FEATURE: USAC CHAMPS

Certain races and titles throughout BMX Racing identify the top of any given class. With District Champ, State, and Gold Cup No. 1 to NAG and NAT No.1 being the goals for amateurs, once a racer leaps to the pro class, the number of title opportunities dwindles but the competition triples. With the USA BMX National No. 1 Men and Women Pro titles fought for throughout the season, a chance for the best in the US to solidify their spot as top dogs in the class is a sought-after title year after year. The 2022 USA Cycling National Championships, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the final day of the Legacy Nationals, gave racers the one-day shot to earn top honors and to add the National Championship sleeve to their race kit. Throughout the race day, it was a flip of the coin and roll of the dice on who would take home the sleeve come main event time. The town of Tucson, Arizona, reigned supreme for the Men and Women Elites. Daleny Vaughn and Corben Sharrah crossed the line at the Hardesty National BMX Stadium National Championship, but the work to get them there started months, even years, beforehand. For Vaughn, her title in Tulsa was the first in her career and came in only her third year in the class. Daleny chipped away at her goals and training throughout her rookie season, using the 2020 season to cultivate her new speed in the Pro class. Charging into the final race of the 2021 season, Vaughn utilized her hard work and consistent laps to land herself at the top of the Grand Nationals podium and with the overall No. 3 for the season. However, Vaughn has found a new gear for the current 2022 season. Kicking the Pro Series off 16

strong with a win at the Sunshine State Nationals, The Tuscon racer has been motivated to take small hill and big hill races by storm. Going into the final race for the 2022 National Championships, Vaughn and Stancil snapped out of the gate tied, but around the track, Vaughn fended off the USA BMX National No.1 Women Pro through turns one and two, taking her first of many titles. Watching Vaughn from behind the gate, fellow Tucson local Corben Sharrah locked into the gate, going for his fourth USA Cycling sleeve and competing with kids nearly a decade younger. But the dad life didn’t stop the Daylight ride. Sharrah is known for his even temper and insane bike control, making him a racer that will forever be a contender in the main event. Charging through the first straight, Sharrah was able to find the inside line and take control. Watching him lead the race, fans’ minds flashed back to countless main events with the 24 bike out in front. While some had put their bets on the younger crowd in the class, the veteran Sharrah showed Tulsa and all of BMX that his early years of riding dirt jumps in his backyard, representing Team USA at the Olympic level, along with decades of race-craft will stack up to big wins and a long career. With a long career under Sharrah’s belt and a long career ahead of Vaughn, TUCSON cheers will be heard from the stands for years to come. Currently gearing up for the World Championships in Nantes, FRA, the Tucson two are ready to make another splash in the elite ranks as they snap out of the gate with W1 in their sights.

The talk of pits, group chats, and Facebook comments’ sections stir up the conversation of “Who’s next.” Well, here you have them. Jesse Welch (U23), Mckenzie Gayheart (U23), Ethan Popovich (Junior), and Keiley Shea (Junior) have shot to the forefront of their respective classes as they came out of Tulsa champions. Jesse Welch, 2016’s National No. 1 Amateur, has been chipping away in the pro class, making his debut as a rookie in Phoenix at the 2021 season opener. The only rookie to make the AMain that night, Welch has since gone on to be a main event contender at each race he enters. With the addition of the Under 23 class to the UCI/USA Cycling events, the class has been his to reign, and he has done just that with his 2022 Nat. Champ Sleeve. Mckenzie Gayheart, 2020’s National

No. 1 Amateur Girl, has wasted little time during her rookie season. From Podium finishes at her first two pro races in Florida to being a constant main maker the rest of the season, “Skittles” has continued to be loved by fans with her constant skill and speed around the track. Keiley Shea, currently in the 15-16x Girls class, has been on a mission to take the next step in her racing career. Utilizing Chula Vista as a big hill training ground, Shea has gotten more and more comfortable on the big hill and was able to power her way to the Stars and Stripes sleeve in 2022. Ethan Popovich, known around the US circuit for his bike skill and insane balance on his back wheel, Popovich has come into a class of his own in the past years and has locked in his place as a podium contender in the amateur ranks. With the jump to the Junior competition, Ethan has been able to utilize his consistent riding on the big hill to chip away at the competition and bide his time until he needs to attack. That’s what he did in Tulsa, as he crossed the line a Champion without ever winning a lap.

Following their sleeve-winning weekend at the 2022 USA Cycling National Championships, the six sleeve winners solidified their spots on the 2022 World Championship team. Those spots allowed them to return to Tulsa for a training camp that brought together the National Team for more than a week of preparation for the World Championships at the end of July in Nantes, FRA. The excitement and nerves are high for their fans. However, after watching the chemistry, mindset, and power these racers bring to the team, we are beyond proud to have watched them grow and bloom into the racers they are today. Many racers know that the life lessons you learn through BMX are profound, and those life lessons, plus those you learn from traveling in BMX, will stick with these racers on and off the track for a lifetime.

GROUND BREAKING

In the world of BMX racing, split seconds make the difference. Race Inc’s design and engineering focus on maximizing your efforts to make every second count. Enter the Neo Retro, a purebred race bike designed to take advantage of cutting edge technology such as the B52®, a renaissance in bottom bracket thinking.

Historically, the bottom bracket shell and crankset were hot spots for torsion. This twisting and deformation resulted in energy loss. The Box® B52® attacks two key factors known to cause this issue: the spindle and the bottom bracket shell. Increase the size of the bottom bracket shell to 52mm ID, include a 35mm spindle and energy loss is drastically reduced. This wider bottom bracket shell also allows for larger, more durable internal bearings. The result is greater power transfer which leads to faster acceleration.