bikenz press release
Kiwi innovation is a key part in this month’s UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.
The 32nd BMX World Championships will be staged in the world-class Vector Arena on Auckland’s waterfront from 24-28 July.
The move to indoor arenas for the sport has become more common, offering an all-weather spectacular for competitors and fans alike.
However it can create challenges for the track construction. For the past three years there have been two separate starting ramps built for the BMX World Championships – an 8m ramp for elites and 5m ramp for Challenge (age group) racing.
The confines of Vector Arena meant there was insufficient room to build two separate ramps, meaning that the event’s operations manager, Tony Takarua from Elite Racing Developments New Zealand had to come up with an innovative solution.
The indoor track at the Vector Arena will include three tracks in one, with all classes sharing the same starting ramp and first straight. It is the first time since the introduction of two different starting heights for Challenge and Elite riders, that the two classes will share the same ramp.
After the two days of Challenge (age group) racing on Wednesday July 24 and Thursday July 25, the start ramp will be modified from five metres high to eight metres for the Elite racing at the weekend. At the same time the first straight will undergo slight modifications in order to host the weekend competitions.
“We came up with the concept of building a single split-level ramp structure with a longer platform for the 5m ramp,” said Takarua. “After Challenge races, with the use of hydraulics, the 5m ramp is repositioned to 8m.
“We are really pleased with the concept. We have built and tested it out and I think this could become a blueprint for cities around the world that want to run the championships in indoor arenas.”
The transformation will take place overnight after Challenge racing. The Junior and Elite Women will use the Challenge section of the second straight, while the Junior and Elite Men will ride on the adjacent Pro section.
Takarua is well known for his track building skills, having led the construction of New Zealand’s sole Supercross track at Pukekohe, the first permanent track to run Elite and Challenge ramps and tracks side by side and the first to use adjustable jumps.
His team will build the ramp and provide the construction team for the track, to be managed by the London Olympic track builders, Clark and Kent Contractors.
The English company has been involved in many projects with multiple national tracks in England, USA, remedial work at the World Cycling Centre at Aigle in Switzerland and the track for the London Olympics which won them worldwide acclaim.
Construction of the track in Vector Arena will take six days involving approximately 10,000 pallets and 60 truck and trailer loads of specially prepared dirt.
Organisers expect more than 2000 riders from 30 countries for the championships, although entries to not close until 12 July.
The Championships begin with the Challenge class (age group) on Wednesday 24 July and Thursday 25 July, with elite practice on Friday ahead of the time trial world title decided on Saturday 27 July and finals on Sunday 28 July.
The event has received the backing of Telecom, Major Events, Sport New Zealand, ATEED, Avanti Bikes, Avanti Finance, Pub Charity, Lion Foundation, Anchor, The Radio Network, Pullman Hotels, Tissot Timing and Santini.
Captions: Event Operations Manager Tony Takarua with finished plans of the ramp, and the framework of the ramp to be used for the UCI BMX World Championships.
Photo by: Ross Land.
Full details: www.bmxworldsnz.com
Morphine Industries press release
Morphine Industries is proud to announce the launch of our new website as well as a few new items added to our arsenal. The Morphine Industries Pleasure Clamp-On Grips, LockDown Quick Release Clamps and the HeliumV2 Aluminum Bars are getting great reviews from team riders and consumers.
by bmxultra.com
Last week we told you about the F-Bom Plan-B race frame that A-Team Distro make available in Australia, and we told you that they have a stable of exotic brands, well since it's quiet on the news front we throught we'd share another one of their brands, the TFS 24Seven Design Lab. TFS offer handlebars, forks, number plates, soft goods and frames.
When reading about their frames we liked what they have to say, here's some interesting extracts from the frames page (www.tfsdesignlab.com/frames.html).
No power robbing frame flex:
Our tube sets are custom made for us, utilizing trapezoid's on the top tube. At the head tube and seat mast these allow us to have a stiffer front triangle.
lOn the rear triangle we modified the seat stays to what we call G-stays. Tubes we had made into D shapes, gave it s box’ish chain stays, add a well thought out braces that allows for some frame dampening on bumpy tracks while keeping power robbing flex at bay.
Quality:
Frames are crafted in North America using USA 6061 made seamless tubing. We could have cut corners going with cheaper tubing, cheaper welders, even cheaper paint but then again you can already buy a lot of frame that are cheap. We are making it so you can buy something good for your hard earned money that going to last
The Response frame
Available in six 20" sizes (Junior to Pro XXL) and one 24" size (Pro Cruiser).
Geometry: www.tfsdesignlab.com/frame-spec-s.html
Want to find out more? Check out www.tfsdesignlab.com
by bmxultra.com
Sam Willoughby's winning streak came to an end at 13 wins when he didn't show for the Stars and Stripes Nationals at South Park, PA on the weekend.
Amanda Carr and Dominique Daniels shared the wins for the Women's elite while Kurt Pickard and Corban Sharrah shared the wins for the Men's elite.
Saturday
A PRO Total Riders = 21 Groups = 3
1 DANIEL SMITH, ROADKILL BICYCLES, CHATHAM, NJ
2 JEFFERY (UPPY) UPSHAW, KUWAHARA USA, DAYTON, OH
3 MAX EGDORF, ANSWER/RENNEN, GREENVILLE, NY
4 MIKE CALDWELL, DFR, NAPLES, FL
5 PHIL DELIZIA, FACTORY NOT FOR HIRE/DKO, TOMS RIVER, NJ
6 BRANDON REID, FACTORY PURE BICYCLES, VICTORIA, BC CAN
7 DEREK BETCHER, HARO BIKES, VISTA, CA
8 KYLE MCRORY, , BRIDGEVILLE, PA
VETERAN PRO Total Riders = 8 Groups = 1
1 CRISTIAN BECERINE, FREE AGENT/ROCKSTAR, COSTA MESA, CA
2 JAVIER (JAVI) COLOMBO, SE RACING/MAXXIS TIRES, COSTA MESA, CA
3 MATT POHLKAMP, DAN'S COMP, SANTA MONICA, CA
4 (BLACK JACK) JASON CARNES, REDLINE, AUSTIN, TX
5 CHAD STREET, HARO/PROMAX, RICHLAND HILLS, TX
6 DOMINGOS LAMMOGLIA, J&R BICYCLES/PROFILE, ORLANDO, FL
7 JAVIER LARREA, SUPERCROSS/BOLIVIA, WORTHINGTON, OH
8 CODY SMART, CHASE/AXTION-SPORTS/FOX, HOUSTON, TX
USAC JR DEV BOYS Total Riders = 15 Groups = 2
1 RYAN ZINZOW, FACTORY SSQUARED/ANSWER, ELKHORN, WI
2 CHANCE TERPENING, POWERS BIKE SHOP, FISHKILL, NY
3 JUSTIN (THE JUICE) RICHMOND, FACTORY SSQUARED/ANSWER, ROCHELLE, IL
4 MAKIEVA "THE HULK" HOPSON, VENDETTA/ELITE BICYCLES, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
5 ANTHONY CATLOW, FACTORY FELT/SC ACTIONSP, DENVILLE, NJ
6 ERIK KLEIN, POWERS BIKE SHOP, RONKONKOMA, NY
7 BEN DESIDERATO, POWERS BIKE SHOP, N HUNTINGDON, PA
8 PONTON (PZ) CARY, POWERS BIKE SHOP, WINCHESTER, VA
Women Juniors Total Riders = 5 Groups = 1
1 SAMANTHA BROWN, DAN'S COMP, GRIFFITH, IN
2 ELIANE MCADAM, ALBERTA BICYCLE, CALGARY, AB CAN
3 ADRIAN (THE ASSASSIN) SANDERS, IXL SPORTS HYDRATION, LEAWOOD, KS
4 MORGAN MCADAM, , CALGARY, AB CAN
5 ERIN KINNIE, TEAM BC/URBAN MENACE BIK, BURNABY, BC CAN
Women Elite Total Riders = 13 Groups = 2
1 DOMINIQUE (3D) DANIELS, SPEEDCO, GILBERT, AZ
2 AMANDA CARR, SUPERCROSS & CORSA RACE, PUNTA GORDA, FL
3 DANI (THE DANIMAL) GEORGE, FACTORY SUPERCROSS BMX, PALMDALE, CA
4 CARLEY YOUNG, FACTORY KID DYNAMITE, HUNTERSVILLE, NC
5 SHELBY STACY, ANSWER/PROFILE/SSQUARED, BAKERSFIELD, CA
6 BAYLIE KORTMAN, DIAMONDBACK, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
7 AMELIA WALSH, YESS BMX/CLIF BAR, AYR, ON CAN
8 AMANDA GEVING, YESS/TROY LEE DESIGN, LARGO, FL
Men Juniors Total Riders = 15 Groups = 2
1 TYLER WHITFIELD, FACTORY SSQUARED/ANSWER, ROCKFORD, IL
2 MALIEK BYNDLOSS, FACTORY SSQUARED, CAPE CORAL, FL
3 ALDEN VOLLE, DAN'S COMP, PENRYN, CA
4 COLE TESAR, FACTORY FELT/SC ACTIONSP, HUNTERSVILLE, NC
5 ANDREW TOWNSEND, HARO/PROMAX, HAMPTON, VA
6 DYLAN "SNIPER" COOLEY, DK BICYCLES, HUBER HEIGHTS, OH
7 HAYDEN MECHIELSEN, THE BIKE MASTER, LANGLEY, BC CAN
8 JUSTIN KNAPPER, ANSWER/RENNEN, POTTSTOWN, PA
Men Elite Total Riders = 33 Groups = 6
1 KURT PICKARD, HARO,
2 CORBEN SHARRAH, HARO, TUCSON, AZ
3 DAVID HERMAN (THE HERMINATOR), FREE AGENT/ROCKSTAR, WHEAT RIDGE, CO
4 JUSTIN POSEY, DAN'S COMP, WINSTON-SALEM, NC
5 JOSHUA MEYERS, FACTORY SSQUARED, TREASURE ISLAND, FL
6 RILEY STAIR, TANGENT, FOLSOM, CA
7 DONNY ROBINSON, SE RACING, NAPA, CA
8 TANNER"T-BONE"SEBESTA, TRIKIN OUT TRUKS, MANCHACA, TX
Sunday
A PRO Total Riders = 20 Groups = 3
1 PHIL DELIZIA, FACTORY NOT FOR HIRE/DKO, TOMS RIVER, NJ
2 KYLE MCRORY, , BRIDGEVILLE, PA
3 WILLIAM (WILL THE THRILL) GRANT, MY RADAR/VERT CLOTHING, LARGO, FL
4 DANIEL SMITH, ROADKILL BICYCLES, CHATHAM, NJ
5 JEFFERY (UPPY) UPSHAW, KUWAHARA USA, DAYTON, OH
6 BRANDON REID, FACTORY PURE BICYCLES, VICTORIA, BC CAN
7 MIKE CALDWELL, DFR, NAPLES, FL
8 JAMES PALMER, YESS BMX, N VANCOUVER, BC CAN
VETERAN PRO Total Riders = 8 Groups = 1
1 CRISTIAN BECERINE, FREE AGENT/ROCKSTAR, COSTA MESA, CA
2 JAVIER (JAVI) COLOMBO, SE RACING/MAXXIS TIRES, COSTA MESA, CA
3 MATT POHLKAMP, DAN'S COMP, SANTA MONICA, CA
4 (BLACK JACK) JASON CARNES, REDLINE, AUSTIN, TX
5 CHAD STREET, HARO/PROMAX, RICHLAND HILLS, TX
6 DOMINGOS LAMMOGLIA, J&R BICYCLES/PROFILE, ORLANDO, FL
7 JAVIER LARREA, SUPERCROSS/BOLIVIA, WORTHINGTON, OH
8 CODY SMART, CHASE/AXTION-SPORTS/FOX, HOUSTON, TX
USAC JR DEV BOYS Total Riders = 12 Groups = 2
1 RYAN ZINZOW, FACTORY SSQUARED/ANSWER, ELKHORN, WI
2 JUSTIN (THE JUICE) RICHMOND, FACTORY SSQUARED/ANSWER, ROCHELLE, IL
3 MAKIEVA "THE HULK" HOPSON, VENDETTA/ELITE BICYCLES, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
4 JOSEPH ROTGER, FORTRESS RACING, DAVIE, FL
5 ETHAN (THE KID) KENNEDY, , COLONA, IL
6 JUSTIN (YAG DOG) YAGGY, FACTORY STAATS, ISANTI, MN
7 CHANCE TERPENING, POWERS BIKE SHOP, FISHKILL, NY
8 COLEMAN HABIB, FACTORY FELT/SC ACTIONSP, GOOSE CREEK, SC
Women Juniors Total Riders = 5 Groups = 1
1 SAMANTHA BROWN, DAN'S COMP, GRIFFITH, IN
2 ADRIAN (THE ASSASSIN) SANDERS, IXL SPORTS HYDRATION, LEAWOOD, KS
3 ELIANE MCADAM, ALBERTA BICYCLE, CALGARY, AB CAN
4 ERIN KINNIE, TEAM BC/URBAN MENACE BIK, BURNABY, BC CAN
5 MORGAN MCADAM, , CALGARY, AB CAN
Women Elite Total Riders = 12 Groups = 2
1 AMANDA CARR, SUPERCROSS & CORSA RACE, PUNTA GORDA, FL
2 DOMINIQUE (3D) DANIELS, SPEEDCO, GILBERT, AZ
3 AMANDA GEVING, YESS/TROY LEE DESIGN, LARGO, FL
4 BAYLIE KORTMAN, DIAMONDBACK, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
5 DANI (THE DANIMAL) GEORGE, FACTORY SUPERCROSS BMX, PALMDALE, CA
6 SHELBY STACY, ANSWER/PROFILE/SSQUARED, BAKERSFIELD, CA
7 ALAINA HENDERSON, , RUBY, NY
8 ROSEMARY ADAMS, , SURREY, BC CAN
Men Juniors Total Riders = 15 Groups = 2
1 TYLER WHITFIELD, FACTORY SSQUARED/ANSWER, ROCKFORD, IL
2 JUSTIN KNAPPER, ANSWER/RENNEN, POTTSTOWN, PA
3 MALIEK BYNDLOSS, FACTORY SSQUARED, CAPE CORAL, FL
4 DYLAN "SNIPER" COOLEY, DK BICYCLES, HUBER HEIGHTS, OH
5 ANDREW TOWNSEND, HARO/PROMAX, HAMPTON, VA
6 COLE TESAR, FACTORY FELT/SC ACTIONSP, HUNTERSVILLE, NC
7 LAYNE GAINER, FBN/SUPERCROSS, WAUCONDA, IL
8 BRANDON "BIG B" CESLOK, FACTORY SSQUARED/ANSWER, JANESVILLE, WI
Men Elite Total Riders = 33 Groups = 6
1 CORBEN SHARRAH, HARO, TUCSON, AZ
2 KURT PICKARD, HARO,
3 NIC LONG, HARO, LAKESIDE, CA
4 BRIAN KIRKHAM, , CHULA VISTA, CA
5 MATT CAMERON, CRUPI,
6 JUSTIN POSEY, DAN'S COMP, WINSTON-SALEM, NC
7 RILEY STAIR, TANGENT, FOLSOM, CA
8 DAVID HERMAN (THE HERMINATOR), FREE AGENT/ROCKSTAR, WHEAT RIDGE, CO
bikenz press release
Defending champions Sam Willoughby and Connor Fields will defend their titles at the UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland later this month.
Willoughby (Australia) won the overall title in Birmingham last year while Fields (USA) earned the rainbow jersey in the Super Time Trial. Both stars today confirmed that they will head to New Zealand, joining double Olympic gold medallist Maris Strombergs who announced his entry last week for the UCI BMX World Championships at the Vector Arena in Auckland on July 24-28.
The 21-year-old Willoughby is the hottest rider on the planet this year, with 13 straight wins on the USA BMX Nationals circuit while 20 year old Fields has four World Cup Supercross wins to his credit and was the USA National Champion last year.
Willoughby, the Californian-based South Australian, does not believe his success last year adds extra pressure in Auckland.
“It always puts a bit of a target on your back coming in as the defending champion and people want to take the crown. I just want to keep that rainbow jersey,” Willoughby said.
He is buoyed after his record-setting form this year, although he will bypass the opportunity to extend his winning run in Pittsburgh this weekend as he heads to Canada for final preparations.
“I have had a really good year, actually since before the Grand Nationals last year. Any time you are winning it is good for your confidence,” Willoughby said.
“I will come in to the worlds with the knowledge that I know how to win a race. That’s always a positive. I just want to do the same thing I have been doing in these races and try to put another one together.”
A key to his improvement has been his move to Australian coach Sean Dwight.
“For the last two years I’ve been floating along on my own trying to figure things out and it just got me by. We have pretty much flipped everything since I started working with him last September. It is definitely working. The biggest thing is to have someone to chat with when I need.”
Fields has raced around the globe this year, currently second with one round remaining in the UCI Supercross World Cup.
“I like the Supercross style of track than the traditional USA BMX track. I think it is more fun,” Fields said. “It has made it better by being able to showcase what we can do. With the tracks bigger and faster not only has it improved our skills as riders, we are able to show the world just what we are capable of.”
The Las Vegas rider, who swapped a promising career in football for BMX, has never looked back.
“I like the individualism of BMX. If I do well or not, then it is on me and I don’t have to rely on a teammate. I like that it is different every single time. If you are doing stick or ball sport, or swimming or track and field, it is the same every time. You never get two tracks the same in BMX so it always keeps it fresh.”
The pair agrees on what it will take to win at this month’s world championships at Vector Arena.
“The holeshot is huge. It is the most important thing by far. And the smaller the track the more important and it is a lot easier to win from the front that it is to pass people especially on a smaller and tighter track,” Fields said.
Willoughby agrees.
“The biggest thing is going to be to get to the first corner first. That is always the goal in all BMX races but when it is in a tight indoor arena it is pretty much the race. That will be the main thing to execute.
“The big plus is that it will be a great atmosphere and a really great vibe. New Zealand is like Australia and they get behind their sport. I’d like to think there will be plenty of Australians heading over to watch and support us.”
Organisers expect more than 2000 riders from 30 countries for the Championships, although entries to not close until 12 July.
The Championships begin with the Challenge class (age group) on Wednesday 24 July and Thursday 25 July, with elite practice on Friday ahead of the time trial world title decided on Saturday 27 July and finals on Sunday 28 July.
The event is supported by Major Events, Sport New Zealand, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Telecom, Avanti Bikes, Avanti Finance, Pub Charity, Lion Foundation, Anchor, The Radio Network, Pullman Hotels, Tissot Timing and Santini.
Full details: www.bmxworldsnz.com
by bmxultra.com
Our friends over at A-Team Distro distribute some pretty sweet products throughout Australia. They are mostly exotic brands, but importantly each of them is true to the heart and soul of BMX. A-Team do some well known brands like Snap, but some of the other brands we don't know about until A-Team start showing them off on Facebook or hit us up with an SMS. So when we heard they were the Australian distributor for F-Bom we had to check it out.
F-Bom's Plan-B race frame is manufactured in the United States by Standard Byke Co. The frame is made of a combination of True Temper OX Platinum and True Temper 4130 Chromoly. The top and down tubes, where strength is needed most, are OX Platinum and all other tubing is tried and true 4130 Chromoly. (This is code for stiff and light, and a message to all you people on alloy frames; you should be asking yourself why!)
One of the things I like about the Plan-B is the reasoning behind the materials and design elements used, and rather than repeat it all here's the link to check it all out for yourselves. http://www.fbombikeco.com/bike-frames/f-bom-plan-b/
At only 3lbs 11oz….the plan-b is both stiff and light weight, we'd love to be able to do a review on one of these puppies. Did you read that Scotty?
| Head Tube | Integrated |
| Down Tube Diameter | 1.50″ |
| Top Tube Diameter | 1.25″ |
| Bottom bracket Type | Euro |
| Seat Tube Size | 27.2″ Butted |
| Seat Stay O.D. | 3/4" |
| Chain Stay O.D. | 3/4" |
| Head Angle | 74.5 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 71.0 |
| Rear End Length (Slammed) | 13.90″ |
| Top Tube Lengths | 20, 20.5, 20.75, 21, 21.25, 21.50 and 22 |
| Bottom Bracket Height | 11 5/8″ |
| Drop Out Thickness | 1/8″ Laser Cut |
| Axle Slot Size | 3/8" |
| Weight | 3lbs, 11oz. |
What really stands out here is the super short chainstay. I know a bunch of people who have been looking for a frame with this geometry. Although the translucent colours aren't new to BMX they really make this frame look great and stand out from the crowd.
20" F-Bom Plan-B
24" F-Bom Plan-B
Want to find out more? Check out www.fbombikeco.com
by bmxultra.com
This is the second installment of the Australian Championships results. Officially 1981 was the year of the first Australian Championships. (Results are extracted from BMX National newspaper from July 1992.)
Do you recognise any of these names?
by bmxultra.com
Many years ago at bmxultra.com we started to develop a gear chart and a gear calculator that could be used on the web, so no matter where you were, providing you had an internet connection and a browser, you could access them. Of course they have changed somewhat, now the calculator produces an interactive gear chart, which sounds very complicated but couldn't be easier to use. Not only that though, the calculator can give you exact roll out for Tioga PowerBlock tires and many other popular tires. Since we use it a lot ourselves we are very proud of what we have been able to produce and how popular it is.
Every now and then, while at some tracks we found that internet connections on the phone were very slow making the gear calculator a little difficult to use. It's been a long time coming but you can finally have a copy of the gear calculator on your iPhone and/or iPad and not need an internet connection.
The app just went on sale at iTunes today and we already have great feedback. Check this out
"Just downloaded, the best $1.99 I have spent on BMX in years!! Many thanks!"
"Just got it easy to use well done"
"Great job on making this into an app."
Check it out:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bmx-gear-calculator/id665859954?mt=8
If you haven't already seen the online version you can check it out here:
bmxultra.com/downloads/flash/gearchart_phone.htm
BikeNZ press release
Double Olympic gold medallist Maris Strombergs has confirmed his entry for this month’s UCI BMX World Championship presented by Telecom in Auckland.
Strombergs, from Latvia, is the sport’s biggest name, having won two BMX World elite titles as well as the Olympic gold medal both in Beijing, where the sport made its debut, and again in London last year.
The 26 year old will be one of the clear favourites when the UCI BMX World Championships comes to New Zealand for the first time, to be staged at Vector Arena on 24-28 July.
He will be part of a five-strong team from Latvia, according to coach Ivo Lakucs, himself a two-time Olympian in track cycling at Sydney 2000 and also in BMX at Beijing where he was a quarterfinalist.
Strombergs has recently returned to racing following a lengthy break after the Olympics.
“Growing up I never thought I'd be able to call myself a two time Olympic champion. But after winning the Olympics it was hard to keep myself motivated, my mind set just wasn't in it anymore. I decided to end the season early.
“I kept busy while I was back home in Latvia with all the media and trying to get some training in for the season. I got to do a lot of cross country skiing which I really enjoyed, made training a little fun. It was just good to do something different.
“I didn’t want to get back on my bike before I started missing it again and got that hunger back. After taking a break I am happy to be back riding and racing again.”
He has recently returned to the US after winning the overall European BMX Championship, amassing seven wins in the 10 rounds held in France, Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden and Latvia over the last two months.
He had to be content with second in both final rounds in the Latvian capital of Riga to compatriot Edzus Treimaris, who will also compete in Auckland.
“It was great doing the whole series again,” said Strombergs. “I’m really looking forward to this season. And now I am looking forward to racing in New Zealand.”
Strombergs took up the sport at age six years and won his first world challenge title at nine. Kicknamed “The Machine”, Strombergs splits his time between his home in Valiera in Latvia and Murrieta in southern California.
Organisers expect more than 2000 riders from 30 countries for the championships, although entries to not close until 12 July.
The Championships begin with the Challenge class (age group) on Wednesday 24 July and Thursday 25 July, with elite practice on Friday ahead of the time trial world title decided on Saturday 27 July and finals on Sunday 28 July.