Elite & Junior Winners At UCI Worlds In Rotterdam!

Rebel Run BMX is the brainchild of two friends with a passion for BMX and for individuals who always try to push and exceed the limits of what we can do as human beings.

Travis Postany and Lee Lewis have traveled the world riding BMX together for 14 years. While they gained all the knowledge and experience one can about the sport, they saw inconsistencies in training and a huge lack of places to learn and practice the sport. Rebel Run BMX was created to share their years of experience with those who are willing to get serious, listen, work, and take their skills to the next level.

If you just want to do a few sprints a day, then this camp is not for you. If you just want to go to the track, jump the second straight over and over, and call it a night, then this camp is not for you. Many say, “Well, you just have to have fun.” We say, “That mentality is killing BMX.”

How can an individual or a sport progress by only doing what is “fun”? The reality is that “fun” will not put you on the podium; “fun” will not get you Number One titles; and “fun” will not push and test and force the limits of a sport or individual, which is what keeps BMX (or any other sport) alive and growing.

Rebel Run BMX is not like any other BMX camp or clinic you’ve been to or heard of. We take a different approach to training that we believe this sport desperately needs and offer an experience you won’t find anywhere else. If you have a goal or dream to do big things in BMX then we can help you reach that.

A record 2841 participants have announced their presence across the Challenge and Junior / Elite categories. They represent 41 countries, the highest number of countries since Birmingham (GBR) in 2012 when the 2204 participants represented 38 countries.

The 244 athletes registered in the Championship classes (Elite and Juniors) include reigning World Champions Caroline Buchanan (AUS) and Liam Phillips (GBR). These two athletes, who are also leading the 2014 UCI Supercross World Cup standings, will be up against reigning Olympic Champions Maris Strombergs (LAT) and Mariana Pajon (COL). World Champion in 2011, Pajon will be looking to regain the Elite Women’s World title, as will 2012 World Champion Magalie Pottier (FRA). In the men’s competition, double World Champion (2011 and 2012) Australia’s Sam Willoughby will be in the running for a third world title in Rotterdam.

UCI BMX Coordinator Ellen Bollansée welcomed the record number of entries, which reflects the ever-growing popularity and professionalism of the discipline.

“The BMX World Championships are unique in that the week leading up to the Elite racing, age-groupers from all over the world get to race at the same venue,” she said. “The fact that we have nearly 2600 athletes registered for the Challenge classes is a demonstration that cycling’s youngest Olympic sport is booming.

“But the main event of the Championships is of course the Elite racing,” added Ms Bollansée. “All the big names are coming to Rotterdam so the racing promises to be exceptional.”

Photo by UCI / Reigning World Champion Liam Phillips (No 1) will be among the record number of participants in Rotterdam.

That's OK, they're in good hands. With good coordination from USABMX, USA Cycling and the UCI, they'll be runnin' great races at Novant Health BMX SX track for years!

That all gets 'Kicked Off', August 23rd with a stellar Grand Opening that'll feature BMX Pros, USABMX staff, USA Cycling representatives and UCI personnel as well as a full gate of local officials, Novant Health reps and of course, BMXers, itchin' to get on the track!

If you're in the area, which could be the entire East Coast.....Make it on out and celebrate the new track and take in the USABMX race, Saturday afternoon!

BMX Media Man, Al Cayne sat down with Rich at the recent USABMX Stars & Stripes National recently for a comprehensive look at Staats, BMX As Art and the direction of BMX in general!

It's a nice look at a good effort by some folks dedicated to BMX racing!

From Big Al ....... "We got an exclusive Bike Check of factory GT Bikes rider Jonas Harmon's 2015 Speed Series! This is an amazing looking bike with lots of cool new features!"

Connor Fields:

The Stars and Stripes National event had a slightly different schedule for the Pro riders, as they races on Friday night and Saturday. Friday night was a UCI points gathering event as well, giving the riders an opportunity to collect points towards the UCI ranking and Olympic selection.

With the French National Championship this weekend as well, Connor Fields was the lone Chase Factory rider to attend the Stars and Stripes national, but he decently did not let the Chase Bicycles fans down!

On Saturday, Connor rode strong and consistent all day, and made his way info the main event. Connor would battle it out with Sam Willoughby in the final from the Gate drop to the finish line, and finished up in 2nd for the day.

Joris Daudet: Meanwhile, in France, on Saturday, July 5th, Joris Daudet raced in Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, France at the French National Championships.

Joris lead the one main event final for the title from start to finish, with a good battle from Quentin Caleyron, but Joris took the win and title.

French National Elite Men's Final: 1. Joris DAUDET 2. Quentin CALEYRON 3. Damien GODET 4. Moana MOO CAILLE 5. Remi RICCARDI 6. Romain MAYET 7. Amidou MIR 8. Axel LE NAGARD

www.chasebicycles.com

(Photos courtesy of SJS Photography)

UCI BMX World Championships: Reunion of Champions

“We wanted to create an extra feature for the public during these Worlds and of course give these athletes the platform they deserve,” explains organizer Eric Kersten.

The idea of a major international reunion was born during discussions between the event organizers and Gerrit Does, organizer of the World Championships in the Netherlands in 1983. Mr. Does called on his extensive contacts worldwide to bring the idea to fruition.

“This is an absolute first and unique happening,” he said. “We also hope we can attract current riders for a unique photo opportunity,” he added.

The main day of the reunion will be Saturday July 26th, with an organized bike ride through Rotterdam for the former Champions, who will arrive at the city’s Ahoy arena in time to watch the Juniors and Elite time trials.

1979 World Champion “PK Ripper” among participants - The reunion will bring back strong memories for the world’s former World Champions, such as Perry Kramer, one of the first ever USA Pros to race in Europe. Namesake for the infamous “PK Ripper” bike, Kramer was crowned BMX World Champion in Indianapolis, USA, in 1979.

“The BMX community is strong and we really try to stay connected,” says Kramer. “I see a lot (of former BMX competitors) at BMX reunions, but to try to get together racers who have earned a distinctive title such as World Champion has not been attempted before.

“It will be cool to swap some ‘World Championship’ stories with some of the other champions.”

Kramer welcomes the globalization of BMX which sees riders from a lot of different countries on the international podium.

“When I won the Pro World Championships back in 1979, all 8 riders in the main event were Californian,” he says.

The former Champion has a hard time naming some of his greatest BMX memories, although winning his first big national race in the 1976 Winter Nationals would have to be one of them… as is travelling to the Netherlands to race in 1980.

“But more of my best memories come from the off-the-track fun we had while touring the USA back in the late 70s and early 80s.”

At the end of his competitive career, Perry Kramer remained in the industry, covering a wide section of American territory as sales rep and accounts executive for Giant Bicycles.

“I actually started working in the bicycle industry when I was still racing. It was a logical step. I still really want to ride bikes all the time and I still race… but on mountain bikes and mostly for fun.”

The 2014 UCI BMX World Championships will take place at the Ahoy arena from July 23 to 27. The unofficial meeting place for the former World Champions during that period will be at the nearby BMX Museum.

www.insightbmx.com

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