UCI BMX Continental Cup
Victoria International
BMX Western Series # 3 (uci race) #4May 26th & 27th 2007 Victoria BC Canada
Saturday was a UCI race run by the CCA,
And Sunday was a Cycling BC event........
The BMX Western National Series #3 & 4 in Victoria BC Canada
was the first race on the newly build 2007 BMX World's Track, at
the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and is set to take place in July.
News Report Index010 - 2007 UCI BMX World Track Unveiled 009 - BMXer Nygard Rules In Victoria 008 - GT Bicycles Joey Bradford At The UCI BMX Qualifier 007 - Cools Sizzles At BMX Victoria International – Full Results 006 - Cools Turns Up The Heat At New Track 005 - Photos/Videos Of UCI Continental Cup Victoria BC Event 004 - Continent's Best Break In New BMX Track 003 - Born To Ride And Born To Win 002 - Official Unveiling Of BMX Worlds Legacy Track 001 - Information UCI BMX Continental Cup - Victoria International _______________________________________________________________ *** BMX Club Rolls Out New West Shore Track *** Photo - Colwood Mayor Jody Twa and local MLA John Horgan talk about the new track with David Richardson (centre), president of the Victoria BMX World Championship Society. Organizers, riders and politicians alike were revved up at the official opening of the new BMX track at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre. Speaking the day before Victoria International UCI Continental Cup races Saturday and Sunday, David Richardson, president of the Victoria BMX 2007 World Championship Society, said he hopes the new facility will become a future training ground for Canada’s best young riders. Richardson praised the volunteer spirit that enabled the track to be built, lauding the efforts of numerous organizations, sponsors and volunteers that came together to complete the track on time, despite the unseasonably poor weather that plagued the region this winter. The 391-metre track is designed in the classic “W” shape, with a five to six-metre start hill with a Pro-Gate start system and two pro sections. The track includes obstacles and sections designed to challenge novice and elite riders while showcasing the riders’ technical skills to spectators, Richardson said. Colwood Mayor Jody Twa said the track is a great example of the spirit of co-operation and vision embodied by the municipalities involved. It will foster an increasing interest and promote recreational opportunities for families and youth to get involved in a sport that is growing in leaps and bounds, Twa said. Malahat-Juan de Fuca NDP MLA John Horgan noted that the world championships at the new track July 26-29 will bring significant economic activity to the West Shore. “It’s an important part of the recreational and tourism initiatives we’re supporting,” Horgan said. “It’s the blending of volunteerism and community-building that makes this area so unique.” Richardson cited the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society, the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, the Canadian Cycling Association, Michell Excavating, Dave Saunders Enterprises, 1st Team Engineering, Royal Roads University, Don Mann Excavating, Corex Ltd., Avalon Industries, Coneco, Peninsula Paving, DL Bins, Seacor Environmental, City of Colwood, Slegg Lumber, Capital City Paving, Traveller’s Inn, West Bank Developments, Houle Electric, Alpine Disposal and the Department of National Defence and Bob Saunders, in particular, for his long-time efforts in promoting recreational and youth activities on the West Shore. CC - Goldstream News Gazette _______________________________________________________________ *** 2007 UCI BMX World Track Unveiled ***The official track for the 2007 UCI BMX World Championships received rave reviews from the Canadian National BMX team. Six of Canada’s top BMX riders were the first to hit the track at the recent unveiling ceremony at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre. “We’re excited to have the track open,” said David Richardson, President of the Victoria BMX 2007 World Championships Society. “Feedback on the track has been fantastic,” said Richardson. “It’s a great facility that will allow us to send a strong BMX contingent to the Olympics in 2008.” Victoria will host the 2007 UCI BMX World Championship, the last world-class event before the BMX sport makes its debut at the 2008 Olympics. Over 2500 athletes from 40 nations will compete at the UCI BMX World Championships July 26-29, 2007. The development and unveiling of a world- class track in Victoria is a great opportunity for Victoria and the Canadian athletes. The event will showcase both Victoria and the sport of BMX and will potentially generate $16 million in direct and indirect economic activity. According to Samantha Cools, five-time UCI BMX World champion, the new track is world class and will be a good learning tool for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. “It’s hard and challenging, but it’s going to be fun,” said Cools. Riding the track today was a bit nerve racking, said Christine Miller. “It’s a hard track, but we need to step up and prove that we’re World’s material.” Miller, 19, is confident about the upcoming World Championships because the Canadian team has a home track advantage. “It’s pretty cool. This is our track for training for the Worlds.” Tanya Dubnicoff, Canada’s national BMX coach, said riding the track today gave the team a huge advantage. “There’s not enough money in the world that could give the team this kind of advantage,” she said. Pre-riding the track mentally prepares the team and allows them to get their bearings. The team will take advantage of the track by training on it every other week. Overall the team was impressed with the layout and quality of the track. It’s smooth, fairly large and has nice short jumps. Although construction of the track began in October and recommenced two months ago after a wet winter delay, the design has been in the works for almost two years, said Daryll Michell, the track’s contractor and a previous BMX World participant. The track consists of 5000 yards of material and 200 tons of asphalt. CC - Pedal Magazine _______________________________________________________________ *** BMXer Nygard Rules In Victoria ***Seven Vernon BMX racers competed in the CCA/UCI Western National Series last week end in Victoria. It was the Vernon racers’ first opportunity to try the new track that will host the World BMX Championships in July. Six-year-old Zoe Nygard raced in the eight-year-old girls class in Saturday's Western National #3 race, finishing third place. On Sunday, she blew away the field in the six-year-old girls class. Jared Hildebrandt (6) finished third in boys 7 expert and Tyler Riva (8) took fifth place of eight in the nine-year-old expert class in both races, while Colin Hildebrandt qualified for the main and finished fifth and sixth in a tough field of 13-year-old experts. Cruiser racer Dean Botterill managed to pull out a fourth-place finish on Saturday, taking fifth on Sunday. In the Elite Female class Shanda Hill finished 5th on Saturday in a tough field that was won by Smantha Cools, the top Ladies BMX racer in Canada. Elite Male rider, Kevin Hill, raced in a high-powered field of world-class racers on Saturday, crashing in the semifinal but on Sunday pulled out an impressive third-place finish in the Western National #4 race, when high winds forced closure of the first half of the pro section on the new track. All of the Vernon racers found the new 390 meter track quite difficult, with a nasty double right at the bottom of the starting hill and tough technical sections in the second and final straights. It will give the dozen or so racers Vernon will send to the Worlds in July something to work on for the next couple of months. CC - Vernon Morning Star _______________________________________________________________ *** GT Bicycles Joey Bradford At The UCI BMX Qualifier *** Victoria BC Canada -- 05/29/2007 Joey Bradford was in Victoria B.C. this weekend to race on the worlds track and to put the North American Junior Elite Men's title into reach. He added another win to make it his 10th straight win and finished with an undefeated UCI Qualifier season! With a perfect season so far Joey is now ranked World #1 in Junior Elite men by a huge margin and looks to cap off the season with a World Title in July. Congratulations Joey! A big thanks to all of the GT Team Sponsors: Kenda Tires, SRAM, SDG, Sun Ringle, e.thirteen, KORE, Pearl Izumi, Fly Racing and Ogio. CC - http://www.gtbicycles.com Also See News: 005 - Photos/Videos Of UCI Continental Cup Victoria BC Event For some cool Videos, Photos and Reports by Joey Bradford. _______________________________________________________________ *** Cools Sizzles At BMX Victoria International – Full Results *** Photo - Samantha Cools (Can) Supercross. Samantha Cools of Calgary won the silver medal on Sunday at the Victoria International BMX cycling competition in Victoria, B.C. With the performance, Cools gained more valuable International Cycling Union ranking points. Just last week, she won an international event in Prunedale, California. Christine Miller of Airdrie, Alta., was fifth in the same women’s elite race. On the men’s side, Patrick Lebel was fifth while Nick Goertzen of Alberta and Scott Erwood of B.C., were seventh and eighth respectively. In junior competition, Jimmy Brown won the silver medal. ‘’This competition was a good test for our national program,’’ said Canadian national BMX team head coach Tanya Dubnicoff. ‘’We’re on track to have our best world championships ever.’’ The worlds are scheduled for Victoria at the end of July. BMX racing makes its official debut on the Olympic program at the 2008 Games in Beijing. Results Elite Female 1. Kimberly Hayashi (Usa) Redline / Nike 2. Samantha Cools (Can) Supercross 3. Rachel Smith (Usa) Kenda/Bawls 4. Cassie Bushnell (Usa) FMF BMX 5. Christine Miller (Can) Crupi 6. Rosemary Adams (Can) Staats Canada 7. Danielle Brisson (Can) Stats Canada Chelsea Trites (Can) Shanda Hill (Can) Elite Male 1. Khalen Young (Aus) 2. Robert De Wilde (Ned) Redline / Maxxis / TLD 3. Steven Cisar (Usa) 4. Jarrett Kolich (Usa) Avent-Bombshell-Maxxis 5. Patrick Lebel (Can) Fly Racing 6. Vance Wiesendanger (Usa) 7. Nick Goertzen (Can) Fly / 661 / Nitrolube / no hype 8. Scott Erwood (Can) Stardard Bykes, Fly Racing, Proworks 9. Aaron Lepp (Can) Camp cools / Redline 10. Kyle Michell (Can) 11. Donny Robinson (Usa) Formula/HP 12. Kevin Hill (Can) ONE Bicycles Karl Clark (Usa) Super Derek Sipkoi (Usa) Ward Pateman (Can) BMXHEX-STAATS-FLY Mischa Partridge (Can) Adam Muys (Can) Standard /Fox racing Damian Lachance (Can) Joemamma.ca Junior Female 1. Amanda Geving (Usa) Troy Lee Designs 2. Kaila Sweeney (Can) Supercross BMX 3. Layne Nyhaug (Can) Proworks/FLY 4. Michilla Negenman (Can) B & P Cycle / Red Line/ Pretty Tough 5. Lindsay Harrington (Can) Bert & Mac's 6. Stephanie Katelnikoff (Can) Shooting Edge Junior Male 1. Joey Bradford (Usa) GT 2. Jim Brown (Can) Supercross Factory 3. Michael Irwin (Can) No Hype 4. Scott Bernacki (Can) 5. Karsten Millman (Can) WREX 6. Jean-Sebastien Dufesne (Can) Redline 7. Brian Martel (Can) 8. Maurice Horton (Usa) Avery / Bombshell / Maxxis Shane Clark (Can) SHAD Inc. Jordan Hulme (Can) Joey Trudeau (Can) Haro / Answer Tyler Simpson (Can) Team Ontario/Supercross/Answer 10 Expert Male 1. Leonard De Patie (Can) Proworks 2. Christopher White (Can) Staats 3. Brett Sieders (Can) 4. Pol-Emil Doucet (Can) Group MADEXCO inc. 5. Kurt Mortensen (Can) Staats 10 Intermediate Male 1. Chase Harrison (Can) Crupi 2. Kiran Kawa (Can) Alberta Transmission Service 3. Evan Mottershead (Can) Calgary BMX 4. Chris De Koning (Can) Team Devo 11 Expert Male 1. Anthony Messere (Can) Proworks 2. Jared Ennis (Can) 3. Alex Milnes (Can) Cyclepath 4. Darren Landers (Can) Orange Powersports 5. Tanner Vandenhoven (Can) Dynastar 6. Kyle Murphy (Can) Staats 7. Kevin Weed (Can) 8. Colby Baxter (Can) 11 Female 1. Ilana Just (Can) Staats Factory Canada 2. Rachelle Nielsen (Can) 3. Taylor Welykholowa (Can) Staats 12 Expert Male 1. Austin Vandenhoven (Can) Dynastar 2. Tanor Milligan (Can) ABC Crupi/Maaco 3. Derrick Pierce (Can) BMX Hex 12 Intermediate Male 1. Grayson Sharpe (Can) 2. Kurtis Zacharias (Can) Bow Cycle / Miller Woodworks 3. Kaden Hyndman (Can) 4. Daniel Coleman (Can) 5. Jared Sproxton (Can) 13 Expert Male 1. Lain Van Ogle (Usa) 2. Cody Kelley (Usa) Fly 3. Brandon Reid (Can) Redman 4. Zachary Burke (Can) 5. Graham Cronk (Can) Market on Yates 6. Colin Hildebrandt (Can) Olympia Bike 7. Ryan Murphy (Can) Staats 8. James Palmer (Can) Factor Staats Canada Trevor Geib (Can) Pro Works Hunter Welykholowa (Can) Staats Cam Lavorato (Can) Bert & Mac's Dayton Peterson (Can) Mitchell Vipond (Can) 13 Female 1. Paige Zarazun (Can) Proworks 2. Erin Sawatzki (Can) BMXeh / SUP 3. Amanda Landers (Can) 13 Intermediate Male 1. Louis Chartrain (Can) 2. David Hill (Can) TCB Inc. 3. Ross Eaton (Can) Eurotech Cycle 14 Expert Male 1. Simon Meili (Can) Supercross Factory 2. Brandon Macleod (Can) Supercamp 3. Tyler Martel (Can) 4. Adam Bourns (Can) 5. Dorey Martin (Can) Staats factory Canada 6. Alex Hagel (Can) 7. Thomas Donnelly (Can) Wenting Cycles 8. Connor Mccormack (Can) Ozone Racing / Fly / Outbound Cycle Kyle Gallant (Can) Brandon Kerik (Can) Alter-Air &Grandparents Cody Negenman (Can) B & P Cycle/ Red Line 14 Female 1. Amanda Little (Can) FACTORY SUPERCROSS 2. Sabrina Millman (Can) WREX 3. Charne Goosen (Can) 4. Jennifer Harrington (Can) 15 Expert Male 1. Tory Nyhaug (Can) STAATS/TLD 2. Steven Creighton (Can) Factory UFO Bikes 3. Erick Nicol (Can) B&P Cycle / Redline 4. Cameron Quennell (Can) 5. Todd Castonguay (Can) Staats Factory Canada 6. John Kreuzkamp (Can) Berts Automotive, Yess 7. Dillon Sweeney (Can) Redline / B&P 8. Nicholas Benetti (Can) Proworks / Fly Cameron Helm (Can) Kyle Lourenssen (Can) Team Ontario/Supercross/Answer Shelson Trees (Can) BMX EH! Supercross Max Barron (Can) BMX EH 15 Female 1. Abby Graalman (Can) Staats Factory 2. Kyra Mcleod (Can) Redline B&P Cycle 3. Jessica Weed (Can) 16 Expert Male 1. Cameron Murphy (Can) Staats 2. Kyle Pearson (Can) Team Ontario/Supercross/Answer 3. Sam Leuck (Can) Gravity Sports 4. Mitchell Thibault (Can) Tabor Mountain Bike Park 5. David Hounsome (Can) Team Ontario/Supercross/Answer 6. Tyler Pierce (Can) BMX Hex 7. Alex Vandenhoven (Can) Dynastar Drilling 16 Intermediate Male 1. David Stewart (Can) 2. Brookelyn Wilkinson (Can) Factory Staats Canada 3. Ryan Kelly (Can) 4. Megan Frew (Can) Bowcycle 5. Louis Goosen (Can) 17 - 24 Male 1. Leonard Kilgour (Can) Proworks / Fly 2. Jesse Horompoly (Can) No Hype 3. Brandon Little (Can) BMX EH CANADA 4. Matt Mccormack (Can) O-Zone Racing, Fly, Outbound Cycle 5. Jeffrey Jacobsen (Can) Redline / B&P 6. Justin Doehring (Can) Gravity Sports 7. Andrew Harper (Can) Team Ontario/Supercross/Answer 8. Rory Ennis (Can) Christopher Clevenland (Can) Wenting Cycles 30 and Over Male 1. Mike Mercer (Can) 2. Darren Williams (Can) Bert & Macs, FMF 3. James Williams (Can) 4. Mike Murphy (Can) No Hype Bikes 5. Chris Sasso (Can) No Hype Bikes 6. Gerald Trees (Can) BMX EH! Supercross 5 and Under Intermediate Male 1. Ryan Tougas (Can) 2. Ronin Pusch (Can) 3. Jackson Juriga (Can) Artrageous BMX 4. Jacob Hanna (Can) Artrageous Screen Printing 7 Expert Male 1. Patrick Juriga (Can) Artrageous BMX 2. Joshua Aiello (Can) No Hype Bikes 3. Jared Hildebrandt (Can) Olympia Bike 7 Intermediate Male 1. Jesse Howden (Can) Artrageous 2. Lucas Pelletier (Can) 3. Terrel Doi (Can) 4. Aiden Kohut (Can) UFO Farm Team 5. Nicolas De Koning (Can) Team Devo 6. Nicolas Wondratschek (Can) 8 Female 1. Kasey Knowles (Can) STAATS 2. Cayleigh Van Staalduinen (Can) 3. Zoe Nygaard (Can) BMXeh 4. Cleome Hope (Can) 5. Jensen Sproxton (Can) 6. Jaya Kawa (Can) Alberta Transmission Service 8 Intermediate Male 1. Kyle Mortensen (Can) Staats 2. Aiden Macdonald (Can) 3. Kent Isaac (Can) 4. Trevor Hanna (Can) Artrageous Screen Printing 9 Expert Male 1. Parker Simson (Can) B-Zone Racing, Fly Outbound Cycle 2. Alex Tougas (Can) 3. Anthony White (Can) Staats 4. Joel Quennell (Can) 5. Reece Howden (Can) Artrageous 6. Tyler Riva (Can) 7. Alex Wondratschek (Can) 8. Cj Martin (Can) Staats Development Canada 9 Female 1. Kelsey Van Ogle (Usa) 2. Taylor Wylie (Can) Factory Staats Canada 3. Amber Hanna (Can) Artrageous Screen Printing 9 Intermediate Male 1. Kobe Doi (Can) 2. Bailey Sproxton (Can) 3. Cole Wilson (Can) Wilson Energy Services 4. Deven Kawa (Can) Alberta Transmission Service 5. Carter Pastuszko (Can) 6. Taylor Brown (Can) Cruiser 12 and Under Male 1. Anthony Messere (Can) Proworks 2. Leonard De Patie (Can) Proworks 3. Tanor Milligan (Can) ABC Crupi 4. Darren Landers (Can) Orange Powersports 5. Alex Milnes (Can) Cyclepath 6. Chase Harrison (Can) Crupi 7. Pol-Emil Doucet (Can) Goup MADEXCO inc. Cruiser 13 and 14 Male 1. James Palmer (Can) Factor Staats Canada 2. Cam Lavorato (Can) Bert & Mac's 3. Jake Adams (Can) Cruiser 13 and Under Female 1. Paige Zarazun (Can) Proworks 2. Ilana Just (Can) Staats Factory Canada 3. Amanda Landers (Can) Cruiser 14 to 18 Female 1. Amanda Little (Can) FACTORY SUPERCROSS 2. Abby Graalman (Can) Staats Factory Cruiser 15 and 16 Male 1. Tory Nyhaug (Can) STAATS/TLD 2. Kyle Pearson (Can) Team Ontario/Supercross/Answer 3. Todd Castonguay (Can) Staats Factory Canada 4. Tyler Pierce (Can) BMX Hex 5. Dillon Sweeney (Can) Redline / B&P 6. Kyle Lourenssen (Can) Team Ontario/Supercross/Answer Cruiser 30 and Over Female 1. Wendy Vandenhoven (Can) Dynastar 2. Laura Knowles (Can) STAATS 3. Tammy Lambert (Can) No Hype Bikes 4. Kathy Vandenhoven (Can) Dynastar Drilling 5. Tricia Hanna (Can) Artrageous Screen Printing 6. Lori Mccormack (Can) B-Zone Racing, Fly Outbound Cycle Cruiser 30 to 34 Male 1. John Starcevic (Can) 2. Justin Doehring (Can) Gravity Sports 3. Matt Stevens (Can) Pipeline Bike Park, Shimano, Kona, Fox Racing Inc 4. Darcy Fauteux (Can) 5. Kevin De Visser (Can) 6. Ryan Negenman (Can) B&P Cycle / Redline 7. Jason Donahue (Can) B&P Cycle / Redline Cruiser 35 to 39 Male 1. Chris Macrae (Can) 2. Brian Onofrichuk (Can) 3. Cam Smith (Can) 4. Dave Haldin (Can) Artrageous Screen Printing 5. Mark Nielsen (Can) Cruiser 40 to 44 Male 1. Trevor Brown (Can) 2. Craig Zarazun (Can) Proworks 3. Dean Botterill (Can) 4. Richard Humphries (Can) Maple Ridge Cycle 5. Darren Williams (Can) Bert & Macs, FMF 6. Alex Howden (Can) Artrageous 7. Mark Palmer (Can) Factory Staats Canada 8. Darcy Just (Can) Cruiser 45 and Over Male 1. Georges Kreuzkamp (Can) Berts Automotive, Yess 2. Mike L. Kelley (Usa) Fly 3. Peter Jensen (Can) Standard / Fox 4. Steven Edgar (Can) Cove Bikes 5. Steve Halliday (Can) Market on Yates 6. Dale Murphy (Can) 7. Chris August (Can) 8. Steve Baxter (Can) Victor Doehring (Can) Gravity Sports Ken Williams (Can) CC - Pedal Magazine ALSO SEE RESULTS POSTED VIA CYCLING BC: Day 01 - Cycling BC #3(UCI) May 26th 2007 - Results.pdf Day 02 - Cycling BC #4 May 27th 2007 - Results.pdf _______________________________________________________________ *** Cools Turns Up The Heat At New Track *** Photo - Steven Creighton, N1, and Tory Nyhaug, 20, lead a group of riders over a jump in the 15 Expert race during the Continental Cup at the new BMX track at Juan de Fuca Rec. Centre. The star rider from Airdrie, Alta., with her gravity-defying bicycle jumps, could turn the CBC acronym into the Cools Broadcasting Corporation this summer at Juan de Fuca and next year at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Samantha Cools might make it to become a Canadian TV sports star if she lands on the podium at the 2007 world BMX championships this summer at the new Worlds Legacy Track at Juan de Fuca and again next year at Beijing, where the sport makes its Olympic debut. Both the Victoria worlds and Beijing Olympics BMX races will be broadcast on CBC, with the Mother Corporation showing portions of live world championships coverage from Juan de Fuca July 26-29 on Country Canada with a tape-delay show from the worlds to follow after the event on Sports Weekend. Cools, the six-time Canadian champion and ranked No. 6 in the world, capped off her weekend rides at the UCI Continental Cup with a silver-medal placing yesterday in the women's elite race. Cools won gold at a major UCI (International Cycling Union) event last weekend in Prunedale, Calif. The UCI Continental Cup, featuring some of the best BMX riders in North America, opened the new track at Juan de Fuca and served as the test event for the upcoming 2007 world championships and Olympic trials. "This is just one more step to the worlds and Olympics," said Cools, of the Continental Cup. "It's an amazing facility here [at Juan de Fuca] and it's incredible to have this track in our own country." Christine Miller and Patrick Lebel, both of Alberta, were fifth in their respective elite women's and men's finals yesterday. Top elite British Columbians were Nick Goertzen of Langley and Scott Erwood of Surrey, who were seventh and eighth in men's. The only Canadian medal other than Cools' came through 18-year-old Albertan Jimmy Brown's bronze medal in the junior men's competition. Cools gives Canada a legitimate women's medal threat and Miller an outside chance for Victoria 2007 and Beijing 2008 while Brown, Lebel, Goertzen and Erwood gave national team head coach Tanya Dubnicoff some encouragement on the men's side. "Our elite men have been struggling," noted Dubnicoff. "But it's always a good boost to have the world championships at home and we're really looking forward to that this summer." CC - Victoria Times Colonist _______________________________________________________________ *** Photos/Videos Of UCI Continental Cup Victoria BC Event *** Photos - Victoria (Saturday) http://www.airdriebmx.com/images/VIC%20Gallery/index.html  Also a few UCI Worlds Track Videos via www.joeybradford.com Vid - Junior Men http://www.joeybradford.com/images/videos/UCIVictoria.wmv Vid - Elite Men http://www.joeybradford.com/images/videos/UCIVictoriaElite.wmv Vid - Tory Nyhaug 3 Straight AM Section Practice http://www.joeybradford.com/images/videos/ToryNyhaug3sa.wmv Vid - Tory Nyhaug Full Lap http://www.joeybradford.com/images/videos/ToryNyhaugfulllap.wmv Vid - JB 3 straight Pro Section Practice http://www.joeybradford.com/images/videos/Victoria3sp.wmv Check out Joey Bradford`s web site JOURNAL page for some photos and reports from Victoria Canada http://www.joeybradford.com/journal.html _______________________________________________________________ *** Continent's Best Break In New BMX Track *** Photo - Steven Cisar, W6, leads Donny Robinson, 10, Scott Erwood, N6, and Jarrett Kolich over a jump in an Elite Male Qualifier at the BMX Worlds Legacy track at Juan de Fuca on May 26th. Region gears up for BMX worlds, Olympic trials and U-20 World Cup. Volunteer Don Brown, the legendary former CBC sports producer, stood trackside at the BMX Worlds Legacy track at Juan de Fuca and framed a make-believe TV box with his fingers and said: "The backdrop is going to be sensational with all those trees." That's exactly the kind of visual impact organizers are hoping for as Victoria's big sports summer creeps ever closer. The 2007 FIFA Under-20 soccer World Cup at a temporarily revamped 12,000-seat Royal Athletic Park from July 1-11 will be followed by the 2007 world BMX championships and Beijing Olympic trials July 26-29 at Juan de Fuca. If you thought last year was good, with American swimming superstar Michael Phelps and the 2006 Pan Pacific championships, followed in the fall by the 2006 Skate Canada International, wait until this July. BMX has been front and centre this weekend at the UCI Continental Cup, which began yesterday at Juan de Fuca and concludes today. Some of the best BMX riders in North America are here breaking in the new track before the Worlds and Olympic trials in July, which will have a far different look with bleacher seating for up to 7,000 fans added to the north side. And camera locations for host broadcaster CBC - which will also televise the FIFA Under-20 World Cup soccer games from RAP - will be conspicuous as the BMX riders state their case for Beijing, where the sport makes its Olympic debut next year. "There will be many family members and friends of the BMX riders, and fans of the sport from all over the world, coming into town to watch the world championships," said Hugh MacDonald, executive director of SportHost Victoria. "This sport is kind of unique in that the world championships [2,500 competitors from more than 40 nations are expected] feature age-group world finals as well as for those elite riders looking to get to the Beijing Summer Olympics. The economic impact this will have on the city will be considerable." Beijing hopeful Rachel Smith of Columbus, Ohio, the third -ranked female American rider in BMX, is racing at the Continental Cup this weekend to get a preview of the track. "It's a beautiful setting in here and the layout of the track is great," said the versatile Smith, who also played NCAA softball for the University of Toledo. That's the kind of endorsement local organizers love to hear. "We want to stage a world championships that this community can be proud of having hosted and which will act as the qualifying springboard to BMX's Olympic debut," said David Richardson, president of the organizing committee. "We hope to grow BMX and sports tourism in Victoria and promote active living." Colwood mayor Jody Twa is pleased to have such an asset in his town. Two-thirds of the track construction cost of $225,000 was donated by local contractors. "Once young people get exposed to this sport, especially after watching the kinds of jumps and excitement they will witness this summer in the world championships, I think a lot of local people will sign up for this sport and will want to ride on this Juan de Fuca track," said Twa. There is an almost swashbuckling-type of go-for-it ethic among BMX riders. "That culture is them to the bone," said Team Canada head coach and former Olympian Tanya Dubnicoff, who came to BMX from the more traditional cycling disciplines of velodrome and road. "Now we have to streamline that a bit into the Olympic culture. But that Olympic culture is changing. You only have to look at all the extreme ski and boarding events they've added to the Winter Olympics. "And those are the events grabbing a lot of the attention now at Games because people think they are more exciting than the traditional sports." CC - Victoria Times Colonist _______________________________________________________________ *** Born To Ride And Born To Win ***Samantha Cools has been riding since she was three years old. The six-time Canadian women's BMX championship may soon be competing for an Olympic medal.  ( `click the photo for a color photo' ) Photo - Samantha Cools and the rest of the Canadian national BMX team will get a sneak peak at the new BMX Worlds Legacy track at Juan de Fuca this weekend when they compete at the Continental Cup. The track will play host to both the BMX World Championship and Olympic qualifier this summer. Canadian BMX star Samantha Cools' world changed with a decision made far from any dirt track. When the rad/cool sport was deemed an Olympic event, Cools entered another world -- BMX makes its Summer Games debut in Beijing next year. "Everything changed and it was a shock to the system ... I was drug tested three times in 10 days ... it was like they didn't trust me anymore," chuckled Cools. The six-time Canadian women's champion from Airdrie, Alta., who is ranked No. 6 in the world, gets her first competitive ride on the new $225,000 BMX Worlds Legacy track at Juan de Fuca at the Continental Cup taking place today and tomorrow. She races at 11 a.m. both days. The track was unveiled in a ceremony yesterday and this weekend's event, featuring top riders from Canada and U.S., is a test event for the 2007 world BMX championships and Beijing Olympic trials taking place at Juan de Fuca this summer. The 391-metre Juan de Fuca track is an impressive piece of work and is designed in the classic 'W' configuration. It features high corner banks paved with asphalt to allow riders to build up speed through the turns and roar down a six-metre hill to begin the races. The 21-year-old Cools was born into this sport. Her father John Cools has been a ground-breaking coach, not to mention, Samantha's mentor, and older brothers Ken and Greg have both been involved in the sport. "They must have rubbed mom's belly when I was inside because I came out ready to ride," smiled Samantha Cools, who first started riding at age three. "I was bred in the stomach to be a BMXer." Born to ride. And born to win. "When Samantha wants to win and has her mind set on it, nothing is going to get in her way," said Team Canada head coach Tanya Dubnicoff, herself a big story at the Juan de Fuca velodrome during the 1994 Commonwealth Games. "She's been riding since almost before she could walk and has such great technical skills and so much experience." If she's been affected by the hype of being a Canadian medal hope for Beijing, Cools doesn't show it. "You take it in stride," said the diminutive Cools. "When that time comes for Beijing, I'll deal with it then. Right now, my focus is on the 2007 world championships here in Victoria, which are the first Olympic qualifier." But Cools has begun to prepare mentally and has discussed the Olympics in depth with mountain-biking Olympic-medallist Alison Sydor of Victoria, another rider who experienced becoming an Olympian in a riding discipline that went from fringe to Olympic sport. "Alison told me how much her sport changed, and the changes you go through as a rider, when your sport goes into the Olympics... she has helped me a lot," said Cools. Cools said racing this weekend on the world championships track will give the Canadian riders some advantage during the worlds in July, but not much. "Elite riders know how to dial a track [learn all about its intricacies] within a day of practice rides on it," said Cools. But having the worlds at home will be cool for the Canadian riders. "Any opportunity you have to race at home in a world championships is special and you take advantage of it," said Cools. She crashed while in second place at the 2005 worlds in Paris and crashed again at the 2006 worlds in San Paulo, Brazil. "It's incredible to have the world championships at home. This weekend is just one more step to the worlds and the Olympics. It's an amazing facility." And there's an equally amazing rider that will help break it in. CC - Victoria Times Colonist _______________________________________________________________ *** Official Unveiling Of BMX Worlds Legacy Track ***This Friday, May 25, 2007 is the official unveiling of the BMX Worlds Legacy Track at 12:45 pm at the Juan De Fuca Recreation Centre, 1767 Island Highway, Victoria, B.C. (Entrance: Lower bowl near the lacrosse box). Riders from the Canadian National BMX team will join local dignitaries, key sponsors, volunteers, track construction contractor Michell Excavating and other local construction businesses in celebrating the completion of the 391-meter track, one of the premier BMX tracks in North America. The first event on the new track is the Continental Cup, May 26 and 27, and is a “tranny” to all the excitement of the UCI BMX World Championships to be held here July 26-29, 2007. 2,500 athletes from over 40 nations will compete at the UCI BMX World Championships, a key-qualifying event for country rankings heading into the sport’s debut at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The BMX Worlds Legacy Track will serve in developing future BMX Olympians, provide Greater Victoria youth with opportunities for sport involvement and will be an integral part of the community’s sport scene for years to come. _______________________________________________________________ Information UCI BMX Continental Cup - Victoria InternationalCycling BC BMX Western Series May 26 & 27 InformationThis will be the first race on the newly build BMX World's Track, set to take place in July. Saturday will be a UCI race run by the CCA, and Sunday will be a Cycling BC event. ( Event Information.pdf ) UCI BMX 2007 World Championships Continental Cup Information The Continental Cup is significant because points earned at the races play an important role in both an individual’s overall UCI ranking and Canada’s and the United States’ ranking as a nation, which determines the number of start positions at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. ACC - July 26th - 29th 2007 UCI BMX World Championships  2007 UCI BMX World Championships ACCC - 2008 BMX Olympics Information Beijing, China |
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