Although the flow team riders have not officially been informed, DC's BMX team is experiencing a major cut. After their TM got fired, it's now time to cut into their BMX team. The pro riders seem to be okay but their 17 people strong flow team will see some cuts. A few of them will survive as they will be picked by the pro team to stay on.
Talking about shoe sponsors, Ryan Nyquist showed up in Osiris shoes and jumped higher than I've ever seen him jump. It must be the shoes, or the jeans he was wearing? Just kidding Ryan. Congrats on the new sponsorship.
Mark Webb made it to Salt Lake city. The last practice is about to start and him and Alessandro Barbero will represent Europe in the qualifying event. Good luck to both of them.
We'd like to thank Vans for providing a queen sized bed in the Radisson hotel across the street from the venue. USA Vans TM for the weekend Andy Zeiss is in the same room and we've been using "The Hangover" quotes to keep things fun. Nice! as Mike Tyson would say.
Fuzzy Hall got a wildcard to ride the Dirt prelims yesterday. He did not make the cut but looked good for sure. He's one of the original dirt jumpers, if not, THE first official dirt jumper BMX has ever seen. Anyone remember the BMX Plus coverage of Fuzzy in Vision Street Wear clothes? On Wednesday Fuzzy held a jam at his trails and loads of pro riders who were already in town showed up. Andrew Buckworth managed to win a 600 dollar watch that he was stoked about.
Talking about OG's, Dennis McCoy broke his hand last week riding a new concrete park in Kansas. He broke his hand and proved it by showing the actual X-ray on his iPhone. A little operation later he was back on the bike. Now please take note, Dennis is 42 years old, has nothing to prove, but is as hungry as he has ever been. Cast in the afternoon, tape at night and the vert prelims were on. But he scared everyone of us when he hung up sprocket on a big flair and landed on the flat bottom. You know Dennis doesn't give up quick but he did not ask for a Time out here and called it a day. Winner of the vert prelims was non other than Australian Vince Byron who also rode at the 2009 IBMXFF World's in Cologne. The level was high though.
Koji Kraft ripped it up on his new Hitman signature frame but just missed out on making a final spot. Somehow this always happens to Koji.
The top three in the Dew Tour Series automatically qualifies for the final event so we did not get to see the top dawgs ride in either vert or dirt. Tonight though as the Dirt finals are on the program for some good riding on the Fuzzy-built course. Once dirt is over they're going to plow the BMX dirt jumps and form an FMX course out of it for the weekend's program.
Dave Mirra is one of the pre-qualified riders who does not need to qualify as he's sitting in a joint-first place with Garrett Reynolds right now. Dave actually had a Rally event at this same weekend but obviously chose for the BMX event to try to defend his lead. At 35 he might even show you the brakeless frontflip on then box in the finals.
Practice has started across the street so you know where I'm going now. Instead of sitting in this hotel room I'm going to watch some good riding. Will shoot some pics that I'll get online at some point. Make sure to keep checking in.
Upcoming events. Make sure to submit yours:
2009/09/17 - Dew Tour round 4, Salt Lake City, USA.
2009/09/19 - Budget Jam 2009
2009/09/19 - Venice Beach Flatland Battle
2009/09/19 - Etnies BMX BOK
2009/09/23 - Interbike
2009/09/26 - Alley AM Jam
2009/09/26 - HiGH 5 - the Schickeria Contest
2009/10/02 - INTERNATIONAL OLD SKOOL of BMX REUNIE
2009/10/03 - REVOLCON BMX ROUND 4
2009/10/03 - Boicott Camping Jam
2009/10/15 - Dew Tour round 5, Orlando, Florida
2009/10/17 - T-Mobile Local Support Street Challenge
2009/10/24 - The Great Pumpkin Jam
2009/10/31 - Escondido BMX Contest
2009/10/31 - FreestyleFestival
2009/11/01 - FreestyleFestival
2009/11/28 - REVOLCON BMX ROUND 5
2010/01/09 - Flatland World Classic, Tokyo
2010/02/05 - Simpel Session 10
2010/05/10 - T-Mobile Local Support Street Challenge
-Have you checked the Bizznizz interviews with Shadow, wethepeople, Federal, SE, FBM, Leatt, MacNeil this week? Go to the Bizznizz section to read them. It's all about their 2010 product line and going to Interbike in Las Vegas next week.
-FAT FAVs this week came from: Brad Blanchard, Dennis Keunen, Asa, Flo Sailer, Mark Niesink, Alain Massabova, Roy van Kempen and Daniel Wijsmuller.
Way more on the site. With about 10-15 updates per day you know there is no time to blink. Trying to keep things going from the road here. See you in Vegas.
BDJ