started a few hours earlier which was a good thing because a lot of people had to make their trip back after the race to get back in time for work and school the next day. 
Lots of talk had been going on during the week about the track. The building crew received wet dirt to work with. Not the most perfect situation to build a BMX track, especially not these days where the participants expect a smooth and wide track that is rock hard. The track was compared by the Indoor Rijnhal track from 1984 but that was a bit exaggerated in my eyes. The racing in Belgium didn't seem to hurt all that much from the soft track. Lots of crashes took place in the first turn which makes me wonder if those slick tires t
hat are on nearly everyone's bikes were the best option for the Velofollies track. The race was held during a Cycling show which gave the people an option to walk through the isles if they wanted to. The stands at the race were packed all the time which gave it a warm feeling. With all the racers present, plus their parents and visitors, the noise went up as soon as something happened.
With countries having the support from their national cycling federations we saw a whole lot of trainers, coaches, mechanics, and sports doctors in the pits. Even coach Wade Bootes had brought a team from Australia just for this race to score a few extra UCI points. The Olympics are around the corner and the national BMX programs are on full force.
The Bensink gate dropped time after time. In the past the gates made a loud noise every time it hit the floor, but that sound is now gone. On Saturday Brian Kirkham (AUS) won the Elite Men class. He was the strongest rider out there. J
elle van Gorkom (NED) looked good too and got 2nd and the battle for third went to leader of the European series Edzus Treimanis (Lat). Shanaze Reade (GBR) doesn't like to be messed with and got out in front in the Elite Women final and held everyone off. If you want to pass the Brit, you need to have a good move because Shanaze is not afraid to use her elbows. Magalie Pottier (FRA) got 2nd and new member of the Dutch Army Laura Smulders (NED) got 3rd.On Sunday Brian Kirkham (AUS) won the main as well but this time it was Manon Valentino (FRA) who won the Elite women class. Round 7 & 8 of the Euros are in the pocket. On to the next race. Let's see who's looking strong heading towards the 2012 World Cups, World Championships and the London Games. We'll keep you posted.
BdJ
Round 7 Results
Elite men
1. Brian Kirkham
2. Jelle Van Gorkom
3. Edzus Treimanis
4. Sebastian Kartfjord
5. Jordy Van der Heijden
6. Morten Therkildsen
7. Arnaud Dubois
8. Martijn Jaspers
Elite women
1. Shanaze Reade
2. Magalie Pottier
3. Laura Smulders
4. Sandra Aleksejeva
5. Eva Ailloud
6. Jana Horakova
7. Romana Labounkova
8. Melinda McLeod
Junior men
1. Romain Mahieu
2. Antoine Dumain
3. Jérémy Rencurel
4. Vladislav Neyaskin
5. Loris Cret
6. Léopold Tramier
7. Maël Levay
8. Thomas Grassin
Junior women
1. Simone Christensen
2. Nadja Pries
3. Camille Maire
4. Elisabeth Navrestad
5. Natalia Suvorova
6. Floriane Brunel
7. Charlotte Green
8. Judy Baauw
Round 8 Results
Elite men
1. Brian Kirkham
2. Sylvain André
3. Moana Moo Caille
4. Jeffrey Hoogland
5. Martijn Jaspers
6. Pablo Galan Carrasco
7. Twan Van Gendt
8. Edzus Treimanis
Elite women
1. Manon Valentino
2. Shanaze Reade
3. Eva Ailloud
4. Laura Smulders
5. Lauren Reynolds
6. Jana Horakova
7. Maartje Hereijgers
8. Magalie Pottier
Junior men
1. Amidou Mir
2. Lauren Stevens
3. Roberts Barins
4. Jasper Peters
5. Jérémy Rencurel
6. Dan Pullen
7. Thomas Grassin
8. Antoine Dumain
1 CHRISTENSEN Simone T.
2 PRIES Nadja
3 BRUNEL Floriane
4 MAIRE Camille
5 NAVRESTAD Elisabeth
6 GREEN Charlotte
7 VEDDER Tamar
8 VRENEGOOR Danielle
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.