2015 USA BMX Spring Nationals Race Report

Filed under General on May 23, 2015 | Comment(s)

There’s something magical about a bright blue sky out in the desert. That is what everyone was treated to last night at Duke City BMX. The huge roof here provides more than enough adequate shade from the deceiving sunlight of Albuquerque.

Practice kicked off without a hitch and we were surprised to see Haro~Promax team manager Donovan Long cruising the pits. He’s doing double duty this weekend by running teams at both the Music City Nationals and here at the Spring Nationals. Look for more on mastermind behind one of the most successful bmx team programs in the history of the sport later this year.

The track here at the Springs is a bit toned down from last year but still keeps riders on their toes for sure. The bonsais’ are still in place and there is a huge quad step up heading into turn two. We’re destined to see some awesome battles and lead changes throughout the weekend.

There were a few riders racing last night that caught our eye. The first was 4 year old intermediate Tristan Solomon from the Phoenix area. He had two more than impressive laps to take the win over two older riders. He’s one to keep an eye on for today and tomorrow’s events. We also saw some great laps from the Vogel brothers out of Colorado. The elder Max put on a clinic in the 11 Expert class. We’ll have to get some spy shots of the disc brake on his custom bike later today.

That’s it for now. Don’t forget that we’re broadcasting audio from both nationals this weekend at www.usabmx.com/webcast. Tell your friends and family!

SATURDAY

Eight A-Pros showed up to dice it up for top honors at Duke City BMX. The favorites going in had to be locals Kalvin Davis and Thomas Fernandez, both Duke City BMX locals and track workers. Unfortunately, they both found there way to the ground during the mains.
Thomas went into the third round with a chance at victory but slide out in the process. Rift/Tangent’s Jacob Abbe kept it consistent and pulled off the first win in his short pro career. Despite some pro section woes, Fast Signs’ Marty Wisehart finished with a strong second place.

2015 marks the first time in ten years that there was no USA Cycling National Championships for challenge racers. This meant no medals and no stars and bars jersey for the winners of those classes. The flipside was that riders had a choice of two locations to qualify for the World Championships in Belgium.

Right out of the gate New York’s Jena Sagendorf punched her ticket to Zolder by winning the 17-29 Women’s Cruiser class. She also gets the “we traveled the furthest to get here” award as well. Some other notables in the challenge groups were Bloodline’s Noah Miguel, Fast Signs’ Bryce Batten and Blaze factory’s Braxton Elsen. We want to wish everyone good luck to everyone who qualified. Go Team USA.

Cruiser was up next and welcomed riders back to regular racing. Jordyn Miranda (not the A-Pro, but the uber fast 9 year old young lady from Arizona) got the job done in 10 & Under Girls cruiser.  

We’re not sure much else needs to be said about W1 Jordan Scott. She went uncontested all weekend and was seen skying the huge quad step up multiple times. Steezy.

 Our Midwest buddy Coy Brookshire was charging hard down the last straight with Amakye Andersen in the 11 year old main event and came up a little short on a manual and went straight over the bars.  As bad as it looked he was not seriously injured and would come back later in the mains and grab a 6^th in 11 X.

The 510 Bay Area BMXers were going crazy in the stands as their 36-40 Cruiser Corey Mitchell led early but languishing close behind was Gordy’s Chris Knapp. Mitchell left a bit too much room in the inside of the final turn and that’s where Knapp made his move. He overtook Mitchell’s line and rode on to victory. Mitchell is so close to getting a win he can taste it. We suspect it won’t take too much longer.

One of the best battles at the Spring Nationals was in the 11 girls class between Mad Cycles’ Andie Kincheloe and Bicycle Experience’ Sarah Bingham.

Andie and her pink spokes secured the wins both days but Sarah definitely kept her honest during many laps.

The second place trophies that Sarah took back home to Colorado are her best national finishes to date. Remember both of these girls’ names. You’ll be hearing them again for sure.

15-16 Girls has been one of the tougher groups the last few season but it was no trouble for Free Agent’s Taylour Howard. She was spotted running a 3 digit number which is seldom seen out in front of a girls class at a national. Not only was she out in front but she was waaaay out in front. We expect to see her on the gate come grands time fighting for that elusive NAG 1 plate.

Michael Mitchell has steadily been climbing the expert ranks over the past few seasons and he’s finally coming into his own. He won 7 Expert in a convincing fashion and was even seen styling it up over the double out of the first turn. All that training with the current #1 team in the bike shop division must be paying off. Yay Area!

The Gunderson brothers out of Chandler, AZ are some of the raddest little dudes we’ve ever seen and this weekend was no exception. The LDC mounted lads won back-to-back mains in 9 and 10 Expert. Chase even cleared quadzilla…..at 10…..impressive.

As the day wound down we saw stellar performances from Supercross’ Gavin Bowers, National # 1 Am Radro Jaworsky, Free Agent’s Chrystofer Davis, GT’s Dougie Butcher, and the Vendetta/Elite boss Eric Dyer.

The best thing about races this size is the amount of time that families have to take in the city. What more could you ask for? The 2015 Spring Nationals and the city of Albuquerque definitely delivered.

Sunday

The A-Pros were back at it early Sunday morning.  After leading multiple laps BFR’s Paul Wassenar got the job done and took home the big check. Jacob Abbe kept it consistent and secured the 2^nd place spot and a here’s a name we haven’t heard in a while…. Nicholas Koehler grabbed the third for Crupi.

DHR’s diggity dog Bryce Betts started his day off walking off the track with a flat tire. He ended it by taking the win in 21-25 Open. That’s what happens when you keep a positive outlook on the day despite things not going as planned. Take notes kids!

Gilbert, AZ local Suzanne Boreland scored up two big wins in 51-55 Women’s Cruiser. We hear that is a first for her. We’ll see if she can duplicate it on her annual trip to South Park in about a month or so. 

“The Russian” Wyatt Worth worked his magic in the 8 cruiser class. Ever since he joined up with Renny Husada’s Yess crew he’s been going ultra fast. He also got himself a double on day 1 with a sweet last turn move in 8 Expert. Elbows out.

Remember back on Friday when we told you about 4 year old Inter Tristan Solomon? Well he delivered in a big way down the last straight in 5 & Under Intermediate. He was able to out maneuver Redman Jr. Devo’s Jaiden Bliss and grab his 1^st national win as an I. Nothing beats getting a trophy that’s taller than you are.

Super local Joseph Sharp and his cool aviation inspired helmet took top honors in 11 Intermediate. His fellow local Zack Griego finished up with a big win in 13 I and is now your newest Expert. Way to defend your home turf gentlemen.

Mike Redman’s Jr. Devo squad is looking more promising every time out and it won’t be long before they’re back battling it out in the factory ranks. One of the riders that is leading the charge is 9 Girl Gianna Davila. She left all the girls in her dust throughout the weekend. Great job representing the tribe!

When Sabrina Bice isn’t studying out at collegiate cycling powerhouse Lindsey Wilson University she’s winning nationals in 17-20 Women.  Sunday marked her 7^th win on the year and come November she may be switching out the red background on her ROC plate for a gray one. We shall see.

Its not too often that “Cannonball” Jack Kelley has an off weekend but this was one of them. Haro~Promax’s Leo Hile had his number every time they were on the track together and Jack even met the dirt a few times. We’re sure he can’t wait to get back home and prepare for the Great Salt Lake Nationals in a few weeks.

The “BB King” of cool Bryce Batten paid homage to his late great namesake by letting the good times roll all weekend at Duke City. He’s well on his way to challenging Tangent Cartel member Bryant White to regain his lost NAG 1 title.

We closed out the weekend with a win by Bubba Hayes in 46 & over Expert.  We want to thank all the fine folks at Duke City BMX for their hospitality and all the racers and their family for spending their Memorial Day weekend with us. Until next time keep the rubber side down….