Mountain biking

Winter Nationals in Phoenix Hosted the Fastest BMX Riders on the Planet

For the next 18 months or so, the USA BMX pro races with UCi points on the line, will be extremely important since they will determine which country's get a ticket to the Olympics, and which riders will make the list as their country's Olympic hopefuls. This explains why Winter Nationals in Phoenix at Black Mountain BMX saw such a variety of International riders from all over the globe; France, Brazil, Italy, and Argentina were in Phoenix hoping to get a jump on the UCi points scale. Of them all, Brazil would have to come out as the most impressive - seeing their 2012 Olympian - Renato Rezende, making it to the Elite Men's final.

12. 3. 2015 Photos: 14

After introducing each main-maker in the traditional pro rollout -where the place erupted for local hero Corben Sharrah, the final 8 were locked and loaded for the 1-lap, no crap main event. With Sam Willoughby on the inside, Connor Fields and his teammate Joris Daudet in the middle and Jared Garcia and Rezende on the outside, the gate slammed down and these future Olympic hopefuls went from zero to 30 in record-time. The Chase twins - Fields and Daudet had killer starts, but by the first obstacle, France's Amidou Mir bumped Doudet, who then bumped Fields - and that was just enough to give Willougby and Anthony Dean the freedom they wanted to lay down their power. To the first turn, it was Dean - grabbing the $250 Answer Holeshot money - and looking strong to score his first big win of the year. But Willoughy was right there, stalking his prey, waiting to pounce like a cheetah.

Down the rhythm-infested fourth straightaway, Sam was setting up Dean for a move, as Box Components Jared Garcia was holding down 3rd place - trying to position himself to take advantage of any opportunity that might arise. In the final turn, Sam went for the swoop and stole the lead from Dean - and Garcia, with the quick reaction-time of a Ninja, raced Dean to the stripe for the 2-spot, and narrowly nabbed the 2nd. Pure Excitement! ...and exactly what you'd expect from the fastest BMXers on the planet.

Men Elite Results

1.SAM WILLOUGHBY, REDLINE, CA
2.JARED GARCIA, BOX COMPONENTS /DK,CA
3.ANTHONY DEAN, CHASE/DHR, NZ

Meanwhile, in the fastest ladies class - Alise Post was out to start yet another win-streak for this brand new season. Stoked to see that the women were finally given an equal pay-scale as the men for 2015, and with a tough class of 21 of the fastest female BMXers on the planet - it could be a good payday for the girl from St. Cloud.

Alice Post