Updates from Beijing BMX

Silver Medalist Mikey Day Interview:

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:50:26 GMT

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_10402229

Local Olympians: Where do they go from Beijing?

Daily News

Article Last Updated: 09/06/2008 11:45:43 PM PDT

Mike Day can always say he was on the first BMX Olympic team for the United States. He can always says he was the first rider from the United States to win an Olympic medal in BMX.

But Day said he doesn't expect his life will be that different.

"Nothing seems different," said the 23-year-old Day, a graduate of Valencia High School. "Nothing's going to change much."

After winning a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics, Day returned to the professional BMX circuit. He raced in Kingston, Ontario, Canada and was part of the Dew Tour in Salt Lake City. After that, he's going to a bike trade show in Las Vegas.

At every event, he will be introduced as Olympic silver medalist Mike Day. Even though he said he doesn't feel any different, he called the Olympics the ultimate experience.

"I don't think anything will ever top it," Day said. "The whole deal was the coolest thing ever."

- Tim Haddock

Damien Godet Talks About The Olympics

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:45:09 GMT

French BMX Olympic Athlete, Damien Godet was interviewed by BeijingBMX.com before the Big Race, but in all of the craziness with attending the event and all, we never got it posted. It's a pretty cool insight in to what was going thru his mind before the Olympics, so read on, it's GOOD stuff. - BeijingBMX.com

BeijingBMX.com - Damien. You've been on the podium of some of the UCI BMX Supercross races, were you surprised to be named to the French Olympic Team?
Damien - That was not exactly a surprise but more of a relief; we were 3 riders in the running for only 2 spots. My spot was never a sure thing and the suspense was complete. It was a very emotional moment when I learned I was going.

BeijingBMX.com - What has been the training routine for the French Team, since the team was chosen?
Damien - First, we rested for a few days after the UCI Worlds then we alternated training weeks between Aix - the French Elite Training Center- and Aigle CMC - The UCI training Center in Switzerland. We trained all together with the alternates, a total of 4 guys and 4 girls. The entire Training Team was, Me, Thomas Allier, Thomas Hamon, Quentin Caleyron, Anne Caroline Chausson, Laëtitia Le Corguille, Magalie Pottier and Amelie Despeaux.

BeijingBMX.com - Have you done any races or just training with your team members?
Damien - Some of us raced the French National Finals, mid July but mainly we just trained a lot!

BeijingBMX.com - What is the coolest thing that has happened to you since being named to the French Olympic Team for BMX?
Damien - The coolest thing is to be supported and cheered by so many people! First of all by my friends and family with whom I had the chance to spend some time since the announcement. But also a lot of Emails and messages on my new website (damsgodet.com)... It's heartwarming.

BeijingBMX.com - What do you think of when you think of the podium at the Olympics?
Damien - That simply makes me dream! I really want to make it to the Podium, that's why I train right now. I’m going to battle to go get that medal. We all have a chance. It’s up to us to grab it.

BeijingBMX.com – Is there anything cool happening with sponsors?
Damien - I obviously received the support from all my sponsors and among them Redline has sent me a specific frame with the French colors. I'm very pleased and that bike is so special since it will be racing in the first ever BMX race!

BeijingBMX.com - What does your coach say to you when you talk about the race?
Damien - He tells us to believe in ourselves and in everything we put in and fine tuned the past seasons. He's somebody who pushes us always further, to reach new limits, to never let go in the battle...

BeijingBMX.com - What do you say to yourself when you think about the race?
Damien - I tell myself that it's up to me now! I have the privilege to be part of that race so I have to give it all. For now, I'm not putting myself under pressure and I keep my head cool: The pressure will come fast enough!

BeijingBMX.com - Dams, thanx for the cool interview, and best wishes to you from all of your BMX Race Fans!
Damien - Thank you for this interview! And a big thank you to the French Training Staff, to my sponsors, friends and family for their support. Thanks also to all the people that are cheering for me in that historical race.

Sifiso Nhlapo, BMX Olympic Finalist Shares His Tho...

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:05:21 GMT

BeijingBMX.com - How significant do you feel that making the Olympic Team and representing your country is, compared to anything else you have accomplished in BMX so far?

Sifiso - I think it’s a big step for me. I have come a long way to get to where I am today and it’s nothing like I have ever achieved before.

BeijingBMX.com - What is your biggest concern or hurdle that you'll have to get over, for you to win the gold?

Sifiso - I guess just being calm about what I'm going to be doing. I guess I'll be really pumped and maybe over pumped. Just keeping it between the tape.

BeijingBMX.com - How is your life different or how have things changed since making the Olympic Team?

Sifiso - Well I have been getting a lot of attention from the media and have been busting my ass at training to be in the best shape of my life for this race.

BeijingBMX.com - Have you thought of what things will be like for you, if you should win the gold?

Sifiso - Not really. Just been playing the race over and over in my head more than anything else over the past few months. I try not to think of what it would be like if I won so I don’t jinx it, hahaha.

BeijingBMX.com - You're in the Olympic main, sitting in fourth place, and it all comes down to this. There is no next week. In fact, next week is 4 YEARS away. Maybe. No one remembers the fourth place rider. What is going through your mind and what are you willing to do for glory?

Sifiso - This is a once very four years event and the time is now so make your move and hopefully it pays off like I would like it to.

BeijingBMX.com Olympic BMX Photo Blog

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:57:47 GMT

It's BMX Photo Buffet at BeijingBMX.com!
Photos galore with some choice observatons on
what was goin' on with them in Beijing!

It's Team Latvia, chillin' on the Start Hill during the afternoon practice on Tuesday. From left, it's UCI World Champ and eventual Olympic BMX Gold Medallist, Maris Strombergs, 'Senior Member' Ivo Lakucs and at right, all round BMX tough guy, Arturs Matisons. All from the little country of Latvia and ALL, Hard Core BMXers!

Tuesday, there were two rounds of practice, one in the morning when it was "Cool", and one in the afternoon when it was HOT! Almost EVERYONE else went back to their hotels and took the afternoon off but when 2PM came and it was time to take some practice gates and ride the track, guess who showed up? Yup! Team Latvia.

The other guys who were doing practice were the last three riders selected to the race, and you might say they "NEEDED" the practice, but these guys? They are some of the TOUGHEST hombres in BMX, what were they doing there, with SO MUCH on the line?

When we asked Arturs Matisons, he said, "we just like to ride." These guys are all about the BMX. They were three of the "Favorites" to make the BMX Olympic Finals, and here they were, sweatin' it out in the HOT Chinese sunshine, havin' fun working out the details of their race strategy. Pretty amazing when you get right down to it.

Maris
Strombergs,
Gold Medal BMX, lining up for The Snap!

Arturs Matisons, gettin' it on out of the Olympic Gate. AWESOME!

Liam Phillips (Left) joins The Latvians in a little "Air Time" on the First Straight at the BMX Olympic Event. Liam had a good time at the race. He went out early, but say that He Will Be Back! Maybe if you get a taste for something you want more of it.

Donny Robinson (Left) and Kyle Bennett, workin' their magic on the Olympic BMX Berm Jump. Donny went on to win the Bronze Medal and Kyle "Just Barely" missed out on the BMX Olympic Final, by ONE point, after seperating his shoulder two days earlier!

Wanna check out the guys who made the Olympics tick? In the white shirt at left, it's Johan Lindstrom, head of the UCI BMX department in Aigle, Switzerland, he's got the Master Plan.

To his left is Mats Notland. Matti is responsible for the nitty gritty details at the UCI World Wide events.

In the red shirt at left is Tom Ritz, the man behind the tracks. Tom builds all of the UCI Supercross race tracks and also ones that countries ask the UCI to build for them as they ramp up their BMX programs.

Pretty cool bunch, these guys put on some AWESOME races!

Italian Stallion, Manuel De Vecchi, made the team at the Olympics.

He's a GREAT racer and regularly participates in that Super Tough Euro BMX Circuit, where almost everyone is fast and the comp it tough tough tough!

He's the only rider in the Olympics with only ONE name. Kamakazi was lookin' pretty good at the Games, but he didn't make it out of his Semi's.

According to Kama, "There'll be at least one more effort in his bag of tricks. 2012!

Official Beijing 2008 BMX Race Results

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:43:33 GMT

Here ya go, BMX fans! Right off the Olympic Moto Sheets!

Jill Kintner Takes Bronze!

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:18:53 GMT

Here's what she had to say on her website:

"Insane insane insane. 3 was my lucky number all day, lane 3 every round, finished third every lap, number 33,third overall, and USA took home 3 of 6 medals in BMX. my bronze, mikey's silver, and the Don's bronze. I am mid media blitz but will write more after this settles down. This experience has been incredible and to walk away a champion is something else. I'm very happy to be able to give something back to everyone who has supported me along the way. Think my dad was shining down on me today. Big thanks to Coach g, Bryn, mom, Paul, chris powell, kinger, USA cycling, Gt, red bull, Oakley,team sponsors, amy Stanton, Arielle, OTC, Steve spencer, Steve "mf" Bamel, Katie k, pete d, RM 59, Leigh d, Smapril, April lawyer, Anthony t, randy roberts, e-dub, mike raich, and everyone back home who has supported me through this!!! "

Learn More about Jill at www.jillkintner.com

BMX Finals Explode At The Beijing Olympics!!!!!

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:31:00 GMT

After having a full day rain delay, Friday we awoke to great weather and we are set to crown our first Olympians. The heat was bearable, but warmed up a bit as the morning progressed. The humidity was a touch better and the smog was up once again. After as shortened warm-up for both groups it was down to business of getting two sets of eight riders for the mains. All eyes were on Shanaze Reade. She crashed in one of her two time trials. In her first semi round she crashed in turn one.

The pressure is on. Reade came back with a good 2^nd place in round two and won the last semi. Things appeared to be back on track? Reade qualified 3^rd behind le Corguille and Kintner. In the first heat of the women’s semis world #2 A.C Chausson controlled things from the first round. A.C headed into the last semi knowing she has qualified for the main no matter what the result. Sarah Walker was the only person to take a win off A.C in the last semi. Sarah qualified 2^nd. Ex-World Champ Gabriella Diaz and Sammy Cools also made the cut for the final.

The gate dropped and Reade gets the holeshot. Through turn one A.C Chausson made her move. Reade went too wide and A.C makes the pass. From here Reade was trying her best to regain the lead. Down to the last turn it is Reade and A.C. Reade goes for a crazy move and crashes. A.C wins easily from here. Reade was left high and dry on the last turn wondering what could have been. She had the silver medal and a shot at the gold down the last straight but choked! Le Corguille looked strong all day and cruised through her semi and finished with the silver medal. Jill Kintner was not in contention and back in fourth when Reade crashed in the last turn. This moved Kintner up to a bronze podium spot.

The elite men class was crazy! There were so many crashes it was hard to keep track of everyone. The two standouts are Mike Day and Maris Strombergs. They are on course for showdown in the main. They have conquered everyone they have come up against thus far. They both breeze through their semis. Mike Day took care of things in semi one. Sifiso Nhlapo, Donny Robinson and Andres Jimenez join Mike in the main. The first semi was tough with all three Team USA riders all drawing the same semi. In the second semi Strombergs cleaned sheeted with three wins. Van den Wildenberg, Jared Graves and Damien Godet also advance.

If you thought the semis were good, the main was off the hook. Donny from gate 8 looked solid but is stranded wide. All the action was going down on the inside. Strombergs leads into turn one and Graves leads out of the same turn. Day is in there in about third. Up the second straight Donny Robinson is following Mikey Day. Into turn two Nhlapo and Graves, both on the outside bonk wheels and they both go down. Robinson on the inside gets by and pulls up in third behind Day in second. Strombergs has a big lead. Donny did his best to chase down Day, but this is the way they finished. Strombergs wins the gold, Mike Day the silver and Donny Robinson the bronze.

It was great to see BMX in all its glory and the public received it well. We all look forward to London.

POLL: Who Will Take Gold?

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:35:41 GMT

TV Schedule Update: BMX Live Tonight!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:34:24 GMT

Here is the new schedule, thanks to Shannon from the ABA:

Aug 21 9:00 PM ET	BMX - Women's BMX - Semifinal 1
Aug 21 9:08 PM ET	BMX - Men's BMX - Semifinal 1
Aug 21 9:30 PM ET	BMX - Women's BMX - Semifinal 2
Aug 21 9:38 PM ET	BMX - Men's BMX - Semifinal 2
Aug 21 10:00 PM ET	BMX - Women's BMX - Semifinal 3
Aug 21 10:08 PM ET	BMX - Men's BMX - Semifinal 3
Aug 21 10:30 PM ET	BMX - Women's BMX - Final
Aug 21 10:40 PM ET	BMX - Men's BMX - Final

Beijing BMX Wednesday Photo Blog

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:02:47 GMT


Maris Strombergs (Left) had a near perfect day with two quarter wins and a cruise right behind the pack with low points.	Australia's, Jared Graves leads a pack of hungry BMXers down the Olympic Start Hill. Jared transferred to his semi final.

BMX Olympic Announcer, Mike Redman (Right) is basking in the glow of Velo Gold, with his buddy, Jamie Staff.	France's, Laetitia Lecorguille gets some input from one of the French Team staff before Time Trials at the BMX Olympic event.

Rob v d Wildenberg and Raymon v d Beizen both made the semi, and here are gettin' a little team support and goofin' around a bit.	New Zealand's, Marc Willers (left) is chattin' up race organizer, Johan Lindstrom and Track Guy, Tom Ritz.

This guy doesn't have that #1 on his plate for nothing. Maris Strombergs is one tough racer. He's got to be a big favorite for Gold.	365 Days a year, Mike Day has the goods. Here, he's seen takin' em up the stairs to the top of the Olympic Starting Hill.

Jared Graves Olympic Blog:

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:59:58 GMT

Courtesy of: http://jaredgraves.net/cms/

Olympics Day 1

Submitted by Scott on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 9:24pm

As Jared doesn't have net access I thought I'd fill you all in. Today the seeding and quarter finals were run for both women and men. Jared had a reasonably good first seeding run leaving him in 7th position. From what I can see in the replay he wasn't going at 100%, playing it safe. Second run didn't go to plan and resulted in a DNF after messing up the first straight. A missed opportunity to go faster which left him in 11th place after both runs.

Obviously unphased, of the three quarters finals Jared won two, only being edged out of the third victory on the line by Roger Rinderknecht.

Fellow Australian rider Kamakaze also scraped through into the semis, Luke Madill didn't fair so well with a series of crashes that left him out of the running.

So who's fast? From what I've seen the usual suspects, Mike Day had a blinder, Donny Robinson had a sketchy start with a single vehicle accident in the first race, but came back in the second two, Maris looked unbeatable untill he nearly crashed himself out of his third quarter.

With one day of competition left we have three very tough semis and then a single final tomorrow. Check out who's in what semi here. Full results and starting times for tomorrow can be found here.

BMX Olympics Time Trials And Quarter Final Results...

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:11:30 GMT

BMX Olympics Men's Quarter Final Printout

BMX Olympics Men's Time Trial Printout

U.S. ADVANCES THREE MEN TO SEMIFINALS OF OLYMPIC B...

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:12:22 GMT

Official USA Cycling News Release - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Day, Bennett, Robinson in Round of 16; Kintner Qualifies Seventh in Women's Race

Beijing, China (August 20, 2008)-Bicycle Motocross (BMX) made its Olympic debut Wednesday as American athletes illustrated their might by advancing all three men's competitors to Thursday's semifinal heats.

Kyle Bennett (Conroe, Texas), Mike Day (Santa Clarita, Calif.) and Donny Robinson (Napa, Calif.) all qualified for the round of 16. By doing so, the United States is the only country that advanced three competitors to the semifinals.

Competing in the same eight-man bracket, Day and Robinson placed first and third respectively after three quarterfinal heats to claim a spot in the semifinals. Day's win was triggered by a dominating performance that saw him win all three heats, clearly marking him as one of the favorites heading into Thursday. After a rough start, Robinson recovered from a crash-induced sixth-place finish in heat one to place second and third in the next two heats.

In the second bracket, Bennett looked solid in his first two heats, placing second and fourth, but came dangerously close to elimination after crashing in his third heat. While exiting turn one, Bennett went down after failing to avoid a pair of riders that crashed in front of him. The result was a dislocated left shoulder, which was immediately treated by team doctors on course. And even though he eventually re-mounted his bike and rolled across the finish line, he was credited with a DNF - did not finish - and given the maximum of eight points. Still, his point total was low enough to advance him to the semifinals and is expected to compete on Thursday.

For Day, his dominant performance began in the individual time trial round, used to seed the 32 entrants into four different eight-man brackets. His time of 35.692 seconds in his second of two attempts was the field's fastest of the day. Latvian Maris Stombergs clocked a 35.910 as the only other rider to post a time under 36 seconds.

Bennett earned the 12th seed in qualifying with a 36.421, while Robinson rode a 36.810 to grab the 24th seed.

In Thursday's semifinals, all three Americans will be matched against each other in the same bracket as Bennett, Day and Robinson join Marc Willers (NZL), Sifiso Nhlapo (RSA), Andres Jimenez (COL), Raymon van der Biezen (NED) and Arturs Matisons (LAT) in the first bracket.

Strombergs, Jared Graves (AUS), Cristian Becerine (ARG), Roger Rinderknecht (SUI), Rob van den Wildenberg (NED), Manueal de Vecchi (ITA), Damien Godet (FRA), Kamakazi (AUS) comprise the second bracket.

As in Wednesday's quarterfinal, each bracket will run three heats with the lowest-four point getters from each bracket advancing to the finals.

In women's racing, American Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash.) rode a 37.913 to claim the seventh sees.

After the 16-woman field was divided into a pair of eight-woman brackets for Thursday's semifinals, Kintner will face Shanaze Reade (GBR), Laetitia le Corguille (FRA), Nicole Callisto (AUS), Tanya Bailey (AUS), Lieke Klaus (NED), Maria Belen Dutto (ARG) and Aniko Hodi (HUN) in the first bracket.

Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA), Sarah Walker (NZL), Gabriela Diaz (ARG), Jana Horakova (CZE), Jenny Fahndrich (SUI), Amanda Sorensen (DEN), Sammy Cools (CAN) and Liyun Ma (CHN) make up the second bracket.

Kamakazi's Bike voted Best Bike Of The Olympics, L...

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:44:48 GMT

OK, it's only the BeijingBMX.com "Fake Olympic Bike Award", but take a look at the paint job on Kamakazi's Olympic Carbon Fiber GT!

Day Two Of Olympic Practice Kicks Off!

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:24:53 GMT

Day two of the Olympics sees another two rounds of practice. The temperature felt hotter than the day before. The women once again were first up to hit the track. You could feel a bit more tension in the air as the athletes are only hours away from the big show. After a quick warm up, the organizers had a full dress rehearsal of the racing for NBC-TV. They locked and loaded the gates as full as possible. Some rode more serious than others. Mike Redman called some mock races. It was funny to see when most riders pulled out in the second straight, but Mike had to call them to the finish. He was calling a race that no one could see.

The elite men had much the same deal in their practice. A few mock races for the cameras. Their practice looked a bit quicker than either session on day one. They had scores, lanes and lap times put up on the big scoreboard and replays on the 45 foot wide, HD Jumbotron. Donny Robinson looked disappointed with something on the scoreboard. Maybe they gave him bad lane? Hey dR, it wasn’t a real race.

The hot sun was relentless all day and fluids are more important than food right now. A second practice session was scheduled for the afternoon. Only two women and six men made the effort to hit up the last sessions before we get down to business tomorrow. Most everybody else is content with where they are at and didn’t want to risk injury or dehydration.

Once again there has been a bit more interest in the sport with visitors coming to have a look. It was also great to see there were no casualties and the start list will go ahead as scheduled.

There is nothing more the athletes can do now except get a good nights sleep and be at the track tomorrow for a 7.50am warm-up. Time trials start at 9am and is due to finish around noon.

Olympic BMX TV Schedule - Starts Aug. 19!

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:20:17 GMT

Aug. 19th 8:00-9:00pm, Primetime, Live ET/CT - Men's BMX Cycling

Aug. 20th 12:30-2:00am - Men's BMX Cycling Quarterfinals

Aug. 20th 2:00-5:00am - Men's BMX Cycling, Primetime Replay

Aug. 20th 8:00-10:00pm, Primetime, Live ET/CT - Mens and Womens BMX Cycling Finals

Aug. 21st 2:00-5:00am - Mens and Womens BMX Cycling Finals, Primetime Replay

Take a Lap Around the Beijing BMX Track with Mike ...

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:42:08 GMT

BMX Racer and Team USA Gold Medal hopeful takes you for a lap around the replica Olympic BMX track at the US Training facility in Chula Vista - from his point of view! Camera by GoPro.

Talk it Up!

A Legend Battles Another Legend - France's, Anne C...

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 10:40:39 GMT

Anne Caroline Chausson is a BMX and Moutain Biking legend. ACC is from France, and a member of the Two Girl French squad that will try to "dethrown", UCI Elite Women's World Champion, Shanaze Reade. Shanaze hasn't lost a race in a LONNNNNG time, and according to riders like Anne Caroline, it's going to hard to hire someone to do so. This week in Beijing, ACC and a ton of other Girl Racers will attempt to derail the BMX tornado that is coming from Great Britain.

BeijingBMX.com - How significant do you feel that making the French Olympic Team and representing your country is, compared to anything else you have accomplished in BMX so far?

Anne Caro - It was a part of my goal to be selected for the Olympics and now it' s important to continue and get a medal. Everything i accomplished before in BMX was just a preparation, training for this event. Even if i wanted to do better at the UCI World's, that was not my goal.

BeijingBMX.com - What is your biggest concern or hurdle that you'll have to get over, for you to win the Gold?

Anne Caro - My start for sure. everything is possible with me because I m not constant

BeijingBMX.com - How is your life different or how have things changed since making the Olympic Team?

Anne Caro - Nothing has changed. I am training the same way. Maybe just a little bit more media attention in France around me

BeijingBMX.com - Have you thought of what things will be like for you, if you should win the Gold?

Anne Caro - No I prefer to concentrate on this event. For the moment there is no 'after Olympics' plans scheduled.

BeijingBMX.com - You’re in the Olympic main, sitting in Fourth Place, and it all comes down to this. There is no next week. In fact, next week is 4 YEARS away. Maybe…...No one remembers the Fourth Place rider. What is going through your mind and what are you willing to do for glory?1) it's was a part of my goal to be selected for olympics and now it' s important to continu and get a medal. Everything i accomplished before in bmx was just a preparation, training for this event. Even if i wanted to do better at world's, thqt was not my goal.

Anne Caro - I will try to go faster and take the 3rd...

BeijingBMX Is On The Ground At The Olympics!

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:45:15 GMT

Beijing BMX 2008 is going to be a big hit at the Olympic Games, as evidenced by this WALL SIZED street poster, featuring the BMX Olympic Mascot, jammin' down the side of a neighborhood street. Keep tuned in to BeijingBMX.com for more from the Beijing Olympic BMX event. Also, make sure to check out our Beijing BMX Olympic Photo Gallery for great shots from the games.

Kyle Bennett On Cycling.Com

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:11:44 GMT

If you want to read one of the best ever reporting jobs on BMX, EVER, by a Non BMXer, make sure to click on the link below and read the SEVEN PAGE article on Gold Medal Hopeful, Kyle Bennett on Cycling.com, a division of Cycling Magazine, one of the more influential magazines in the sport of Cycling.

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-12-17686-1,00.html

The masterpiece is written by Cycling's, Bill Gifford and covers about everything you'd want to know about K.B.

The article traces his roots in BMX, from geeky little kid at the local track to fire breathing First Straight Dynamo at the Olympic Games.

It's one of the best, make sure to read it.

Sneak Peak! Mike Day's Custom Olympic Power Series...

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:37:48 GMT

Check it out, sports fans!

Mikey Day's Custom Olympic Power Series GT, all decked out and ready to hit the track in China!

Mike will be jammin' on some super hot special edition Team USA Mike Day Envy rims specially made for him by Sun Rims. Mike, Kyle Bennett and Jill Kintner will all be running the Team USA / Mike Day rims, and if anyone gets The Gold, might we see some special Gold Ones?

Stay tuned, we'll see next week!

Jonathan "Mosquito" Suarez, BMX Olympian Answers O...

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:28:19 GMT

How significant do you feel that making the Olympic Team and representing your country is, compared to anything else you have accomplished in BMX so far?

To me being part of Venezuela's Olympic team is a dream come true, Being an Olypmic athlete is what ever athlete aspires to be. And especially since for BMX there are only 32 riders that would classify to go.

To qualify I had to classify by going to the various competitions such as the Supercross races, South American continental races, and the UCI worlds. It was great and I feel very satisfied that I was able to classify my country for the Olympics.

Now Venezueala is recognized by the rest of the world since we classified for the Olympics.

-What is your biggest concern or hurdle that you'll have to get over, for you to win the gold?

Nerves, I am always a bit scared or nervous before I race. Some people say that they have no fear or nervous feeling but I think that everyone gets them, it's part of being human.

I've preparred myself to get the gold. I know that the other 32 riders have also prepared to win, so I guess the biggest hurdle is the other 31 athletes.

-How is your life different or how have things changed since making the Olympic Team?

hmm, well, my life has changed alot since becoming the Olympic rider for my country. I've had to concentrate on nothing but BMX.

I've had to be away from my son while training, and as everyone knows training is a everyday thing. It's a big commitment, i've only been able to see my son for a total of a week. I saw him 3 seperate times but for a short period. It's very difficult for me not to be there and watch my son as he grows and I'm missing out on some of the best moments you get when you have a baby.

I know that my family and my son will be able to say that I was in the Olympics and I was part of making history in BMX and that is what drives me, I want to be part of BMX

history.

-Have you thought of what things will be like for you, if you should win the gold?

Well things are going to change even if it's not a gold medal. Winning any medal, gold, silver, bronze, would be life changing. It would be a huge honor to bring a medal home for my country. We have very few Olympic athletes and very few medals have ever been won by Venezuela.

I know that other athletes that have won medals were honored by my country with a house, a salary for life, and they've made them a legend in my country. And if I win a medal for BMX it would be the same for me.

-You're in the Olympic main, sitting in fourth place, and it all comes down to this. There is no next week. In fact, next week is 4 YEARS away. Maybe. No one remembers the fourth place rider. What is going through your mind and what are you willing to do for glory?

Oh man HA HA! I guess the first thing I would do is calm myself. I wouldn't want to get down on myself or pressure myself into trying a move that would put me or any other rider out of the race.

I would be agressive if needed but I wouldn't try a foolish move that would make it so I wouldn't finish at all. I've been in the back of the pack many times and I know that the first thing you need to do is be patient and look for an opportunity to make the pass.

A little contact isn't out of the question though! Ha Ha.

Oh man, and if I won. After all this time of hard work, all the things I've had to over come personally and medically. The first thing I would do a take a nice long vacation hahaha.

It would be the first ever Gold medal for BMX and my name would be in history and the first BMX athlete to win a gold medal that would just be awesome.

Some thanks:

Thanks to BeijingBMX.com and BMXmania (Jerry Landrum) for the interview. Also, big thanks go out to the Venezuelan Olympic Committee, Formula Bicycles, THE products, Fly Racing, Intense Tires, Sun Rims, Shimano, Vans, Movilent, my Mom, my Brother,my son Paholo, Rich Montalvo, and all my great friends that have helped me along the way.

Thanks I am eternally grateful. - Jonathan Suarez.....The Mosquito

Translated to English by Rich Montalvo

Olympic Bound National Teams Continue To Practice ...

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:18:04 GMT

Official UCI News Release - August 12, 2008

While the road cyclists have already crowned their Olympic road race champions in Beijing, other medal hopefuls in the Games’ new cycling discipline, BMX, have been finalizing their Olympic preparation at the World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland.

The BMX competition kicks off in Beijing on August 20th and some National Federations chose to delay their departure for the competition site until after the beginning of the Olympic Games.

Since the beginning of August, Olympic BMX teams from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia and Venezuela have trained at the WCC. The Latvian contingent, with World Champion Maris Strombergs, continues to train in Aigle this week. They will leave Switzerland for Beijing on Friday August 15th.

All the nations qualified for the Olympic Games in BMX, except the Netherlands and Argentine, have trained at least once at the WCC this year. Among the athletes were the two World Champions Maris Strombergs and Shanaze Reade (Great Britain) as well as the French athlete Anne-Caroline Chausson, multiple downhill World Champion, who returned to BMX in order to participate at the Olympics.

Track cyclists from the Canadian Federation also used the WCC facilities from July 28 to August 10 in order to prepare the Olympic Games.

In addition, para-cyclists from the Czech Cycling Federation are on a training camp in Aigle from August 10 to 18 to prepare the Paralympics which take place in Beijing two weeks after the Olympic Games.

Gold Medal Contender, Luke Madill Speaks!

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:34:45 GMT

An Olympic Conversation
With Australia/GT's, Luke Madill.

BeijingBMX.com - How significant do you feel that making the Australian Olympic Team and representing your country is, compared to anything else you have accomplished in BMX so far?

Luke - This is the top of any sport. To be able to represent my country is an honor and something that will be with me forever. It is the first time for the sport which makes it that much more special.

BeijingBMX.com - What is your biggest concern or hurdle that you'll have to get over, for you to win the Gold?

Luke - Myself. If I can ride my own race and only worry about myself then big things will happen.

BeijingBMX.com - Have you thought of what things will be like for you, if you should win the Gold?

Luke - I try not to think about it. It's hard as you do picture yourself with the Gold. But I will deal with it when it comes. Hopefully try and bring some good to the sport and give something back to it.

BeijingBMX.com - You’re in the Olympic main, sitting in Fourth Place, and it all comes down to this. There is no next week. In fact, next week is 4 YEARS away. Maybe…...No one remembers the Fourth Place rider. What is going through your mind and what are you willing to do for glory?

Luke - I think I have raced long enough to know how I will react. If the move is there I would take it but I can’t see myself going for something stupid and desperate. I guess no one has been in that position ever so we’ll see.

Damien Godet Photo Gallery!

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:17:05 GMT

RAD, RADDER & RADDEST Pix of #69, Damien Godet in the
Damien Godet Photo Gallery, ONLY on BeijingBMX.com!!!!