the current ABA Girl Pro Champ, UCI North American Champ, USAC JR Elite and Womens Elite we are looking forward to seeing how she does competing for her first NBL Elite Womens Title. With a long-term agreement with “3D” we look forward to an exciting future with Bombshell and at age 16 and with only 5 years racing experience we feel Avent/Bombshell can take her to the ultimate for a BMXer — THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS.

A big BMXNOW congrats to Dom on finding a well-deserved ride, and best of luck this weekend! Looking forward to posting the first photos of her aboard the new scoot very soon (Tim said they were building the new bike at the track as we were speaking. Above, you can see the new team graphics). Also, big thanks to big Tim for keeping us on speed dial! -M

Universal Sports Announces UCI Air Dates

Mike Carruth — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:20:25 +0000

BMXers have been champing at the bit for their first taste of BMX Racing on network air since the Olympics. Well, BMXNOW got the scoop just a few mins ago that the first air date (showing the first stop of the UCI Continental Series, held in conjunction with the ABA Sooner Nationals in Guthrie, OK) will air on May 25, 2009 at 7:00PM. The show will be repeated on May 26 at 3PM and May 31 at 6PM (all times EDT).

Download the rest of the schedule here

BMX Joins the State Games of America

Mike Carruth — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:59:39 +0000

BMX Racing will make its debut at the 2009 State Games of America in Colorado Springs this summer, and racers from 47 states have a chance to see how they stack up during the country’s largest multi-sport event for amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels.

They’ll have that chance at the nation’s highest altitude track, the Pikes Peak BMX venue, sitting at just over 6,700 feet at the foot of Pikes Peak.

BMX will take place July 31 through August 2. Riders can register at: www.stategames.org, with the deadline for states other than Colorado set for June 1. All residents of Colorado and medal winners in all other State Games are eligible to compete. Complete information is available at this site.

We’re talking about it over on Vintage. Come on over and join in the discussion.

ABA Amps Am Event During SX

Mike Carruth — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:01:50 +0000

After months of planning, the guys in Gilbert have come forth with the 411 on what will be an amazing week for BMX, come September. Not only will we get our once-a-year UCI BMX Supercross fix in Chula Vista the weekend of September 18-20, but ABA is bringing a fresh amateur national format to run in conjunction with the SX. The U.S. Open Amateur National will run the normal ABA national format, minus the pros, and race on a soon-to-be-constructed permanent ABA track on the US Olympic Training Center property. “Permanent” as in local races and the whole shot.

ABA CEO BA Anderson said “This is a very exciting event for the ABA, and the entire BMX industry to be involved with. Holding an Amateur event in conjunction with the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup will only fuel the Olympic dreams of US amateur riders, which will help ensure the continued success of future US BMX Olympians.”

Watch BMXNOW.COM, and our Twitter updates for more information on this exciting event.
View the full Press Release on ABABMX.COM

Train with Khalen Young for Bakersfield!

Mike Carruth — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:58:05 +0000

Flipped on the MacBook this morning to find an email from los numero uno, himself (or however you say that with an Aussie accent), Khalen Young. In preparation for the ABA “US Nationals” in Bakersfield, CA on May 1-3, KY is putting on one of his “Race Ready” clinics at Lake Perris BMX on April 26 from Noon – 3PM. At $45 per rider, this is a rare opportunity to ride with, and be coached by ABA’s top pro in 2008. It is sure to be a very productive three hours for all who show up, covering all aspects of your moto mojo (gates, jumps turns, passing…and that little something extra it takes to get the skinny digit). Mention BMXNOW.COM when you sign up for added cred come clinic day.

Email Khalen directly to sign up, or for more info, and be sure to download the promo poster.

Luke Wilson Stars As New Answer BMX Pres.

Mike Carruth — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:32:40 +0000

No, not THAT Luke Wilson. This is Luke Wilson of Calgary, not Coldwater Canyon. A press release just came across the BMXNOW teletype with the following important info on Answer BMX (partially edited for space):
Answer BMX is excited to introduce Luke Wilson of Calgary, Canada as the new owner and President of Answer BMX Products Inc. Wilson and former owner Joey Licata of Valencia, CA have finalized a purchase agreement for an undisclosed amount, which is effective immediately. Wilson has hired former Sun Ringlé and Alienation Brand Manager, Ryan Birk as Vice President. Natarsha Williams-Birk will help oversee the daily operations of Answer BMX from the company’s new HQ in Warsaw IN.

Licata, the driving force behind the Answer BMX brand for years, will continue to own and operate his other three brands, Anarchy BMX, Drive BMX and KB from their current California location.

Look for the public debut of the new Answer BMX under Wilson’s ownership at the upcoming ABA Winter Nationals in Phoenix on March 6 where we will make more exciting new announcements.

BMXNOW will be in Phoenix starting Thursday, March 5, so keep your eyes here for photos and race reports throughout the weekend. Follow BMXNOW on Twitter for the absolute up-to-the-minute scoop from the pits and the infield.