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World Cup 2011

History of BMX (2011 - 2012)

YEAR 2011.


January, 25 men who pioneered European BMX during 1978 and 1983.

With this article I want to honor the people that were instrumental getting BMX off the ground in their respective countries in Europe. They all were very motivated and enthusiastic to get this new sport going in Europe. They invested a lot of time, energy and even money in promoting and marketing a knew sport, that had to coop with all the problems, such a new development meets. These men and women were charismatic, good promoters and organizers of the first hour of development. In due time I hope to be able to place pictures with the names in order to let you all see, about whom we are talking here. You might meet some day, at a bicycle or motorcycle event, one of the 25 persons who made it possible for you to enjoy this great sport or enjoy it right now.

Of all those men and women mentioned, about 55 % were motorsport orientated (mainly moto-cross), 40 % were bicycle oriented and around 5 % did have other backgrounds (organizers/promoters/PR business). I met and know all of them personally from the pioneer days of BMX and I wonder what they are doing now. From some I know, from others I hope to find out what has been going on with them and I will tell you all about it, adding the new info to this article from time to time.

Well, here are the names of the men and women who PIONEERED BMX and made it possible for you riders to race BMX bikes now a days, in the first place. More and detailed info of each of them also in the HISTORY of BMX sections.

HOLMES Dale (England)

Dale-Holmes2001 World Champion
1996 World Champion

1997 World Cup Winner

Dale Holmes on the right with Nico van DartelDale Holmes on the right with Nico van Dartel

daleholmes.com is one of Nico's favorite BMX websites

 

Dale Holmes on the right with Nico van Dartel (www.daleholmes.com is one of Nico's favorite BMX websites)

KIMMANN Niek (Holland)

2015 World Champion

2016 World Champion

2018 World Cup

2019 European Champion

2019 World Cup

2021 Olympic Champion

2021 World Champion

LEVEQUE Christophe (France)

Christophe Leveque in Luzern Swiss after the Euro Championship in 19902001 World Champion
1999 World Champion
1998 World Champion
1997 World Champion
1995 World Champion
1993 World Champion
1991 World Champion

1994 European Champion
1993 European Champion
1993 European Champion (24")
1991 European Champion

1995 World Cup Winner

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Christophe Leveque has been crowned the KING of CHAMPIONS, holding 7 World titles in the highest age/performance classes and another 2 titles in lower age classes, which makes his total: 9 world titles won, up and till this moment. Who will beat this record?

Special note:

Christophe Leveque (FR) is one of only 3 riders that succeeded in winning a 20 and 24 inch European Championship title in one year during the 19 years of European BMX Championships. The orther 2 are Pierre van Zuijlen (NL) and Eric Minozzi (FR).

PAJÓN Mariana (Colombia)

2016 Olympic Champion
2016 World Champion
2014 World Champion
2012 Olympic Champion
2011 World Champion
2010 World Champion

STAFF Jamie (England)

Jamie-Staff- EC2003-Cheddar1996 World Champion

1995 European Champion

1996 World Cup Winner
1995 World Cup Winner

Jamie Staff came to check out the races and hand out the trophies in Cheddar.

WILDE de Robert (Holland)

Robert-de-Wilde1999 World Champion

2000 European Champion
1999 European Champion

2007 Supercross World Cup
2005 Supercross World Cup

2003 World Cup Winner
1999 World Cup Winner

wc perth2003 robert dewildeRobert de Wilde (GT) posing with  UnivofBMX Staff Member Nico van Dartel