UCI World Cup BMX Supercross race report, Chula Vista, California. By BdJ

Sep 30, 2010

Written by Bart de Jong

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UCI’s third World Cup Supercross race of the year took place in Chula Vista, California. We’d arrived early to enjoy the full program. The Dutch crew rolled up first to get ready for warm up. The Time Trials had happend the previous day and World Champion Maris Strombergs had set the fastest time giving him first gate pick through his motos. First Dutch rider up was Raymon van der Biezen (6th) in the men’s class and Merle van Benthem (10th) in the women’s class. If you walk on a BMX SX track you realize that this is no joke. The first jump is a good 11 meters far. It’s a jump you hit with a speed of 50 km/h and 7 other riders by your side. If one of them loses control, things are likely you’re going down too. At this speed on a hard packed track, that’s not going to be fun. Merle van Benthem experienced just that. She went down hard on the first straight and the speed carried her up to the top of the second jump, unconcious. The Dutch rider had to be flown to the hospital by helicopter where they luckily couldn’t find anything else than the big concussion. Respect to all who go down that 8 meter high starting hill, welcome to BMX SX.

Supercross races are fun to watch. The time trials the day before decide which riders can ride on the main program the next day. When the fastest riders line up, you know it’s going to be on. Even the motos are exciting as there is no easy line up. The jumps and the speed plus the elbowing in turns offer good stuff for the eyes. The strongest four make it out of the motos straight into the quarter final (men) ot the semi final (women). In between the races there’s entertainment which this time came from the Voodoo Glow Skulls (BMX PUNX). Also an interview with Stephen Murray was done which touched a lot of people once again. Stephen was enjoying the race and the fact that a lot of his homies were there made it even better for him.

The Dutch National crew made it out of the motos. Grandpa with a total of 14 points which was one point less than Dutch “privateer” Martijn Jaspers who missed out on the second round. It’s a long way to go to ride 3 laps but it’s the experience that counts and he’ll be in the mix in Frejus, we’re sure. It’s now time for the Supercross track in Papendal to get finished so the Dutch riders don’t have to travel for 12 hours to see an actual SX track. By the way, new dirt was already waiting in a field next to the track at the OTC in Chula Vista. A replica of the London 2012 track is in the works for the Americans to train on. This time they’ll build it sideways so the wind won’t effect the riding as much.

Back to the quarter finals. 4 races of 8 with the best 4 going to the semis. Half the Dutch squad made it to the semis; Jelle van Gorkom (4th) and Sander Bisseling (4th). Robert “Afro Bob” de Wilde and suprisingly Raymon van der Biezen both got out with a 5th place. The racing is that close. With Martijn Scherpen, Rob van den Wildenberg and Ivo van der Putten out with injuries, scoring points for the Orange was in the hands of Bisseling and Van Gorkom. In the first semi Sander went down and missed out on another SX final. Jelle made it to his first final and was stoked.

When the gate dropped of the men’s final World Champion Maris Strombergs had some problems with the moisty starting hill, just like Afro Bob had in the quarters. When darkness sets in, the wooden starting hill has a hard time dealing with the power that the riders bring to the surface. The grip tape on top is just a little help to keep the riders from

spinning. Strombergs did not get the holeshot and also Nic Long faced some problems on the first straight. Marc Willers took off like a rider posessed. Was he going to live up to the #1 tattoo on his back this time? Not really, it was over in turn two for him as he was sent over the berm by a Frenchy. Strombergs and Sam Willoughby were getting the lead of the final. But an incredible high-low move by Nic Long in the last turn saw him in first place on the last straight. It’s hard to belive we saw this many changes in the leading position in one lap. Willoughby got 2nd and Strombergs 3rd. Jelle van Gorkom would have preferred a spot on the podium but a 4th place was a great result.

The women’s race was won by Laetitia Le Corguille. The French girl has won every Supercross race so far. It was less exciting than the men’s final but if you were French you enjoyed the 1 – 2 position anyway. Second place went to Magalie Pottier and third place was for American hopeful Alice Post who had to fight hard for that position as it got crowded around that third place spot plenty of times during the final.

With Merle van Benthem out in the semi finals the Dutch did not score too well here, but let’s hope that the upcoming race in Frejus will change that. It’s a bit of a drive, or a short flight, but more Dutch riders will line up on the gate there. We need those points to get as many riders as possible to the 2012 Olympics. Hup Holland Hup.

BdJ