History of BMX (1999 - 2000)
Year 1999.
Me telling you all about the History of BMX as I know it, ends about here. Since one year I did withdraw from BMX being active as organiser, promotor, team-manager and so on. Want to take it easy a bit, after being involved in BMX since around 1974, its time to take a rest. From the year 2000 I will update my site from time to time, with stories and additional information, my opinion on developments, but mostly I will add pictures to the stories, hundreds of them in due time. I hope that all written down up till now, will give you a personal view of what was, were we all came from. From here on, I will write about events that I did go to or received reports from. I will also give my personal opinion on developments and such, as they occur.
January 29th - 31st., The NBL - USA clebrates its 25th. anniversary: 1974 - 1999.
During the Annual Competition Congress, held January 29th. through 31st. 1999, the NBL - USA celebrated its 25th. anniversary: 1974 - 1999. Original founder of the NBL, my dear friend George E. Esser (R.I.P.), was inducted into the newly formed “NBL Hall of Fame”. The Congress took place at the Trump World's Fair Casino at Trump Plaza, Mississippi and the Boardwalk Atlantic City, New Jersey. Some years later his son Greg Esser was inducted as well.
March 5 - 7th. BMX Indoor de Tours - France, 15th. edition with 1241 entries.
Largest contingency from abroad came from Holland: 32 entries. Spectacular track, fierce competition and loads of outside BMX spectators, specially on the Sunday afternoon. GD announced his retirement from BMX during an interview with him at te track.
March 19th. I (Gerrit Does) did sent a letter all over the world to my BMX friends and other contacts,
to inform them about the fact I had decided to step back from the BMX podium in general. This is what I said back then:
“ Dear friends and relations. With this letter I want to inform you all personally about the following. My “communication manager” has advised me to take several steps back from the active BMX scene in Europe.
It has been 25 years now (1974-1999), that I have been involved in BMX. It all started in the USA and later on I started the Dutch organization called S.F.N. and together with others, the international bmx organization called I.BMX.F. (now integrated into the UCI).
Recently (November 1998) I did spent some time in Tulsa - Oklahoma, USA among other things to be present during the ABA Grands, to meet with my youngest son Pieter Does, who was living in the USA for several months at that time and also to see him race in A-Pro class at the Grands. Surprisingly I was invited to an ABA banquet and during diner I was inducted into the ABA BMX Hall of Fame, together with Gary Ellis, Anthony Sewell and Gary Littlejohn.
Being elected by the representatives of the American BMX industry and ABA HoF members, was an absolute hype for me. To me this seems to be the right moment to follow the advice of my communication manager mentioned earlier: Step back from the BMX podium.
One of the most important motivations for me to go through with this, also was the fact that going through all kind of old stuff like minutes from I.BMX.F./ UCI meetings and so on, I realized that with all the work I had done, too less things have changed for the better. All the new ideas, suggestion and the work I did to get the World Cup Series going, seemed almost to be a waist of time. Probably I wanted things to happen for which people, and our sport, weren’t ready yet at the time. Too progressive!?
The organizing aspects of running races improved, however there was no guarantee for quality, looking at past European and/or World Championship organizations. The riders and their equipment improved the most. Riding techniques and skills are very well developed and of a high level. For the rest, when I think back of the early ’80 and look what is happening now, in principal it all looks the same as back then. There are so many technical aspects to make this sport more interesting for among others TV and outside BMX people, like rider registration and timing systems, lap-time exposure etc. Again, probably BMX isn’t ready for all of that yet. Many, many hours have been put in the sport by me. Finally I realized that there isn’t much new happening or it happens too slow, so better spent my time on other things that will progress.
After 25 years in BMX, its time the younger and new generation take over. I hope more former / Old Skool BMX’ers will come into the sport as organizers/promoters/ coaches/ trainers, anyway people that understand the sport and the competitors. Hopefully they are capable of getting BMX at a higher level, which it deserves.
I wish you all the best of luck, good health and success in developing our sport of BMX in the future. Hopefully we will meet once a year at the European Championship or Worlds when in Europe. Let’s then have a drink together, and toast on our friendship. God bless!
Kind regards,
GERRIT DOES
April 9th. The Swatch-UCI BMX World Cup in Orlando, Florida, USA.
On April 9th. the UCI BMX World Cup had its 1999 season start with a race in sunny Orlando, Florida (USA). The event was the first out of three qualification races on three different continents. Orlando, being the American World Cup Qualifier, will be followed by the European Qualifier in Doetinchem (NED) and the Pacific Qualifier in Penrrith-Sydney (AUS) on respectively May 9th. and 30th..The BMX World Cup season will be concluded with the Final in La Petit-Couronne (FRA) on July 18th. The title sponsor of this year’s BMX World Cup is Swatch, the famous Swiss manufacturer of fashionable time pieces.
The Elite men’s main final was ruled by riders from the host country. USA’s Robert MacPherson took the win, finishing just before his compatriots, Randy Stumpfhauser and Robbie Miranda. Fourth place went to USA resident, Wade Boots, originally born in Australia, but racing for the USA since 1997. Australia’s highly talented first year Elite rider, Warwick Stevenson, finished fifth. The remaining places were claimed by respectively Jamie Staff (GBR), Kevin Tomko (USA) and Robert de Wilde (NED).
Victory in the combined Elite/Junior Women’s class went to former Elite Women’s World Champion, Michelle Cairns (USA). Her compatriot and silver medallist at the World Championship last year, Marie McGilvary, finished right behind Cairns. Third place went to the best Junior Woman in Orlando, USA’s Jill Kintner.
First place in the Junior men’s class was claimed by 1998 World Championship finalist, Stephen Larralde (USA), whilst his compatriot, Dusty Means, finished in second spot. Third place went to France’s Xavier Aumaitre.
Remarks GD: Pity to say, that as in previous years, this World Cup was a “side event” of a big NBL National. The World Cup was run before that National and had very little entries as well as spectators. In the women section Elite and Junior had to be combined in order to have a race! For some reason, riders don’t believe in World Cup events and they don’t understand what it could mean for the image of BMX if it all was done the right way (organized according the UCI criteria to run a race like this).
Results:
Junior/Elite Women
- Michelle Cairns (USA)
- Marie McGilvary (USA)
- Jill Kintner (USA)
- Marla Brady (USA)
- Shawnda Shaughnessy (USA)
- Melanie Desrichers (CAN)
- Dayana Machado (VEN)
Junior Men
- Stephen Larrade (USA)
- Dusty Means (USA)
- Xavier Aumaitre (FRA)
- Spencer Adams (USA)
- Thomas Blackwood (USA)
- Andrew Presland (USA)
- Santiago Silva (COL)
- Jonathan Suarez (VEN)
Elite Men
- Robert MacPherson (USA)
- Randy Stumpfhauser (USA)
- Robbie Miranda (USA)
- Wade Bootes (USA)
- Warwick Stevenson (AUS)
- Jamie Staff (GBR)
- Kevin Tomko (USA)
- Robert de Wilde (NED)
May 8/9th. The Swatch-UCI BMX World Cup qualifier Doetinchem, Holland European round.
On May 9th., the European Qualifier of the Swatch/UCI BMX World Cup was held in the town of Doetinchem in the east of The Netherlands. Having built up an image of a solid organization over the past years, the Doetichem crew did not disappoint riders nor spectators, and presented a nice ambience for a smoothly run race. The sunny weather and the exciting performances by the riders did the rest. The final result was an attractive BMX event enjoyed by all present.
The main man in Doetinchem was the Flying Dutchman, Robert de Wilde. Last month de Wilde returned form a trip to the USA, where he raced against the strongest American pros. De Wilde’s stay in the USA appeared to be another learning experience in his fast development into one of the best BMX riders in the world. At the end of April, the 22 year old Dutchman already won the first two rounds of the European Championship Elite in an impressive way. In Doetinchem, de Wilde showed again who is the best rider in Europe at the moment. Although his compatriot. Roy van Leur, took the lead in the Elite men’s final right after the start, de Wilde left van Leur and the rest of the pack no chance while accelerating on the second straight. Behind the Dutch couple, France’s Sebastien Paradis finished third.
The Elite women’s final resulted in an impressive victory of Australia’s Natarsha Williams, whilst Slovakian rider, Milan Krebs, and Argentina’s Gabriela Diaz won surprisingly respectively the Junior men’s and Junior women’s classes.
Lap-times in final race:
Junior men: Milan Krebs ................ 36.093 sec.
Elite men: Robert de Wilde............. 34.271 sec.
Junior women: Gabriela Diaz ......... 43.745 sec.
Elite women: Natarsha Williams ..... 41.322 sec.
Results:
Junior Women
- Gabriela Maria Diaz (ARG)
- Elodie Ajinca (FRA)
- Simone Dur (AUT)
- Danielle Visser (NED)
- Tamara Vakkers (NED)
- Angelique van Gemert (NED)
- Hilde van Zutven (NED)
- Sabine Berenda (AUT)
Junior Men
- Milan Krebs (SVK)
- Michal Prokop (CZE)
- Kelvin Batey (GBR)
- Sascha Vetsch (SUI)
- Rob v.d. Wildenberg (NED)
- Quentin Delescluse (FRA)
- Philipp Britschgi (SUI)
- Roger Rinderknecht (SUI)
Elite Women
- Natarsha Williams (AUS)
- Dagmar Polakova (SVK)
- Ellen Bollansee (BEL)
- Tatjana Schocher (SUI)
- Brigitte Busschers (NED)
- Malene Madsen (DEN)
- Melanie Boudoux (FRA)
- Rianne Busschers (NED)
Elite Men
- Robert de Wilde (NED)
- Roy van Leur (NED)
- Sebastien Paradis (FRA)
- Dennis Wissink (NED)
- Dylan Clayton (GBR)
- Florent Bout (FRA)
- Mark van Leur (NED)
- Pieter Does (NED)
May 30th. The Swatch-UCI BMX World Cup qualifier Penrith, NSW, Sydney-Australia.
On May 30th., the Pacific Qualifier of the 1999 Swatch/UCI BMX World Cup took place in Penrith. The event was the third qualification race of the World Cup Series, preceded by an American Qualifier in the USA and a European Qualifier in The Netherlands, and to be followed by the Final in France on July 18th.
Racing in Elite men’s main final was hard and furious. Australian’s Darren Hawkins, also present at the European Qualifier last month, got out of the starting gate very quickly, closely followed by his compatriots, Grand White and Luke Madill. Half way through the race, Madill had worked his way into second place. On the final straight Hawkins and Madill rode shoulder to shoulder, and in the last 5 meters Madill powered his way to overtake Hawkins and win the event. The crowd was on their feet cheering this unbelievable race and the atmosphere was electric. Luke Madill, can be considered as one of Australia’s biggest BMX talents. Bronze medallist in the Junior men’s class at the World BMX Championships in Melbourne last year, Madill continues to show strong performances in his first year as an Elite rider.
Racing in the combined Elite/Junior women’s main final was very close. After Australia’s Rachael Marshall, the current Elite women’s World Champion, having retired from the sport, other Australian female riders come into the picture. It was young Tanya Bailey who took the win, before her compatriots, Heidi Kempshall and Kylie Patroni. The Junior men’s race was won by Australia’s Michael Robinson.
Results:
Elite/Junior Women
- Tanya Bailey (AUS)
- Heidi Kempshall (AUS)
- Kylie Patroni (AUS)
- Samone Crossland (AUS)
- Julie-Ann Codega (AUS)
- Kerrue-Lee Lucas (AUS)
- Tanya Williams (AUS)
Junior Men
- Michael Robinson (AUS)
- Jamie Gray (AUS)
- Stuart Curr (AUS)
- David Rauchenberger (AUS)
- Stephen Tully (AUS)
- Robert Davies (AUS)
- Todd Foley (AUS)
- Terry Ewen (AUS)
Elite Men
- Luke Madill (AUS)
- Darren Hawkins (AUS)
- Sean Dwight (AUS)
- Jason Cousins (AUS)
- Daniel Sprague (AUS)
- Grant White (AUS)
- John Johnson (AUS)
- Brett Scruse (AUS)
June 5/6th. The 5th. and 6th. round of the European Championship Junior and Elite in Geneva - Switzerland.
July 3/4th. European Club Championship in Habay-la-Neuve, Belgium.
It seems that the interest for this European Club Championship isn’t expanding. Only around 200 entries and about 23 teams participated.
The results of this team competition:
- Praha Repy A (Czech Republic) - 127 points
- UWRC Schijf BV 1 Uithoorn (Holland) - 125 points
- Oraha Repy B (Czech Republic) - 125 points
- FCV D’n Urste 1 (Holland) - 121 points
- FCV D.V.O. Haaksbergen (Holland) - 118 points
- FCC The Wheely’s Baarn (Holland) - 117 points
- BMX Team Back Off (Belgium) - 114 points
- Molensprinters (Belgium) - 113 points
- FCC De IJsselcrossers Doetinchem (Holland) - 110 points
July 9-11th. The Swatch-UCI BMX European Championship and Challenge at Valkenswaard - Holland.
This event was organized by the “Stichting (Foundation) Grand Prix Valkenswaard”. The track looked very good and was well dressed. The campingsite was situated next to the BMX track and had all the necessary equipment, like among others electricity and toilets. As the criteria demand, grandstands surrounded the track including a VIP unit, First Aid etc. TV was present and the facilities for the media and TV were good. Very important, the weather was great (30 degrees C.) and was a very important fact to make the whole weekend a success. This was the 4th European Championship allocated to Holland since the start of international BMX racing in 1982.
1982 EC in Beek en Donk
1988 EC in Slagharen
1997 EC in Doetinchem and now
1999 EC in Valkenswaard.
In 1982 the entry fee for that European Championship was about fl. 25,=. Now the entry fee was fl. 102,50 per class per day, just to give you some figures to compare. In total 150 volunteers did run this event. Among the volunteers the UCI - KNWU officials:
- Chief Referee Eddy Posthuma
- Assistant Chief Referee Bram Jager
- Protest Official Henk Sloesen
- Chief Administration Jan Gysberts
- Chief Scorer Anneke Smit
- NOT - KNWU Anneke Kuiper
In total around 1550 entries from 21 countries. Countries present:
Argentina - Australia - Belgium - Canada - Columbia - Denmark - Germany - England - France - Hungary - Latvia - Lithuania - Holland - Norway - Austria - Portugal - Russia - Slovakia - Spain - Czech Republic - Sweden - Switzerland.
Results Saturday July 10th:
Junior Women
- Elodie Ajinca (FRA)
- Garbiela M. Diaz (ARG)
- Rachel Galindo (FRA)
Junior Men
- Michal Prokop (CZE)
- Milan Krebs (SVK)
- Rob v.d. Wildenberg (NED)
Elite Women:
- Natarsha Williams (AUS)
- Ellen Bollansee (BEL)
- Tatjana Schocher (SUI)
Elite Men
- Robert de Wilde (NED)
- Roy van Leur (NED)
- Dorus Brink (NED)
Results Sunday July 11th:
Junior Women
- Gabriela M. Diaz (ARG)
- Elodie Ajinca (FRA)
- Simone Dur (AUT)
Junior Men
- Michal Prokop (CZE)
- Roger Rinderknecht (SUI)
- Medhi Remili (FRA)
Elite Women
- Natarsha Williams (AUS)
- Ellen Bollansee (BEL)
- Rianne Busschers (NED)
Elite Men
- Robert de Wilde (NED)
- Pieter Does (NED)
- Carmine Falco (FRA)
Final team results European Championship Factory Teams:
- Webco-Mentos European BMX team “Champion” - 331 pts
- GT/Panasonic Shock Wave Team - 309 pts
- Giant Team - 246 pts
Final teamresults European Championship National Teams:
- National Team Holland “Champion” - 357 pts
- National Team England - 301 pts
- National Team Latvia - 224 pts
Final results European Championship serie 1999 in:
Elite Women
- Natarsha Williams, Champion (AUS)
- Ellen Bollansee (BEL)
- Dagmar Polakova (SVK)
- Tatjana Schocher (SUI)
- Rianne Busschers (NED)
- Karine Chambonneau (FRA)
- Brigitte Busschers (NED)
- Karien Gubbels (NED)
- Rebecca Wichman (NED)
Elite Men
- Robert de Wilde, Champion (NED)
- Roy van Leur (NED)
- Florent Bout (FRA)
- Dylan Clayton (GBR)
- Sebastien Paradis (FRA)
- Leiv Ove Nordmark (NOR)
- Ivo Lakucs (LAT)
- Mark van Leur (NED)
- Dennis Wissink (NED)
- Dorus Brink (NED)
*** foto's Press Conference, Sven Nijs (l) and Nico Does (r)
Team WEBCO Mentos
European Champion factory teams
*** foto's Australian Natarsha Williams flying in Valkenswaard
First corner action
Cruiser action, Pieter Does
*** foto's A battle between Thomas Allier - F and Mark van Leur - NED
Elite Men Main on Sunday, De Wilde 1st, Does 2nd
Finish line area
*** foto's National TV present
VIP accomodatio
First Aid unit
July 18th. The Swatch/UCI BMX World Cup Final in La Petit Couronne - France. Report by Richard Moore.
Top quality racing on a superb track in the new-format. Swatch-UCI BMX World Cup finals set up Robert de Wilde (Holland) and Natarsha Williams (Australia) as favorites for the World Championships titles next weekend. The atmosphere at Petit-Couronne for the final was tenser than at any World Cup final before, and with good reason. In a departure from established practice, following qualifying rounds in America, Europe and the Pacific, the Swatch-UCI BMX World Cup was decided this year by a single final round. The new format means that the Swatch-UCI World Cup hinges on one race. While this new format was implemented in response to travelling difficulties experienced by many riders in this global sport, regrettably many US competitors chose to stay away from the race in favor of competing only in the World Championships just 7 days later, at Vallet, France.
Remark GD: this is nothing knew. For years riders didn’t race Pre-world events. They only want to concentrate on the World Championships. Nobody wants to get hurt in a Pre-worlds event (that’s the general idea) even when it concerns a World Cup final. A habit hart to change. After-worlds event might be a much better idea? Yet the quality of racing remained superb on a fast, well-prepared track and the competition was redolent with for great passing moves and thrilling finishes.
Elite Men.
The selection for the Elite Men’s final was, predictably, tough and eventful. Early upsets include the World No.1 - UCI Rankings - Dylan Clayton (GBR) exiting in the quarter finals along with Australians Luke Madill and Darren Hawkings. The line-up at the start of the final included 2 Americans, 2 Dutchmen and 4 French riders. Two of the Frenchmen, Thierry Fouilleul and Carmine Falco earned their places through a fastest loser system in the semi-finals. Robert de Wilde let in to the first turn, but Steve Veltman (USA) caught him on the track. Veltman and de Wilde rode neck and neck, one unable to surpass the other until Veltman slipped a pedal while attempting a pass on the final jump. De Wilde took first place, with local rider Joachim Enault France) in second, and Jason Richardson (USA) third.
Elite Women.
Natarsha Williams (AUS) gave her all and dominated the race in an attempt to secure her NO. 1 position in the UCI Rankings. The 1996 World Champion struggled with the speed jumps on the first straight but then led in to the first corner and opened a lead, which she held comfortably to the finish. Williams, who finished sixth at the 1998 World Championships became the firm favorite after Australian champion, Heidi Kempshall, crashed in practice leaving her unable to race.
Junior Men.
The field in this category was so strong, it was considered an achievement to even qualify for the final. Although all starters in the final were capable of winning, the on-form riders were Kelvin Batey (GBR), Jamie Gray (AUS) and Michal Prokop (CZE). When the gate dropped it was Andrew Presland (AUS) who was first to show, with Gray pouring the pressure on behind. Pressland went too hard into the second jump on the start straight and killed his speed into the first turn. Gray took over the lead, and held it all the way to the line. Milan Krebs (SVK) overcame Prokop to claim second place.
Junior Women.
In a close contest between Gabrielle Maria Diaz (ARG), Simone Dur (AUT) and Tanya Bailey (USA), the Argentine - who was the silver medallist a the ’98 World Championships, just took the win. The fast-jumping trio raced around the circuit in a time only fractionally slower than the Elite Women did. At the line, Dur was just ahead of Bailey to claim second place. In the aftermath of the event, most experienced observes agreed that this had been the most exiting World Cup meeting to date, largely thanks to the new format.
Remark GD: This seems very hard to me to state, since almost none of the so-called experienced observes have been to all previous World Cup events and then it is hard to compare I believe. By the way, what happened with this format and the World Cup events? Not much action after this year.
Final results:
Junior Women
- Gabriela Maria Diaz ARG
- Simone Dur AUT
- Tanya Bailey AUS
- Elodie Ajinca F
- Tanya Williams AUS
- Melanie Desrochers CAN
- Danielle Visser NED
- Tamara Vakkers NED
Junior Men
- Jamie Gray AUS
- Milan Krebs SVK
- Michal Prokop CZE
- Quentin Delescluse F
- Jonathan Suarez VEN
- Kelvin Batey GBR
- Rob v.d. Wildenberg NED
- Andrew Presland USA
Elite Women
- Natarsha Williams AUS - World Cup winner
- Dagmara Polakova SVK
- Rianne Busschers NED
- Tatjana Schocher CH
- Audrey Pichol F
- Karine Chambonneau F
- Ellen Bollansee B
- Sanna Ohlsson S
Elite Men
- Robert de Wilde NED - World Cup winner
- Joachim Enault F
- Jason Richardson USA
- Sebastien Paradis F
- Steve Veltman USA
- Thierry Fouilleul F
- Carmine Falco F
- Dennis Wissink NED
July 22/25th. The Swatch UCI-BMX World Challenge and Championships in Vallet - France.
From July 23-25th., the 1999 UCI World BMX Championships were held in Vallet, situated close to Nantes in the west of France. The event in Vallet can be considered as one of the best World Championships in the history of BMX at the time. The Championships in Vallet had everything that makes an excellent BMX race: a technical and spectacular track, packed grandstands, a massive and enthusiastic crowd, and last but not least, the best of the best riders attending.
The official opening took place away from the BMX track on a special location in the city of Vallet. A national team parade was organized, free-style demo's took place an speeches were given.
To give you all an impression of the event, here some more pictures of the entrance of the BMX grounds, the parc-fermé, riders area and so on.
With over 1700 entries, racing was hectic. The very hot weather made it even more difficult for riders ánd spectators. Here a few pictures of racing activity during the days.
The apotheosis of the Championships was the Elite men’s final. The three top favorites for the title, Thomas Allier (FRA), Christophe Leveque (FRA) and Robert de Wilde (NED), were lined up on the starting gate next to each other. Leveque came out of the gate fastest and went into the huge first turn in leading position, closely followed by Robert de Wilde. On the second straight Robert demonstrated his impressive acceleration power and attacked Leveque fiercely. The Frenchman however could stay in the lead, but was attacked by de Wilde again on the technical third straight. Going into the last turn there was only little room for de Wilde to pass Leveque on the inside, but it was enough for the strong Dutchman. De Wilde pedaled his way to victory, whilst Leveque finished second just before Colombia’s Mario Andres Soto. Last year’s World Champion Thomas Allier finished only eighth because of a crash.
The Elite women’s class lost top favorite, Natarsha Williams (AUS), already in the quarter finals. Williams, leading by more than 10 meters, misjudged a jump on the second straight and crashed. The title was surprisingly won by France’s Audrey Pichol, who finished before Slovakia’s Dagmara Polakova and Switzerland’s Tatjana Schocher.
The World Title in Junior men went to USA’s Dan Shanahan, whilst Gabriela Maria Diaz from Argentina won the Junior women’s class. In the Elite and Junior Cruiser classes victory went to respectively France’s Christophe
France won the World Championships for national teams, with
2nd. Team Engeland
3rd. Team Holland
GT Panasonic Shock Wave was the best trade team, with
2nd. DK (France) and
3rd. Giant Netherlands (Holland)
Results:
Junior Women
- Gabriela Maria Diaz (ARG)
- Simone Dur (AUT)
- Rachel Galindo (FRA)
- Elodie Ajinca (FRA)
- Aurelia Don (FRA)
- Lucia Oetjen (SUI)
- Emilie Azoux (FRA)
- Heather Bruns (USA)
Junior Men
- Dan Shanahan (USA)
- Stephen Larralde (USA)
- Kelvin Batey (GBR)
- Rob v.d. Wildenberg (NED)
- Milan Krebs (SVK)
- Stephane Renaud (FRA)
- Jamie Gray (AUS)
- Chad Hernaez (USA)
Elite Women
- Audrey Pichol (FRA)
- Dagmara Polakova (SVK)
- Tatjana Schocher (SUI)
- Melanie Boudoux (FRA)
- Rianne Busschers (NED)
- Anne Rougie (FRA)
- Alexandra Cornelius (GER)
- Ellen Bollansee (BEL)
Elite Men
- Robert de Wilde (NED)
- Christophe Leveque (FRA)
- Mario Andres Soto (COL)
- Frederic King (FRA)
- Pieter Does (NED)
- Florent Bout (FRA)
- John Purse (USA)
- Thomas Allier (FRA)
Picture above the start and first straight of the Elite Men Final with fltr. Christophe Leveque (F), Robert de Wilde (NED), Fred King (F), Mario Soto (COL), Florent Boutte (F), Thomas Allier (F), Pieter Does (NED) and John Purse (USA).
Junior Cruiser
- Chad Hernaez (USA)
- Michal Prokop (CZE)
- Medhi Remili (FRA)
- Kelvin Batey (USA)
- Jason Ream (USA)
- Steve Larralde (USA)
- Philip Wildhaber (SUI)
- Dan Shanahan (USA)
Elite Cruiser
- Christophe Leveque (FRA)
- Thomas Allier (FRA)
- Jason Richardson (USA)
- Mario Andres Soto (COL)
- Carmine Falco (FRA)
- Denis Labigang (FRA)
- Steve Veltman (USA)
- Jocelyn Ruiz (FRA)
The other title winners were:
12 & under cruiser Leigh Darrell (AUS)
13 & 14 cruiser Manuel A. Lopez (ARG)
15 & 16 cruiser Fabrice Lheureuz (FRA)
30 - 34 cruiser Jorg de Louw (NED)
35 - 39 cruiser Dominique St. Requier (FRA)
40 - 44 cruiser Patrick Perrier (FRA)
45 & over cruiser Gerard Soucaze (FRA)
5 & 6, 7 Girls Fanny Garnier (FRA)
8 Girls Marie Guerrier (FRA)
9 Girls Jill Nagel (NED)
10 Girls Magalie Pottier (FRA)
11 Girls Melisa Mankowski (AUS)
12 Girls Chloe Macpherson (AUS)
13 Girls Emma Franklin (AUS)
14 Girls Cyrielle Convert (FRA)
15 Girls Aneta Hladikova (CZE)
16 Girls Jana Horakova (CZE)
5 & 6 Boys Alexandre Osbert (FRA)
7 Boys Alexandre Hoarau (FRA)
8 Boys Ruddy Beque (FRA)
9 Boys Gautier Paulin (FRA)
10 Boys Tank Carder (USA)
11 Boys Martijn Scherpen (NED)
12 Boys Leigh Darrell (AUS)
13 Boys Greg Morgan (USA)
14 Boys Manuel A. Lopez (ARG)
15 Boys Pablo Guttierrez (FRA)
16 Boys Ronnie Dugdell (AUS)
19 & over men Willy Turpin (FRA)
Some figures. In total this Worlds did have 1.775 entries representing 32 countries. The French contingency was the largest with 547 entries. The moto count was 292, there were 24 races run in 1/16 qualifiers, 64 races in the 1/8 qualifiers, 96 races in quarter finals, 66 races in semi-finals and 35 finals.
Medal count World Challenge classes:
|
|
GOLD
|
SILVER
|
BRONZE
|
|
|
1.
|
France |
14
|
12
|
12
|
|
2.
|
Australia |
6
|
-
|
-
|
|
3.
|
Holland |
3
|
2
|
3
|
|
4.
|
Czech Republic |
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
5.
|
USA |
2
|
2
|
-
|
|
6.
|
Argentina |
2
|
-
|
2
|
|
7.
|
Switzerland |
-
|
3
|
1
|
|
8.
|
Colombia |
-
|
2
|
2
|
|
9.
|
Lithuania |
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
10.
|
Brazil Venezuela Germany Great Britain |
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
14.
|
Latvia |
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
15.
|
Ecuador Chile |
-
|
-
|
2
|
|
17.
|
Russia |
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
|
Total number of classes |
29
|
29
|
29
|
Medal count World Championship classes:
 |
||||
|
GOLD
|
SILVER
|
BRONZE
|
||
| 1. | France |
2
|
2
|
2
|
| 2. | USA |
1
|
1
|
1
|
| 3. | Holland Argentina Australia |
1
|
-
|
-
|
| 6. | Czech Republic Austria Slovenia |
-
|
1
|
-
|
| 9. | Great Britain Switzerland Colombia |
-
|
-
|
1
|
| Total number of classes | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Eddy Posthuma UCI BMX Chief Referee retires from BMX.
Just before the finals started, the UCI BMX president, Louis Vrijdag took the floor and announced the retirement through the PA system, of Eddy Posthuma, Chief Referee of World Championship events from 1990 on till now (with exception of one year). Mr. Posthuma was presented a BMX World Championship jersey and another small gift. Thanks very much Eddy for all you did for BMX!
During our stay we did meet many old friends. Present during these Worlds were Bernie Anderson, owner of the ABA USA BMX organisation and Clayton John. Appointments were made bu the ABA to talk to the UCI (N.B.L. - USA was the affiliate for the USA within the UCI, at the time) about a possible affiliation of the ABA. The meeting did not take place at that time and later on the ABA learned they had to go through the N.B.L. to become affiliated to the UCI. At that tme that was a mission impossible. This was the 2nd time (first time in 1993 during the Dutch I.BMX.F./FIAC Worlds in Schijndel) the ABA was kind of rejected in a not gentleman type way.
Some more pictures and reports on these Worlds in Vallet - France.
A very well organized UCI BMx Worlds in Vallet came to an end. See you all next time (2000) in Cordoba - Argentina.
August 28/29th. The 8th. Mentos Trophy was organized in Blumenstein - Switzerland.
*** foto Mentos Trophy
September 18/19th. The WEBCO Trophy in Yverdon - Switzerland took place.
This is probably the most unique outdoor BMX track in Europe since the track is situated under a motor high way. Meaning that it is possible to race rain or shine. Just check out the pictures.
*** foto's diversen.
October 7th. During the UCI Congress at Verona - Italy, the UCI President Mr. Hein Verbruggen, presented Louis Vrijdag - President of the UCI BMX Committee, the UCI MERIT AWARD, a very prestigious award.
Louis Vrijdag received this award for his many years of undevoted and hard work to develop BMX on a governing level and the implementation of the UCI philosophy. The I.BMX.F. - UCI merge was Louis’ main job and goal. At the end of 1999 Louis stopped his activities as member of the KNWU Board of Directors and as President of the UCI BMX Committee. Louis got involved in BMX in 1978 when Gerrit Does, the founder father of BMX in Holland and early coördinator of European BMX, asked Louis to help him out as Secretary of the S.F.N., the first official recoqnized Dutch (and also European) BMX organization.
November. Also my dear friend Louis Vrijdag (NED) resigned from BMX.
During the annual National KNWU congress, the Board by means of Mr. Joop Atsma, president, presented Louis the Golden KNWU wheel as a token of respect for all his efforts in the development of BMX. Louis Vrijdag has been active with the SFN, KNWU, I.BMX.F and UCI.
Involved and founder member of the SFN - St.Fietscross Nederland 1978
Integration of SFN in KNWU 1980
KNWU employee for BMX 1982 - 1987
Board member of the I.BMX.F. 1986
President of the I.BMX.F. 1990
Instrumental for the integration of the I.BMX.F. in UCI 1993/96
President of the UCI-BMX Commission 1993 up and till August 1999.
International advisor to the KNWU Board 1991 - 1993
Board member KNWU 1994 - 1999
During the whole period Louis has been acting as advisor to the KNWU BMX Committee. Comment GD: “Louis, I am proud of you. We both know were we came from and what we accomplished".
YEAR 2000.
January, my dear friend and father of French BMX, René Nicolas, issued a book on BMX.
Early 2000 my dear friend René Nicolas, had a book published on BMX called "cours de bicross, race and free style". This 171 pages large book with many pictures tells you all about BMX in France.
January 28/30th. The 2000 NBL Competition Congress took part in Orlando, Florida (USA). Bob Tedesco inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame.
Track directors, state commissioners, clerks and volunteers flew in from all over the country. They all made their way to the Universal Studios Holiday Inn ballrooms for the meetings scheduled. During this Congress, Mr. Bob Tedesco was the 2000 NBL Hall of Fame inductee. His wife Polly Tedesco was awarded in recognition of her services to the NBL.
January 30th., I received very sad news. Our dear friend, BMX'er Robert Indri (GBR) passed away on this date.
Robert Indri is one of the guys that came with us, the University of BMX Training Clinics, to the USA to train and have a good time in Orlando Florida and Columbus Ohio. Story and pictures on these trips one can find under CONSULTING and then click on TRAINING CAMPS. Robert was a very nice guy, not always easy to handle, but he had a golden heart. Robert will be missed dearly by his family and friends and we will not forget you, R.I.P..
February 19/20th. The 16th. Indoor de Tours, Tours - France.
Still one of the top BMX events in Europe.
February 2000. GD started this month writing down the History of BMX and together with webmaster Nico van Dartel (BEL),
started to develop his web-site called the University of BMX (www.universityofbmx.com). Also an official European BMX Hall of Fame was set up and installed.
June this year, in Germany, the 5th. Annual Reunion of Old Skool BMX’ers took place in Weiterstadt.
The reunion/race called “VETERANEN CUP” was held in conjunction with a regular BDR - BMX event.
July 14/16th. The UCI-BMX European Championship and Challenge took place in Mandeure, France.
Around 1250 entries from 18 countries were registered. France did have the largest contingency of riders present (405) and Holland with 175 riders was the second largest. The weather was kind of o.k. during practice, but during racing on Friday and Saturday it rained constantly. Due to the cold and the bad weather conditions I did something I never did since 1979 before: we went home on Sunday morning!
Some results in team competition:
European Champion National teams - France
European Challenge team winner - Holland
European Champion Trade teams - GT/Panasonic
Runner up Trade teams - Webco/Mentos
European Challenge team winner - One Extreme (NED)
Runner up - Quality Gardens (NED)
European Champion Elite men: Robert de Wilde (NED)
European Champion Elite women: Ellen Bollansee (BEL)
European Champion Junior men: ...........................
European Champion Junior women: . .........................
July 27/29th. The UCI-BMX World Championship 2000 took place in Cordoba, Argentina.
Although held in winter time in Argentina, the Championships were raced in perfect weather conditions with a mild sun and pleasant temperatures. The Elite men’s class lost the defender of the title, Robert de Wilde (NED), already early in the race. The strong Dutchman had an unfortunate crash in the 1/8 finals, which ruined all his changes ruthlessly. Another big favorite for the title, last year’s bronze medallist Mario Andres Soto (COL), was not much luckier than de Wilde, and saw his Championship come to an end in the quarter finals.
The Elite men’s final was nothing less than the “Thomas Allier” show. The strong Frenchman took the lead from the start and left no change to the others. With this victory Allier scored his second Elite men’s World title, as the French rider also won the most prestigious BMX title in Australia in 1998. Allier’s compatriot, Christophe Leveque, secured second place, thus repeating his performance of last year when he finished behind de Wilde. Third place went to former World Champion Dale Holmes (GBR), who won the title in his home country in 1996, but now had to be content with bronze. Thomas Allier, already leading in the World BMX Rankings before the World Championship in Argentina, logically reinforced his leading position in the Ranking by winning the Elite men’s title. Thus Allier won an amount of CHF 10,000.00 awarded to the first placed rider in the Men’s Ranking right after the World Championships. In addition, Allier cashed CHF 6,000.00 for his World Title, and went home with a total amount of CHF 16,000.00 in his pocket.
In Elite women’s race it was also a former World Champion who headed successfully for the rainbow jersey. After three World Championships in a row with unfortunate crashes, Australia’s Natarsha Williams repeated her win of 1996 in the Elite women’s class and secured the most important female World title by winning just as convincingly as Allier in Elite men. Belgium’s Ellen Bollansee, crowned European Champion two weeks earlier, followed at respectable distance and took silver. Bollansee finished just for home favorite and last year’s World Champion in Junior women, Argentina’s Gabriela Maria Diaz, who made an excellent debut in the Elite women’s class
Both the World titles in Junior men and Junior women went to the USA. In Junior men’s class it was American’s Jason Ream who took the win, whilst the Junior women’s race was convincingly won by Ream’s compatriot, Jamie Lilly.
Result in the Championship classes.
Elite Men:
1. Thomas Allier, Champion (FRA)
2. Christhophe Leveque (FRA)
3. Dale Holmes (GBR)
4. Danny Nelson (USA)
5. Javier L. Colombo (ARG)
6. Jason Richardson (USA)
7. Florent Bout (FRA)
8. Jamie Staff (GBR)
Elite Women:
1. Natarsha Williams, Champion (AUS)
2. Ellen Bollansee (BEL)
3. Gabriela Maria Diaz (ARG)
4. Nathaly Gonzalez (VEN)
5. Karine Chambonneau (FRA)
6. Malene Madsen (DEN)
7. Ana Flavia Ribeir Sgobin (BRA)
8. Elodie Ajinca (FRA)
Junior Men:
1. Jason Ream, Champion (USA)
2. Santiago Silva Romero (COL)
3. Alian Duarte (BRA)
4. Carlos M. Rivera G. (COL)
5. Rodolfo E. Stipanicic Sorbi (ARG)
6. Javier H. Ortiz (ARG)
7. Federico G. Polo (ARG)
8. Michael Robinson (AUS)
Junior Women:
1. Jamie Lilly, Champion (USA)
2. Angelines Nicoletta (CHI)
3. Kerrie-Lee Lucas (AUS)
4. Rachel Galindo (FRA)
5. Brigitte Pink (AUS)
6. Danielle Visser (NED)
7. Vilma Rimsaite (LTU)
8. Helena Aubry (FRA)
Elite Cruiser:
1. Mario Soto - Champion (COL)
2. Randy Stumpfhauser (USA)
3. Steve Veltman (USA)
4. Sebastien Paradis (FRA)
5. Sidney Borba (BRA)
6. Andy Contes (USA)
7. Kevin Royal (USA)
8. Christophe Leveque (FRA)
Junior Cruiser:
1. Medhi Remili - Champion (FRA)
2. Quentin Delescluse (FRA)
3. Jason Ream (USA)
4. Ryan Nelson (USA)
5. Sidney Borba (BRA)
6. Fernando Silveira (BRA)
7. Hernan Ureta (COL)
8. Carlos Rivera (COL)
Medal count, GOLD SILVER BRONZE
1. France 2 2 -
2. USA 2 1 2
3. Colombia 1 1 -
4. Australia 1 - 1
5. Belgium - 1 -
Chili - 1 -
7. Great Britain - - 1
Argentina - - 1
Brazil - - 1
Total number of classes 6 6 6
Team competition.
Results National Teams: Results Trade Teams:
1. USA 309 points 1. GT/Panasonic Shock Wave 319 points
2. France 306 points 2. Petroba's/Paulinia 247 points
3. Australia 279 points
4. Great Britain 252 points
5. Argentina 245 points
6. Holland 231 points
Cruisers:
Cruiser class > 12 years: 1st. Martijn Scherpen (NED)
Cruiser class 30-34 y.o. : 1st. Jorg de Louw (NED)
Cruiser class 35-39 y.o. : 1st. Teun Stam (NED)
Team competition Challenge classes.
Results National Teams: Results Trade Teams:
1. Holland 336 points 1. Municipal De Cordoba 334 points
2. Argentina 332 points 2. Com.2000 332 points
3. Australia 328 points 3. Cordoba Deportes 322 points
4. Ecuador 303 points 4. Algira Team 229 points
5. Colombia 280 points
6. USA 268 points
7. Chile 259 points
8. Great Britain 250 points
9. Venezuela 188 points
August 26/27th. The 9th. international Mentos Trophy at Blumenstein - Switzerland took place.
September this year the 1st. Annual Reunion of Old Skool BMX’ers in France took place at Beaune.
Organizer was Old Skool and former World Champ Claude Vuillemot. Including wives and children around 100 people were present. A track in the city of Beaune was the first location of International competition in the early ’80’s. BMX in France was kind of born Here (Renè Nicolas, father of French BMX, comes from Beaune).
*** foto Reunie
October 5th. 2000. A Unique happening in the town of Dessel - Belgium.
It’s Saturday morning 10 o’clock and I just came back from my ATB (all terrain bike) ride through the woods surrounding my house. Normal I am very focused, but this time I had to think for around 2 hours about that fantastic happening last Wednesday evening October 5th. What did happen then?
Since a very, very long time something special happened in Europe and more specific in Belgium. A happening that would be unique for the USA as well! A new BMX club opened its new BMX track. O.k., but what’s so special about that? Well, an official Press-conference was organized on Wednesday evening. Frank Smets, a former BMX racer (national Champion and international rider) of the first generation (he started racing BMX in 1979) took the action to start a new club and to built a brand new track in Dessel – Belgium, a small town of approx. 9.000 inhabitants. Two years ago he had this idea of creating the best ever track and organization in Belgium.
O.k. but that still is not that special. The fact that Frank Smets was able to get Joël Smets (not related to Frank) involved, a present WORLD CHAMPION moto-cross ( he won his title this year for the 4 time in his career) that was kind of special. It gets even better. Joël Smets became very involved, helping out building the track, finding sponsors and finally during the Press-conference acted as color-man, speaker, entertainer and track-manager during BMX demonstrations/races done by celebrities.
Joël presented himself as an absolute ambassador for the sport of BMX racing and his club DESSEL 2000. Joël was able to get a line of top-athletes together during this press-conference to draw a lot of attention from the Press. National TV was present and many others from the “writing” press. Besides people from the press, sponsors were invited and special guests. Over 100 persons were present.
Never I have seen this much top-athletes (some of them millionaires) together to help present this new clubs and track. Most of them holding National titles, but also European and World titles in their own sport.
All of these Belgium sportsmen and one woman came originaly from BMX and made it in their present sport, they are:
- Ellen Bollanssee, elite BMX racer in women’s class. Still racing BMX.
- Tom Steels, elite bicycle road racer, member of the number 1 road team in the world MAPEI, raced BMX for 5 years when he was young.
- Bart Leysen, team-mate of Tom Steels in the MAPEI roadcycle team.
- Wilfried Peters, cyclo-cross rider, world level.
- Sven Nijs, cyclo-cross pro, raced BMX from his 5th. birthday till his 15th. birthday on and then changed to cyclo-cross. Former member of the WEBCO BMX team.
- Bart Wellens, cyclo-cross pro, never raced BMX bikes, but recently bought himself a BMX bike to practice and more specific practice bunny-hops, Sven Nijs his specialty which gave him several victories.
- Ton van Noppen, a number 2 in the Worlds cyclo-cross Espoirs class, bought himself a BMX bike too, with the same purpose as the above mentioned Bart Wellens.
- Chris Jacobs, moto-cross Grand Prix rider, raced BMX from 12 years old till 18 years old and then changed to moto-cross.
- Johan Boonen, moto-cross Grand Prix rider, started racing BMX bikes in 1979 and after 5 years changed to moto-cross ( p.s. When I was competing in moto-cross in the '60 / '70, I competed often with Johan’s father, Jan Boonen who was a moto-cross racer).
- Stefan Everts, moto-cross Grand Prix rider, got his first BMX bike when he was 5 years old. Never competed in events, which he regrets he said. Did built his own track at the back of his house. When 15 years old he changed to moto-cross. Has many MX Wworld Championship titles.
- Marnick Bervoets, moto-cross Grand Prix rider and runner up to Joël Smets in the 500 cc class this year. Did ride a lot on BMX bikes, but never in competition when he was young.
Each of these sportsmen were presented to the press and people present and they were nterviewed by Joël Smets, which he did in his own and very entertaining way, that was just great! All of them stated, that BMX has helped them a lot in their respectable sports and that for a lot of young sportsmen and women BMX can be a great start of their sports careers in cycling ( road, cyclo-cross, atb/mtb and moto-cross ).
But this is not all. Joël was able to motivate 8 of the above athletes to take a BMX bike and race each other, which they did. Joël Smets himself just returned from hospital last Monday and did not compete, he acted as announcer of the three moto’s they raced. On the gate were: Marnick Bervoets (on WEBCO), Chris Jacobs, Johan Boonen (on GT), Steven Everts, Tom Steels, Bart Leysen (WEBCO cruiser), Wilfried Peters and Ton van Noppen. The results did not matter, this demo was great for the press and I must say I was surprised about the way these riders handled their bikes, they really raced. I did see Marnick Bervoets win a race with Tom Steels 2nd. And also Stefan Everts did have fun finishing 5th and 3rd.
After the demonstration all present were offered a reception. All together this evening had been a great success and the DESSEL 2000 BMX club with its chairman Frank Smets can be proud. Hopefully the enthusiasm had its effect on the people of the press, helping them writing about BMX in a positif way to help the sport grow again in Belgium. This is what we need more here in Europe. Personally I came home kind of proud too, realizing myself that bringing BMX to Europe, I (probably) have been instrumental in helping these sportsmen were they are now: on top of their present sport.
Report by Gerrit Does.
November 2000, the UCI World BMX Ranking Men.
World BMX ranking Men:
1. Thomas Allier FRA 3011,2 points
2. Christophe Leveque FRA 2639,2
3. Jamie Staff GBR 2295,2
4. Florent Boutte FRA 2268,4
5. Danny Nelson USA 1944,1
6. Jason Richardson USA 1894,1
7. S.E. Mario Andres COL 1858,3
8. Dale Holmes GBR 1715,8
9. Robert de Wilde NED 1698,7
10. Steve Veltman USA 1451,0
End year 2000.
December, an overview on development in BMX during the year in France.
Picture gallery:
