YEAR 2007.

April: OLYMPIC GAMES 2008 medals revealed. 

Dear friends in BMX,

It seems the Olympic virus is finally catching on. During the past 2 months, more and more publications and interviews were published in local and regional newspapers and magazines here in Holland. This gives a really good feeling, still there is a small critical note to make. Even after almost 30 years of BMX in Holland (right now I am talking about the situation in Holland only, on this subject) reporters find it necessary and it probably is, to explain once again, what the sport of BMX is all about, stands for etc.

Just recently the BOCOG, or better the Chinese organizing committee of the 2008 Olympics Beijing, revealed the remarkable Olympic Medals. This presentation took place in Beijing – China on the 500 days before the start of the 2008 Olympics. The medals do weight 150 grams and are a little bit bigger then the medals issued in Greece. On the backside these medals do have a typical Chinese design of jade. The competition to design the official medals did have 265 entries. The design of the Central Academy of Art in Beijing did win this competition. In all, 6000 Olympic medals will be produced.

Recently I received a press-release from the UCI with again some very good news. As a former UCI project manager World Cup series, it is fantastic to read the final set up of the 2007 World Cup events world wide. Also the fact that because very important points can be won here, needed for qualification for the Olympics, members of National BMX teams will have to compete at these Wold Cup series. So, probably for the first time ever since I organized the first project event in 1995 in Brighton – England, these 2007 World Cup series are what they supposed to be, world wide organized and world wide class riders competing. Congratulations UCI!

All of the above has become possible due to the fact that BMX is in the Olympics for the first time in 2008, in Beijng – China. National organizations are now willing to invest in BMX teams to compete in World Cup event, were in the early days, riders almost had to pay their own way to the World Cup events. A very important development, that has been going on already for some years is the fact that experienced former Old Skool BMX' ers are getting back in the sport as organizers, trainers, coaches, officials and so on. Recently I was informed of the fact that Mike King former BMX, Down-Hill, Four-cross champion and sports hero was been named Director of BMX Programs at USA Cycling. Again very good news, congratulations Mike!

One of my slogans is "A SPORT WITH NO HISTORY, IS NO SPORT". Well, the history is building up slowly. This year the ABA – USA celebrates its 30th. anniversary and you would almost not believe it, but next year 2008, BMX exists in Europe 30 years as well. Official organized BMX racing, with rules and regulations, with an official recognized organization, started for the first time in Holland – Europe some time October 1978. As it looks now, there will be an official celebration of this 30th. anniversary of BMX including several activities and set up at an European (international) level.
Rumors are that the former PONYPARK SLAGHAREN will host a weekend event, some time September 2008, inviting European Old Skool BMX'ers, officials and so on, celebrating the 30th. year of the existence of BMX in Holland and Europe. It would be great to have a European Olympic Champion present then too! Who knows!  More information will follow soon.
Gerrit Does


March 23rd. - 25th. 2007:  ABA kicks off their 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY with the sports' largest BMX reunion in the USA. 

Chandler , AZ : The ABA Winternationals have a long tradition of excellence, and this years' annual event at the Black Mountain BMX track is bound to give BMX racers young and old something to talk about for years to come. As the ultimate way to kick off ABA 's 30 year anniversary, there will be the biggest gathering of BMX Hall of Famer's and racing legends.

The festivities will start on Saturday as ABA's very first No.1 Pro, Stompin' Stu Thomsen, will lead the parade lap – followed by up to 20 Hall of Fame inductees and No.1 title holders from the past three decades of ABA BMX.  Among the BMX Hall of Famer's who are confirmed to make an appearance are: Stu Thomsen, Greg Hill, David Clinton , Cash Matthews, Jeff Utterback, Perry Kramer , Tommy Brackens, Turnell Henry, Bob Hadley, Brent & Brian Patterson, Jeff Kosmala , Eddy & Mike King, Charles Townsend, Gary Ellis Jr, Pete Loncarevich, Anthony Sewell, Tinker Juarez, John Crews, Jeff Bottema, Byron Friday, Bobby Encinas and Bob "Oz" Osborn.

Numerous other BMX legends and Hall of Fame nominees will also be in attendance.

Following the first round of pro racing, the ABA – along with Redline Bicycles, will hold an autograph signing in the RL pit area. Custom posters have been made to commemorate 30 years of ABA history; which feature every No.1 Pro in ABA history.

Later that night, at an undisclosed location, will be an invite-only ABA BMX Reunion – with graduating classes from the Pro ranks in 1977 to present day.

Much of the retro Reunion will be covered in BMX'er, BMX World, ABABMX.TV, by Armen (DVD documentary on BMX racing). Look for more of ABA 's 30 Year Anniversary celebration throughout the year – including special edition issues of BMX'er magazine.

BMX Reunion Phoenix - Arizona, ABA's 30th Anniversary

Through my good friend Greg Esser, I received some information on a fantastic REUNION that was organized during the March 23rd. weekend last month. Greg told me all Old Skool Pro's present had a great time, lots of fun and talked history and crazy stories came up.

First I planned to be present too at this Reunion (being an ABA Hall of Fame member and about from the same periode as most of the Old Skool riders present, 1974 and on. After hearing all  of the stories from Greg, I realy was sorry I couldn't come due to work. 

Another good friend of mine Gork, marketing director of Redline Bicycles, did sent me these two nice pictures of the Retro Redline Team. Pictures taken during the Reunion weekend. Recognize everybody in the pictures? Read what they are doing today as well.

From left to right:

Greg Grubbs  =   working in TV/movie industry
Stu Thomsen  =   Orange County Sherrif and still racing for Redline under the "Lifetime Sponsorship Program".
Dennis Dain  =   has been a UPS driver for 25 years (thus explaining why he can fit in to the same Redline jersey he wore on the May 1979 cover of BMX Action.
Greg Hill  =   now working with Mike Flaugherty for Atomic.
David Clinton  =   head of sales with Manitou (just bought by the Hayes Bicycle Group)
Bob Hadley  =   working for Razor USA (along with Billy Griggs, who couldn't make it to the Reunion due to a wedding).

From left to right:

Bubba Harris  =   current Redline Champ keeping up the Redline tradition that these guys started.
Jeff Kosmala  =   Honda car salesman in Vegas
Turnell Henry  =   once worked for Crupi parts/raced VET Pro this weekend in Phx.

Photo Gallery

Brent and Brian Pattersson 2007
Brent Patterson 1980
Greg Esser 2007
Greg Esser 1980

May 2007: The 2nd.  Annual "Rockford of the West" Vintage Meet.

Article:  Courtesy of Gork

The 2nd. Annual "Rockford of the West" Vintage Meet just took place last weekend – in conjunction with the ABA Nor Cal Nationals. Held at Oak Creek BMX track in Roseville , CA., we had 122 Vintage Bikes on display, courtesy of 32 individual West Coast E-Bay addicted collectors .

Throughout the day, spectators and collectors walked down memory lane, and got to vote for their favorite BMX bikes in 8 categories:

• Best Monoshock
• Best 70's Bike
• Best 80's Bike
• Best Pit Bike
• Best 24" Cruiser
• Best 26" Cruiser
• Best Freestyler
• Best of Show.

Custom golden Flight Crank awards from REDLINE were handed out Academy Award-style later that night at PATRIOT BIKES in Fair Oaks, CA.

Meanwhile, on the BMX track, it was " Clash of the Dinosaurs – Round 2 ," with a record-making 17 sidehacks showing up … including the "WASP 11" hack piloted by the Godfather of Sidehacks; Dennis Dain (Remember – Dain for Hall of Fame '07!) and Rick "Reilly-1" Gayton. The Hack race was won by Phantom-OnTrac's young guns of Nic Long and Rusty Nesvig.

Dennis at BMXweb.com just posted up all of the pics from the event. For some great photos, go to: http://bmxweb.com/vintagebmx/

Great pics of the Vintage bikes, Hack racing and modern day BMX action!   Thanks, Dennis!

Results from the 2 nd. Annual Meet are below. Thanks to all who showed up – we're already looking forward to doing it again next year!

--gOrk

marketing director

REDLINE BICYCLES

July 27th.-29th., 2007 - UCI BMX World Championship, Victoria - BC, Canada.

This event took place at a new site were a very spectacular track was laid down in Victorie - BC, Canada. It was a 4 day event and this Worlds did have around 2500 entries from 40 nations. CBC Sports Television and Country Canada (cable tv) were showing the Elite men and women action live on TV.

In total there were 1954 entries from 39 countries. Here a specification:
ARG      20 entries    ESP       9 entries     PUR      18 entries 
ARU      17                GBR     40                RUS        8
AUS      99                GER     25                RSA       31
AUT        2                 FRA   115                SUI        31
BEL      15                 GUA       3                SVK         1
BLR        1                 HKG      4                SWE        1
BOL       22                ITA        9                 USA     439
BRA       31               JPN     34                 VEN       31
CAN    547                LAT     12                 ZIM         8
CHI       24                LTU       5
CHN       5                MEX     36            Total    1.954 entries
COL     87                 NED     85
CZE     22                 NOR      3
DEN     11                 NZL     51
ECU     50                POR      2
 

The result of the World Championship classes were as follows:

Team competition results: NATIONAL TEAMS
World Champion  ............................................

Team competition results: TRADE TEAMS.  Early on this year, the UCI decided NOT to have any Manufacturer Team Championships anymore from now on!

World Championship Junior Women
1. Magalie Pottier   (FRA)  - World Champion 
2. Maria Eugenia Ruarte   (ARG)
3. Lieke Klaus   (NED)
4. Dana Sprengers   (NED)
5. Caroline Buchanan   (AUS)
6. Romana Labounkova   (CZE)
7. Joyce Seesing   (NED)
8. Amanda Geving   (USA) 
 
World Championship Junior Men
1. Yvan Lapraz   (SUI)  - World Champion 
2. Joey Bradford   (USA)
3. Logan Collins   (USA)
4. Jasper Verkuijl   (NED)
5. Nicholas Long   (USA)
6. Vincent Pelluard   (FRA)
7. Tom Skujins   (LAT)
8. Kristopher Fox   (USA) 
 
World Championship Elite Men
1. Kyle Bennett   (USA)  -  World Champion 
2. Khalen Young   (AUS)
3. Randy Stumpfhauser   (USA)
4. Steven Cisar   (USA)
5. Pablo Gutierrez   (FRA)
6. Danny Caluag   (USA)
7. Augusto Castro   (COL)
8. Jarrett Kolich   (USA) 
  
World Championship Elite Women
1. Shanaze Reade   (GBR)  -  World Champion 
2. Sarah Walker   (NZL)
3. Jana Horakova   (CZE)
4. Cyrielle Convert   (FRA)
5. Willy Kanis   (NED)
6. Amelie Despeaux   (FRA)
7. Anne-Caroline Chausson   (FRA)
8. Laetitia Le Corguille   (FRA) 
 
Junior Women Cruiser
1. Magalie Pottier   (FRA)  - World Champion 
2. Romane Labounkova   (CZE)
3. Joyce Seesing   (NED)
4. Manon Valentino  FRA)
5. Maria Eugenia Ruarte   (ARG)
6. Caroline Buchanan   (AUS)
7. Kalia Sweeney   (CAN)
8. Madison Pitts   (USA) 
 
Junior Men Cruiser
1. Fausto Endara   (ECU)  - World Champion 
2. Yvan Lapraz   (SUI)
3. George Sowers   (USA)
4. Logan Collins   (USA)
5. Stepan Tumpach   (CZE)
6. Kory Cook   (USA)
7. Jum Brown   (CAN)
8. Vincent Pelluard   (FRA) 
  
Elite Women Cruiser
1. Sarah Walker   (NZL)   - World Champion 
2. Aneta Hladikova   (CZE)
3. Amelie Despeaux  (FRA)
4. Cyrielle Convent   (FRA)
5. Samantha Cools   (CAN)
6. Maria Belen Dotto   (ARG)
7. Elodie Ajinca   (FRA)
8. Aurelia Don   (FRA) 
 
Elite Men Cruiser
1. Jonathan Suarez   (VEN)  -   World Champion 
2. Danny Caluag   (USA)
3. Kelvin Batey   (GBR)
4. Arturs Matisons   (LAT)
5. Raymon van der Biezen   (NED)
6. Sergia Ignacio Salazar   (COL)
7. Moana Moo Caille   (FRA)
8. Rob van den Wildenberg   (NED) 
  
Medal count in Championship classes (8):
                        GOLD    SILVER    BRONZE
1. France              2             -            1
2. USA                  1            2            3
3. New-Zealand    1            1             -
    Switserland       1            1             -
5. Great Britain      1            -            1
6. Venezuela         1            -             -
    Ecuador            1            -             -
8. Czech Republic -            2            1
9. Australia            -            1             -
    Argentina           -            1            -
11. Netherlands     -            -             2
Total number
of classes             8            8             8

One rider "doubled", Magalie Pottier of France: Worldchampion in Junior women and Junior cruiser women.

Results in the Challenge classes:

Boys 5 & 6                                      Boys 7
1. Ethan Wolthers     (USA)             1. Matias Jesus Brizuela     (ARG)
2. Cristobal Malo     (ECU)               2. Colby Bowman     (USA)
3. Jared Hildebrandt     (CAN)         3. Cristobal Lopez      (CHI) 
  
Boys 8                                            Boys 9
1. Tyler Fuller      (USA)                  1. Parker Simson      (CAN)
2. Landon Sellers      (USA)            2. Ryan Pettigrew      (USA)
3. Alvaro Buenano     (ECU)           3. Lucas Howes      (USA)
 
Boys 10                                          Boys 11
1. Brock Heffron     (USA)               1. Alden Volle      (USA)
2. Michael Bandy     (USA)              2. Sean Gaian      (USA)
3. Collin Hudson     (USA)               3. Hayden Mechielsen     (CAN)
  
Boys 12                                          Boys 13
1. Tyler Whitfield     (USA)               1. Rusty Nesvig      (USA)
2. Mael Levay    (FRA)                     2. Anthony Derosa     (USA)
3. Jordi Schippers     (NED)             3. Nathan Padilla     (USA)
 
Boys 14                                          Boys 15
1.                                                    1. Tory Nyhaug      (CAN)
2.                                                    2. Corben Sharrah     (USA)
3.                                                    3. Lorin Martinez      (FRA)
  
Boys 16                                          Boys 17/24
1. Denzel Stein      (USA)               1. Weston Pope     (USA)
2. Jelle van Gorkom     (NED)         2. Jacob Peebles     (USA)
3. Michael Chastauneuf      (AUS)  3. Adrien Demaria      (FRA)

  
Boys 25/29                                     Boys 30 & Over
1. Manuel Tangarife     (COL)         1. Tommy Opincar      (USA)
2. William Young     (USA)              2. Ben Forwood      (GBR)
3. Sander ter Meulen      (NED)      3. Andy Shaw       (GBR)
 
  
Masters (new in 2007!)
1. John Whipperman      (USA)
2. Tim Dinger      (USA)
3. Pierre Henri Sauze      (FRA)
4. Alan Hill      (GBR)
5. Yann Bonici       (FRA)
6. Szilard Szurdok      (SUI)
7. Jason Carnes      (USA)
8. Percy Owens      (USA) 
   
 
Girls 5-7                                            Girls 8
1. Madison Martinez     (USA)          1. Shanayah Howell      (ARU)
2. Yenti Nijs     (BEL)                         2. Kasey Knowles      (CAN)
3. Zoe Nygaard      (CAN)                 3. Alexie Pusch      (CAN) 
  
Girls 9                                               Girls 10
1. Kelsey van Ogle     (USA)            1. Veronika Gulving      (USA)
2. Lexa Jones      (USA)                   2. Daina Tuchscherer      (CAN)
3. Manon Veentra      (NED)             3. Maria Peinado      (BOL)

  
Girls 11                                             Girls 12
1. Hannah Sarten     (NZL)               1. Felicia Stancil       (USA)
2. Domenica Azuero     (ECU)          2. Shayona Glynn       (USA)
3. Viviana van Hees      (NED)          3. Allison Sennett       (USA)
  
Girls 13                                             Girls 14
1. Elis Ligtlee      (NED)                    1. Melinda McLeod       (AUS)
2. Tiffany Bontorno      (USA)            2. Enora Le Roux       (FRA)
3. Audrey Zuloaga      (USA)             3. Lacey Oliver       (AUS)
 
Girls 15                                             Girls 16
1. Dominique Daniels     (USA)         1. Marian Pajon       (COL)
2. Kristin Hokit     (USA)                    2. Alise post       (USA)              
3. Camile Meyran     (FRA)               3. Lauren Reynolds      (AUS)
 
Girls 17 & Over                         
1. Darci Williams        (USA)
2. Terra Nichols       (USA)
3. Angelique van Gemert      (NED) 
   
12 & Under Boys Cruiser                13 & 14 Boys Cruiser
1. Dakota Senger      (USA)               1. Luca Alfredo Bustos     (ARG)
2. Tyler Whitfield      (USA)                 2. William Russell      (USA)
3. Bryce Betts       (USA)                    3. Graeme Mud      (AUS)
  
15 & 16 Boys Cruiser                       17 - 24 Men Cruiser
1. Jelle van Gorkom     (NED)            1. Weston Pope      (USA)
2. Connor Fields    (USA)                   2. Johnny Woodmansee      (USA)
3. Michael Chasteauneuf     (AUS)     3. Luke Pretlove      (AUS)
 
25 – 29 Men Cruiser                         30 -34 Men Cruiser      
1. Sebastian Tejado     (COL)             1. Tommy Opincar      (USA)
2. Alexander Rico     (COL)                 2. Yann Cherbonnel       (FRA)
3. Dominic Picotte     (CAN)                3. Jean Ren Ducos De Kahitte     (FRA)
  
35 – 39 Men Cruiser                          40 - 44 Men Cruiser
1. Jason Carnes      (USA)                  1. Eric Rupe       (USA)
2. Pierre Henri Sauze     (FRA)            2. Luc Koehler       (FRA)
3. David Alavoine      (FRA)                 3. Ash Rawson       (NZL)
 
45 & OVER Cruiser                
1. Peter Jensen       (CAN)
2. Donald Hill       (CAN)
3. Laurie Penny      (NZL) 
   
13 & 14 Girl Cruiser                          15 & 16 Girl Cruiser
1. Melinda McLeod      (AUS)             1. Alise Post       (USA)
2. Lacey Oliver      (AUS)                    2. Mariana Pajon       (COL)
3. Shelby Stacy      (USA)                   3. Maartje Hereijgers       (NED)
  
17 - 24 Women Cruiser                     25 - 29 Women Cruiser
1. Ashley Grubb      (USA)                  1. Angelique van Gemert      (NED)
2. Genelle Willers      (NZL)                 2. Bethany Plummer      (USA) 
3. Ashley Topham      (USA)                3. Marlies Knill      (SUI)
  
30 - 34 Women Cruiser                      35 - 39 Women Cruiser
1. Marscha van Spellen     (NED)        1. Deanna Jamieson      (USA)
2. Laura Pringle     (USA)                     2. Susan Levan      (USA)
3. Amy Herrmann     (USA)                  3. Wendy Vandenhoven      (CAN)
 
40 - 44 Women Cruiser                      45 & Over Women Cruiser 
1. Manuela Wenzel     (GER)               1. Liesbeth van der Jagt      (NED)
2. Lauren Hines     (USA)                     2. Sharlene McGilvary      (RSA)
3. Jo-Anne Oucharek     (CAN)            3. Ellen Kuiper       (CAN)
 

August 20th.-21st., 2007 - UCI BMX Supercross – Beijing , China.

The "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup took place at the Laoshan BMX Venue, a 1.89 hectares of land, with grandstand holding 2000 seats for spectators and 190 seats for the media. The same venue and track will be used for the Olympic Games in 2008. 

Around 140 riders entered this "test" event and judging the results of this World Cup, western countries will dominate the sport with 18 European and 8 American riders entering the men's last 32. On the women's side, Europe and the United States combined for 11 spots in the top 16. Besides, Australia is also making progress, as many of its riders cruised into the second round. On the contrary, all the Asian riders were eliminated in the group races.

Here the results in Elite men class:
Semifinal 1
1. Arturs Matisons   (LAT)
2. Donny Robinson   (USA)
3. Pablo Gutierrez   (FRA)
4. Raymon v.d. Biezen   (NED)
5. Jonathan Suarez   (VEN)
6. Moana Moo Caille   (FRA)
7. Mike Day   (USA)
8. Damien Godet   (FRA) 
 
Semifinal 2
1. Robert de Wilde   (NED)
2. Jared Graves   (AUS)
3. Rob v.d. Wildenberg   (NED)
4. Martijn Scherpen   (NED)
5. Steven Cisar  (USA)
6. Kyle Bennett   (USA)
7. Ivo v.d. Putten   (NED)
8. Luke Madill   (AUS) 
 
Main event / final
1. Donny Robinson   (USA)
2. Robert de Wilde   (NED)
3. Jared Graves   (AUS)
4. Raymon v.d. Biezen   (NED)
5. Pablo Gutierrez   (FRA)
6. Martijn Scherpen   (NED)
7. Rob v.d. Wildenberg   (NED)
8. Arturs Matisons   (LAT) 

The results in Elite women class:
Qualifier 1
1. Anne-Caroline Chausson   (FRA)
2. Laetitia le Corguille   (FRA)
3. Nicole Callisto  (USA)
4. Jill Kintner   (USA)
5. Aneta Hladikova   (CZE)
6. Arielle Martin   (USA)
7. Kimberly Hayashi   (USA)
8. Joyce Seesing   (NED)

Qualifier 2
1. Gabriela Maria Diaz   (ARG)
2. Shanaze Reade   (GBR)
3. Nicole Callisto   (AUS)
4. Sarah Walker   (NZL)
5. Tanya Bailey   (AUS)
6. Jana Horakova   (CZE)
7. Lieke Klaus   (NED)
8. Willy Kanis   (NED)

Main event/ final
1. Shanaze Reade   (GBR)
2. Anne Caroline Chausson   (FRA)
3. Laetitia le Corguille   (FRA)
4. Gabriela Maria Diaz   (ARG)
5. Jill Kintner   (USA)
6. Sarah Walker   (NZL)
7. Nicole Callisto   (AUS)
8. Tanya Bailey   (AUS) 

YEAR 2008.

BMX celebrates its 30th. anniversary as an official registered organised sport in Europe in this year 2008,

April 25th, the mayor of Waalre presented to Gerrit Does, the "Ridder in de Orde van Oranje Nassau" decoration, in the name of our Queen Beatrix.

This came as a total surprise for Gerrit Does. On that day (GD) I was ready and waiting for Louis Vrijdag to leave for the BMX Veteran Cup in Weiterstadt Germany. Suddenly about 10 people came through the backyard, all dressed up and I was asked to change my motorcycle outfit into a suit. I had to come with them to the townhall. There it became clear to me that a group of former BMX racers had applied for a Royal decoration for me. Together with 7 other citizens of the town of Waalre, I was decorated. Two of those eight were decorated with the "Knighthood in the Order of Oranje Nassau" and I was one of them.

The motivation to be presented with this knighthood was: Starting BMX in Holland in 1978; promoting the sport of BMX in Holland and Europe; Chairman of the BMX Committee KNWU, foundermember of the I.BMX.F. (International BMX Federation) and acting as General Secretary during 5 years of this world wide governing body; Initiator of the national broadcasted AVRO TV BMX series during 4 years; Organizer of the 1st. outside the USA BMX World-Championships in Slagharen - Holland in 1983; organizer during 10 years of the E.C.C. (European Challenge Cup) events at the Ponypark - Slagharen in Holland; Teammanager of among others the Dutch KNWU National BMX Selection, Team AMEV and later on several other so-called international factory teams like Mongoose - MCS - GT and WEBCO. GD has also been activ as project-manager UCI BMX World Cup events from 1995 till 1998.

Again, the whole event was a total surprise. Afterwards Louis Vrijdag en I still left for Germany. For a short report see underneath.

April 26th. 2008, the 14th. BMX Veteran Cup in Weiterstadt - Germany took place.

Right after the ceremony in Waalre, were I received the "Order in the Knighthood of Orange" from our Queen, through our Mayor of Waalre, Louis Vrijdag and I still got on our motorcycles and we left for Weiterstadt - Germany to be present at the 14th. Veteranen Cup there. I was a nice motorcycle ride and we enjoyed ourselves very much during the actual Veteranen Cup event and price giving ceremony. Here some pictures to give you all just and impression of the event.

Final round European Championship Elite Men and Women, Junior Men and Women
update will follow

May 29th - June 1st. the UCI - BMX World Championships 2008 at Taiyuan - China.

Here the final results in the World Championship classes of Elite Men and Women, Junior Men and Women ánd Elite Cruiser (M/W) as well as Junior Cruiser (M/W) classes:
In Elite Men class there were 103 entries during this World Champiopnship.

Final results in Elite men:
1. Maris Strombergs         - Latvia   World Champion  (laptime 36.091 sec)
2. Steven Cisar         - USA
3. Sifiso Nhlapo          - RSA
4. Donny Robinson          - USA
5. Damien Godet         - FRA
6. Thomas Hamon          - FRA
7. Jared Graves          - AUS
8. Jonathan Suarez        - VEN

Final results in Elite women:
1. Shanaze Reade        - GBR   World Champion  (laptime 40.392)
2. Ann-Caroline Chausson       - FRA
3. Sarah Walker        - NZL
4. Jana Horakova        - CZE
5. Samantha Cools        - CAN
6. Jill Kintner        - USA
7. Amélie Despeaux        - FRA
8. Laetitia le Corguille        - FRA

Final results in Junior men:
1. Sam Willoughby        - AUS   World Champion   (laptime 36.097 sec)
2. Vincent Pelluard         - FRA
3. Denzel Stain        - USA
4. Tom Skujins        - LAT
5. Joshua Callan         - AUS
6. Travis Ohrazda         - USA
7. Florian Duhamel         - FRA
8. Yusaku Kosho        - JPN

Final results in Junior women:
1. Manon Valentino        - FRA   World Champion   ( laptime 44.631 sec)
2. Lauren Reynolds        - AUS
3. Rachel Bracken         - AUS
4. Armonie Sailly         - FRA
5. Victoria Hill        - NZL
6. Gaëlle Charpentier        - FRA
7. Eva Ailloud        - FRA
8. Mariana Pajon        - COL

Elite Cruiser results:                      Elite Women Cruiser results:
1. Thomas Hamon      FRA              1. Magalie Pottier       FRA
2. Manuel De Vecchi      ITA             2. Amélie Despeaux       FRA
3. Jonathan Suarez      VEN             3. Sarah Walker       NZL
4. Sergio Salazar      COL                4. Ramona Labounkova       CZE
5. Martijn Scherpen      NED             5. Cyrielle Convert        FRA
6. Danny Caluag       USA                6. Aneta Hladikova        CZE
7. Sifiso Nhlapo       RSA                  7. Vilma Rimsaite        LTU
8. Carlos Oquendo      COL              8. Kaila Sweeney       CAN 

Junior Cruiser results:                   Junior Women Cruiser results:
1. Joris Daudet       FRA                   1. Mariana Pajon      COL
2. Vincent Pelluard       FRA             2. Manon Valentino      FRA
3. Jelle van Gorkom       NED           3. Eva Ailloud      FRA
4. Robin van der Kolk      NED          4. Armonie Sailly      FRA
5. Gavin Lubbe       RSA                   5. Gaelle Charpentier      FRA
6. Giacomo Fantoni       ITA              6. Stefany Hernandez      VEN
7. Masahiro Sampei       JPN            7. N/A
8. Florian Duhamel       FRA             8. N/A 

Here the results in the Challenge classes:

Courtesy of Paull McLaughlin

August 20th. -22nd., the 2008 Olympic Games Beijing - China. The first ever Olymic Games for BMX.

The results of the first ever Olympic Games for BicycleMoto-cross. Event helt at the following venue: Laoshan Cycling Centre, Beijing, China. Around 8.000 spectators were present.

Individual races were run called Time Trial. Here the results in,
Men's Time Trial:                                             Women's Time Trial:
1. Mike Days       USA   35.692 sec.                 1. Anne Caroline Chausson      FRA   36.660 sec
2. Maris Strombergs        LAT   35.910             2. Shanaze Read       GBR   36.882
3. Damien Godet         FRA   36.008                 3. Laetitia le Corguille       FRA   37.145   
4. Arturs Matisons         LAT   36.072               4. Sarah Walker       NZL   37.187
5. Raymon van der Biezen       NED 36.112     5. Gabriela Maria Diaz       ARG   37.590
6. Sergio Salazar        COL     36.145               6. Nicole Callisto       AUS   37.717
7. Augusto Castro        COL    36.301               7. Jill Jintner       USA  37.914
8. Jonathon Suarez        VEN    36.325            8. Jana Horakova       CZE   38.077
9. Andres Jimenez        COL    36.339              9. Jenny Fahndrich       SUI   38.209    
10. Manuel de Vecchi        ITA     36.351        10. Tanya Bailey       USA  38.285

Results in Olympic Championship races in,
Women's Final:                                      Men's Final:
1. Anne Caroline Chausson      FRA,      1. Maris Strombergs      LAT,
            Olympic Champion                                    Olympic Champion
2. Laetitia le Corguille      FRA                2. Mike Day      USA
3. Jill Jintner       USA                             3. Donny Robinson       USA
4. Sarah Walker       NZL                        4. Andres Jimenez       COL
5. Gabriela Maria Diaz       ARG             5. Robert van den Wildenberg     NED
6. Nicole Callisto       AUS                      6. Jared Graves       AUS
7. Samantha Cools      CAN                   7. Sifiso Nhlapo       RSA
8. Shanaze Read      GBR                      8. Damine Godet       FRA

Both Gold Medals in the Games go to Europe:
Maris Strombergs  (Latvia) - Elite Men
Anne-Caroline Chausson  (France)  - Elite Women 

The Latvian Olympic Committee issued a special book on the 2008 Olympics and how its sportmen and women performed during these Olympics. On the front cover a picture of the first ever Olympic Champion in BMX, Latvian Maris Strombergs. Here some pictures of that book.

Late 2010 a picture was sent to me of the BMX Olympic track in Beijing - China. Very sad to see that there probably has been no follow up on maintaining the Olympic track or even start a club at this fantastic location. In my opinion a waist time, energy and lots of money (750.000 dollars !). This is how the Olympic track looked like ending 2010, two and a half years after the Olympics.

The Latvian Olympic Committee made the best out of the fantastic result of Maris Strombergs winning the Olympic title. Special stamps were issued In Latvia and envelopes printed. Here an example of what they produced and which items they did sent to me.

September 2008, Celebration 20 Years of BMX in Latvia (Valmiera, LV), 1988 - 2008.

October 9th.-10th., The UCI BMX Supercross at Rock d'Azur in Fréjus - France took place.

October 19th, celebrating 30 years of BMX in Holland.

An event was scheduled to celebrate 30 years of BMX in Holland and therefore Europe. The S.F.N. was the first official registered BMX organisation in Europe and started on October 19th. 1978. The celebrations would have taken place at the Amusementpark Slagharen (former Ponypark - Slagharen) in Holland, however, due to illness of the organizer Gerrit Does (meningitus in July 2008), the celebrations were postponed till October 2009.