8 minute read
WINTER NATIONALS
by USA BMX
Albe’s Hayden Passanisi, taking the high road with style.
photos & story by gOrk
Pro Open contenders Vance and Howes get their snap on while Moore falls asleep.
e call it “The Danger Zone.” It’s the spot in the infield that is usually best for photos or video, but also in closest proximity of getting run over by a detoured rider or two. Often, rookie photographers stand there, not knowing that at any time a racer could get booted off the track and plow ‘em down. Normally, I know better. After shooting BMX for the past 30-some years, I can count the time I’ve gotten slammed on one hand. But that’s where I was on Saturday night, filming the Live webcast of the Winter Nationals. The night before, our guest cameraman, “Life-with-Clive,” had set up there, high between turns one and three, and hadn’t come close to getting run over, so I figured I’d take the risk and get the best action for our viewers. The racing in Phoenix was epic, as always. The new changes to Black Mountain’s track over the winter break made for some GREAT racing! Whether you were there watching the mains in front of you, or one of the thousands of fans watching it Live on USA BMX’s facebook and YouTube channels, the intensity was picking up from the beginning of The Girls Club all the way up to the older X’s. That’s when 17-20x rolled their wheels into the gate. Eight of the burliest Amateur racers known to mankind - including the current Ruler of the class - NAG No.1 Drew Polk. Right now he is THE MAN to beat. But about an hour earlier, it looked as if he might not even make the big show at all. In the 17-20x semi, there was a fivebike pileup in turn one. Fortunately, Polk got up quick enough to get back in the top-four - and now, it was time for redemption. When Saturday’s main rolled into the gate, everybody knew this would be a crazy one! Down the first straight, it was Polk and Alpha’s Cameron Wing (as his “Wing-man,” you might say). As they blasted into turn one, Drew gave Wing a little flick of his own wing, and Cameron flew off the top of the berm like Superman. Look, viewers! Up, up in the sky ...it’s not a bird. Not a plane. It’s Wing and his flying Alpha heading right towards us. He, the tripod and myself hit the dirt. BLAM-O! Meanwhile, Polk’s lil’ push slowed his momentum down just enough for his LSG teammate Valentino Elizondo (the racer formerly known as Peter Choat) to take over the lead. Valentino flew to the front, but Polk PULL Magazine 57
Ol’ Scooby Snacks - Brady Oneil. Hurricane Leakey -vs- Brooklyn Van Renselaar
AZ-05 District-1 Memphis Day. Answer’s John Kerr.
Ssquared’s Aiden Ragle Wifi Christiansen is on the Radio. Zeronine’r Ian Herman.
Alpine’s Slater Sabin carves a low line.
This year, it was Black Mountain’s turn to hold the annual two-day Battle of the Cycling Colleges.
Scores would be tallied up to decide the winner. A Collegiate Champ title would be handed to one male and one female athlete, but the real bragging rights go to the College who wins the overall title. The College team chase was heated all weekend, with Marian and CMU switching back ‘n forth with the points lead. Then on Sunday, Lindsey-Wilson College stepped up their game and scored enough points to overtake the lead and win the overall Championship. Believe it or not, the usually unbeatable Marian-U, were beat. Lindsey-Wilson ended their 10 year drought and amazingly, put a stop to the Marian win-streak. Patrick Coo, a LWC student, stated on his FB page - “We were a small team,
but mighty.”
For the individual titles, the Mens winner went to CMU’s Brayden Kempel - the super stylish ripper from Minnesota who calls Grand Junction, CO his home for now. And in the Womens field, Oregon native Olivia Armstrong scored up another stars ‘n bars Collegiate jersey for her collection. 60
Jacob Wood, Trey Vrotney and Levi Walkington.
stuck to his back wheel like a seasoned double-A pro. Into turn three, Polk railed the berm for all it was worth and pulled up alongside Elizondo for a drag race to the next turn. Drew was just slightly smoother, put on his left blinker and regained the lead. Out of the last 90-degree turn, LSG’s dynamic duo were still side-byside, with Polk getting the push (and the win) at the white stripe. By far - it was THEE most exciting race of the weekend. Thanks to Cameron Wing for not slammin’ me and our brand new Video cam too hard. Obviously, that was THEE best race of the weekend, going viral on the USA BMX Instagram. But it wasn’t the only exciting match-ups. In the girls’ classes, Danica Anderson, has now joined one of the toughest classes for girls = 15-16 year olds. As a freshie 15 year old, this class is bound to be exciting this year, as the Anderson family legacy will be put to the ultimate test, up against the super quick and experienced 16 year olds. That includes the reigning Queen of BMX - Ava Corley, with her fresh black plate with a big white No.1 on it. On Friday, Danica and her Answer teammate Chloe Kappen, went one and two (after Corley bailed in turn one). The next two days, Ava checked out of the main by turn one, with a solid four bike length lead. She was GONE! On Sunday, Danica and Chloe finished out the weekend with a two and three. We can’t wait to see more of the Anderson -vs- Corley rivalry this year. It could become the new show to watch, like Ronnie -vs- Cedric was last year. Speakin’ of Cedric... The new franchiseplayer for Impact could make them the big surprise this season in Bike Shop competition. But don’t count out the Sharks, Bay Area bunch or the newlyformed Albe contingent. Without a doubt, the team chases in 2022 are going to be hot ‘n heavy. At the Winters, local teams Fall Risk Racing and Gordy’s bike shop, defended their Black Mountain turf in fine fashion - with FFR winning on Friday night and Gordy’s scoring a third place score. In factory, we saw three different winners over all three days. If the 2022 Winter Nationals were any indication of what’s to come, we are all in for THEE most exciting season of BMX Racing our sport has ever had! ...and you can quote me on that.
DETAILS Date: Feb. 18 - 20, 2022 Location: Black Mountain BMX City/State: N. Phoenix, AZ
Top-5 Collegiate Men 16x’s (L to R): Jiro Higuchi, P.J. O’Brien and Drake Velador.
States Represented 38 ! Countries Represented Only 2
Moto Counter
Friday 322/Saturday 337/Sunday 306 Social Media Reach: 2,726,145
Team Winners Friday:
Bike Shop - Fall Risk Racing Factory - Answer
Saturday:
Bike Shop - BMX Sharks Factory - Full Tilt - Radio
Sunday
SQORZ TIMING LEADERS Overall Men
Cedric Cade 35.485 Sec
Overall Women
Olivia Armstrong 39.201 Sec
12 & Under Boys
Kaiden Ireland 41.166 Sec
12 & Under Girls
Annalyse Solano 43.278 Sec
DOUBLES
Danica Anderson 15-16 Girls Cruiser Danica Anderson 15-16 Girls Expert Katy Cyrus 13 Girls Expert Katy Cyrus 13-14 Mixed Open Drew Polk 17-20 Expert Drew Polk 17-20 Open Nigel Eharis 26-35 Intermediate Nigel Eharis 31 & Over Mixed Open Maci Fry 7 Girls Expert Maci Fry 7-8 Mixed Open Shane Harlow 26-30 Cruiser Shane Harlow 26-35 Expert Lily Ashley 11 Girls Expert Lily Ashley 11-12 Girls Cruiser Austin Leakey 7-8 Mixed Open Austin Leakey 8 Intermediate Derin Merten 13 Girls Expert Derin Merten 13-14 Mixed Open
DOUBLESx2
Knox Perkins 10 Expert Knox Perkins 9-10 Open Derek Wipprecht 17-20 Intermediate Derek Wipprecht 17-20 Mixed Open Rowdy Holzer 12 Cruiser Rowdy Holzer 12 Expert Ryder Robinett 13 Cruiser Ryder Robinett 13 Expert
DOUBLESx3
Andy Contes 31 & Over Open Andy Contes 41-45 Expert Hidi Cramer 41+ Women Expert Hidi Cramer 46-50 Women Cruiser Preslie Gould 11-12 Mixed Open Preslie Gould 12 Girls Expert Daniel Johnson 7 & Under Cruiser Daniel Johnson 7 Expert Nicolas Moulton 6 & Under Open Nicolas Moulton 6 Expert Eliza Newton 10 & Under Girls Cruiser Eliza Newton 10 Girls Expert Remy Sessa 6 & Under Mixed Open Remy Sessa 6 Girls Expert Jason Silva 46-50 Cruiser Jason Silva 46-50 Expert Greyson Sneed 8 Cruiser Greyson Sneed 8 Expert Courtney Tomei 31-35 Women Cruiser Courtney Tomei 31-40 Women Expert
PHOTO: DEREK BETCHER
PHOTO: GARRET RAPP
