Immediate Release

Nation Wide on Loopd BMX

Babyboy-Riders Wear is hosting the first annual Babyboy – “Showdown at the Ranch” in association with Empire BMX.  This event will be held at Ramp Ranch in Georgetown, Texas on October 12, 2008. Our goal is to bring BMX street/park riders from all over the country to Central Texas and celebrate all that makes this sport awesome to watch. Georgetown, TX is located about 20 miles from Austin, Texas the live music capital of the world and home to the famous 6^th street.

All riders for beginner to expert are invited to participate, as we will have several levels of competition. There will be many corporate sponsors providing prize packs for the event finalists. There will also be cash prizes for pro and expert finalists. There will be food, live music, but most important the best BMX riders’ Central Texas and the country have to offer.

Babyboy-Riders Wear is an apparel company providing the action sports community with quality products from tee shirts to fitted hats.  This competition is a way for us to thank those that have supported this company but also an opportunity for the BMX community to learn more about Babyboy-Riders Wear.

For more information or to register please call 888-528-0040 or send an email to johng@babyboyriderswear.com.  You can check the website at www.babyboyriderswear.com

The Olympics are Coming...

So, we got together with BMX Mania to launch a new community for bmx riders, industry and new comers to talk about it, get the latest news and updates, read interviews and connect with the Olympic athletes.

Show Your Support, Join Now >

Graphic courtesy of CrupiBMX.com

BeijingBMX.com Reader's Note - Crupi/Europe Factory Rider, Jelle Van Gorkum is one of the most fearsome riders on the very competitive European BMX Racing circuit. Jelle has tons of titles to his name, including 9 Dutch National Class & Cruiser, 14 European Class & Cruiser and 5 UCI BMX World Class & Cruiser #1's, and he's been racing since he was four years old!

OK, the guy's been around.

BeijingBMX.com stopped by the Van Grokum pits in Holland to check in with JVG on what some of his thoughts are on the upcoming Beijing BMX Event, have at it, he's the man!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beijing BMX – Hey, Jelle Van Gorkom, Crupi Junior Men’s BMX Star of Euro and World BMX Battles! How’s it goin’, buddy? 

Jelle – I'm fine thanks..

Beijing BMX – We’d like to ask you some questions about what you think are some of possibilities for the Beijing Olympic BMX Event, BUT, before we get in to all of that, can you tell us, what happened to you and your shoulder right after the UCI BMX Worlds in Taiyuan, China?

Jelle – In the beginning of this season I had to choose to have shoulder operation and a six month recovery or, RIDE with a "brace" the whole season which is not really comfortable but I decide to do that and do the same operation after the Worlds.

Beijing BMX – You are usually a player when it comes to UCI Worlds Finals, what happened to you this year? We missed you in the class finals but saw you taking a strong Bronze in Junior Men’s Cruiser.

Jelle – Yep, what can I say, Everybody knows that Junior is a hard class, and results in the past dont give you any guarantees for the future. But that is BMX!! I felt pretty strong that day, in my quarter I had a good gate together with Sam, took the inside  but went too high and went over the turn, he and some other guys passed me and that was it!! And the next day I took Bronze in Cruiser, I am happy with that.

Beijing BMX – Well, I guess that you’re pretty bummed about your Jr. Men’s final, are you Junior again for the UCI BMX World Championships in Adelaide, Australia for next Summer of 2009 and if so, what plans do you have for that race?

Jelle – Oh yeah...I was bummed about that race,...you know everybody works hard to be there but because of my shoulder I had to work double as hard to be 100% for the Worlds, then you are on the gate and everyting is going good, And then "BOOM" you are out in the quarter. But again that's BMX. Yes, for sure I will be there next year if everything will be OK with my shoulder. My plans for that race? First thing is get back on my bike, which will be sometime in December, work hard. qualify myself and then don't make mistakes in my quarter, Ha Ha... 

Beijing BMX – OK, let’s get down to biz on some of your opinions about the Olympics. Since there are ‘only’ going to be 32 men and 16 women in the Olympics, do you think that the Big O is kind of “easier” than, say, the UCI BMX Worlds, or the Euro Championships where there are like 120 Elite Men and twice as many more ladies than there will be in the Olympic event?

Jelle – That's a hard one haha..  It's totally a diffrent race. In the first place the Olympics will be the most exciting event there is... But yes I think it will be easier than a Worlds or SX or Euro race, and that is because of the Country ranking I guess!!

Beijing BMX – Check this one out……Considering that there are limited amounts of riders to be able to be on each team, which country do you consider to be your Top Three?

Jelle – I have to say. 1. USA   2. LATVIA  3. NETHERLANDS.

Beijing BMX – Let’s go back to school and study a little BMX Geography. Let’s start with the Elite Men……..Give us your best shot as to the strongest rider(s) and each country/region’s chance in the Olympics. Let’s start with Australia…..

Jelle – who is going for Australia? Graves, Young, Madill?? yeah!!

Beijing BMX – How about the MIGHTY LATVIANS, with their three guys from such a little tiny country with so few tracks?

Jelle - Awesome!!! Strombergs (current WORLDCHAMP), Matisons, Lakucs.. watch out for those guys!!

Beijing BMX – What about The Netherlands? You know those guys pretty well.

Jelle – De Wilde, V/D Biezen, V/D Wildenberg, (Scherpen). If you look at the SX race from last year all these 4 guys were in the final!!! Dont forget that!!! Now only three will actually be on the gate.. 77 Afro Bob is my man for GOLD!!! Hopefully the other 2 can make it an ORANGE podium!!!

Beijing BMX – Let’s move on to Kyle Bennett and the boys from Team USA. (We don’t know exactly who the final third rider will be but figure on Donny or Steven Cisar, probably? Maybe throw Tyler Brown or David Herman in there?)

Also, check out Scott Erwood and Jimmy Brown from Canada, can’t forget the other North Americans, since they qualified a rider.

Jelle - Kyle and Mike, dont know who the 3rd person will be?? Hopefully my Teammate, Tyler Brown from CRUPI!!!! Good Luck mate!! But one thing is sure at least one of those guys will be in the Final!!! Scott Erwood also from Crupi, or J Brown.... I wont say more about that one haha...

Beijing BMX – What about Zee French?

Jelle – Allier and Godet, right?? Both could be in for a final and a medal.... Salut!!

Beijing BMX – Can you comment on the rest of Europe as a whole, Belgium, Denmark, U.K., etc?

Jelle – I don't know that much about these countries... Dubois, Balterzen and my Teammate from CRUPI Liam Phillips? Good riders, can be a dangerous outsider if they go!!!!

Beijing BMX – This is a BIG one……Let’s cover the whole of South America in one swoop.

Jelle – Sorry, don't know much about South America, can't comment on those guys, except to say that they're pretty fast!

Beijing BMX – What about the UCI Training Center’s Sifiso Nhlapo, from South Africa?

Jelle – He will be right in there and try to make his move on the first straight.. RAW POWER..

Beijing BMX – Dude, if I forgot any regions, please make sure to fill in the blanks.

Jelle - Didnt you forgot NORWAY?? Karjtford!!!!!

Beijing BMX - Saving the women for last, can you skim off the top five riders and talk about them? (Figure that the Top Riders, are something like, Shanaze Reade, Anne-Caro, Laëtitia, Sarah Walker, Jana Horakova, Lieke Klaus, Gabirela Diaz, Jill Kintner, etc, etc.

Jelle – If you ask me Shanaze is topfavourite, is she doing TRACK as well??!!! but Anne-Caro and Laëtitia will be close behind her!!!! Then there is a fight between a lot of riders... Diaz, Horakova, Kintner.. NZL's Walker??

Beijing BMX – What do you have to say about the Olympics and their impact on the sport? Thumbs up? Thumbs down?

Jelle – In the last 2 years it brought the sport to a higher level.....hopefully the sport will get what it deserves!!!!

Beijing BMX – How do you think next season is going to look without the shadow of an Olympic Event looming over the year?

Jelle - Same as what happends in every Olympic sport... it will go down for 2 years and then 2 years before 2012 it will be going up again!!!

Beijing BMX - Is there anything in particular that you are looking for in the BMX Racing Event?

Jelle – Not really, but maybe something in particular. A BMX rider is always looking for things at a race, like good track, hard competition, GOLD!!!!

Beijing BMX – Jelle, thanks so much for the Olympic Interview! You have our best regards and prayers for a speedy healing with your shoulder, keep up the good work and see you at the track!

Jelle – Your Welcome, No problem, I will watch it live on Europsport somewere between 02:00 and 04:00!!!!

Beijing BMX – Hey, we forgot, real quick. Any one that you’d like to send a big “Thank You” out to?

Jelle – BeijingBMX.com for the cool interview. All my sponsors, from CRUPI, Greg Swingrover, Pete Phillips, Jorg de Louw, John Theissen, Cyrille Olive. My mom and dad, my sister, my friends and girlfriend!!! Hope i didn't forget anybody?? Thank you all!!

Beijingbmx.com just put up videos from the crowd at yesterday's US Olympic Trials.  The footage is from the time trials and the 3 motos following and it's really great quality.



Go Watch >

The broadcast of the Olympic Trials Event in Chula Vista will be:  Sunday June 15th, 2008 on MSNBC @ 12pm Eastern time.

Don't miss it! 

Eight Athletes Set to Compete for Spot on 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, Saturday, June 14

Contact:  Andy Lee (Tel.) 719.866.4867 (Mobile) 719.231.2041 (E-mail) alee@usacycling.org (Website) www.usacycling.org

Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 4, 2008)—USA Cycling announced today the eight athletes who will compete at next week’s 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Cycling (BMX). 

With the overall winner of the event earning an automatic nomination to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, the competitors include: Tyler Brown (San Clemente, Calif.), Danny Calaug (Chino, Calif.), Steven Cisar (Altadena, Calif.), Mike Day (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Kristopher Fox (Phelan, Calif.), Bubba Harris (Goodyear, Ariz.), David Herman (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) and Donny Robinson (Napa, Calif.).

Following the 2008 UCI BMX World Championships last weekend, USA Cycling selected its Long Team – a list of athletes eligible to represent the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games. In addition to the eight aforementioned athletes, Kyle Bennett (Conroe, Texas) and Randy Stumpfhauser (Sanger, Calif.), were also nominated to the Long Team, but neither will compete at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Bennett has already secured an automatic nomination to the Olympic Team as the overall leader of the 2008 USA Cycling BMX Rankings, while Stumpfhauser declined his nomination.

Robinson (2^nd), Day (3^rd) and Cisar (4^th) all earned automatic nominations to the Long Team and invitations to the Olympic Team Trials by virtue of their top five ranking in the final standings of the 2008 USA Cycling BMX Rankings.  Since Stumpfhauser (5^th) declined his nomination, Calaug (6^th) then received an automatic bid as the next athlete in the rankings.

Brown, Fox, Herman and Harris were all discretionary nominations to the Long Team and were extended invitations to the Olympic Team Trials based on various factors, including UCI BMX Supercross World Cup results, USA Cycling BMX Rankings, podium finishes and recent performance trends.

Despite suffering a mid-season injury, Brown is one of only six Americans to qualify for a Supercross final this season and placed fourth at the opening round in Madrid last February.

The youngest invitee at 19 years of age, Fox qualified for the semifinals of the season’s third Supercross last month in Copenhagen.

Herman is one of only two Americans to win a Supercross this season with a victory at the second round in Adelaide, Australia last April. He is also one of only two U.S. riders to score points in all three 2008 Supercross events thus far.

A world champion in 2005, Harris has missed much of the last two seasons because of injury but has shown he’s consistently returning to form with a pair of top-ten finishes in the time trial qualifiers of Supercross races this season.  He also advanced to the semifinals at the Adelaide Supercross.

Per USA Cycling’s Olympic Selection Procedures, a women’s Long Team was also selected.  Five women received automatic nominations to the Long Team based on the final 2008 USA Cycling BMX Rankings – Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash.), Arielle Martin (Pleasant Grove, Utah), Amanda Geving (Largo, Fla.), Stephanie Barragan (Montclair, Calif.) and Kim Hayashi (Chandler, Ariz.).  There were no discretionary nominations to the women’s Long Team.

As the top-ranked athlete in the USA Cycling BMX Rankings, Kintner will receive an automatic nomination to the final Olympic Team.

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Cycling (BMX) are set for Saturday, June 14 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. 

MEDIA INFORMATION

·         Requests for accreditation must be made by Monday, June 9. Applications are available online at www.usacycling.org, or by clicking here.

·         A complete document outlining the competition and scoring format for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Cycling (BMX) is available by clicking here.

·         A complete race schedule is available by clicking here.

·         The Doubletree San Diego – Mission Valley has been named the Official Media Hotel for the event.  Journalists covering the event are offered a special discounted rate of $129/night from Wed., June 11 through Sun., June 15.  To take advantage of this rate, call 1-800-222-TREE (8733) or visit www.sandiegomissionvalley.doubletree.com and refer to the group code, UCB.

2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Cycling (BMX)

U.S. Olympic Training Center – Chula Vista, Calif.

Saturday, June 14

List of Competitors:

Tyler Brown (San Clemente, Calif.)

Danny Calaug (Chino, Calif.)

Steven Cisar (Altadena, Calif.)

Mike Day (Santa Clarita, Calif.)

Kristopher Fox (Phelan, Calif.)

Bubba Harris (Goodyear, Ariz.)

David Herman (Wheat Ridge, Colo.)

Donny Robinson (Napa, Calif.).

About USA Cycling   

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization and sanctioning body, USA Cycling consists of 64,000+ members, including 57,000 competitive cyclists, 1,500 coaches, 4,000 student-athletes, 2,200 officials, 350 professional cyclists, and 200 certified mechanics. USA Cycling also sanctions 2,500 competitive and non-competitive organized cycling events throughout the United States annually, as well as 1,800 clubs and teams. Associations of USA Cycling include the United States Cycling Federation (road, track & cyclo-cross), the National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), the BMX Association, the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the United States Professional Racing Organization. USA Cycling is also responsible for the identification, development, support and promotion of American cyclists through various athletic initiatives and programs including the USA Cycling National Development Team, the USA Cycling Women’s National Team, the USA Cycling Junior Development Team, Talent Identification and Regional Development Camps, domestic and international race calendars, direct athlete funding and support programs, and educational camps and seminars. USA Cycling also fields and supports U.S. National Teams for various international events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, Continental Championship and World Cups across all levels and disciplines of competitive cycling. USA cycling further supports grass roots and locally-based initiatives through its 32 Local Associations and comprehensive network of licensed and certified coaches and officials. Additionally, USA Cycling conducts National Championship events for amateur and professional cyclists, awarding more than 600 national titles annually to men and women in junior, U23, masters, elite, professional and paralympic categories throughout the various disciplines of competitive cycling. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org. For media-related or general inquiries, please contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867 or alee@usacycling.org. 

We have joined forces with ABA BMX to create www.ababmxracers.com - a bmx racers community on the Loop'd Network.  This is your place to get featured and connect with other racers from around the world!  Join today and submit your profile for your chance to get featured in the BMXer Magazine and to the BMX industry!  Click Here

Every month, 10 local racers from all different age ranges, classes and local tracks across the country will be featured on the back cover of the BMXer Magazine, on the homepage of ABAbmxracers.com and in a monthly Newsletter sent to all ABA members, BMX Tracks and BMX Companies.  One top expert or A Pro racer will also be featured as the Racer of the Month and their talents will be recognized with premium placement on the BMXer ad and on the Community homepage



Look for the following featured racers in the June issue of BMXer Magazine and on ababmxracers.com:

The community provides tools and applications allowing racers to connect around their passion of BMX racing.   Members can upload and share photos, videos, race reports and talk about racing topics including races, tracks, and gear..



In addition, the community is integrated with the points section of the ABA website (ababmx.com), where visitors and sponsors can look up points standings and instantly link to a racers profile to connect with them.

Join the Community and Get Featured Today!