After winning the last four UCI BMX Supercross World Cup time trial superfinals the pressure was on Fields, but he delivered in style.
“Liam was flying and he had the whole crowd behind him, but I came here to race and that’s what I did,” said Fields.
2008 Olympic silver medalist Mike Day (San Diego, Calif./GT Bicycles) finished seventh in the superfinal at 26.448 while Nic Long (Lakeside, Calif./Haro Bikes) and Corben Sharrah (Tucson, Ariz./GT Bicycles) also landed inside the top 10 for the U.S. In all, 11 U.S. elite men made it through to tomorrow’s main finishing inside the top 64 in the morning’s time trial.
Four elite women posted initial time trial runs in the top 16 to make it into the evening’s superfinal, but none were able to make it onto the podium. Recent Papendal Supercross World Cup winner Alise Post (Saint Cloud, Minn./Redline) finished in sixth with Brooke Crain (Visalia, Calif./Haro Bikes) just behind in seventh as six strong U.S. ladies look forward to tomorrow’s main event.
Lain van Ogle (Auburn, Wash.) missed a junior men’s time trial title by less than half a second, posting a 27.149 to Frenchman Romain Mahieu’s 26.796. Van Ogle settled for third and was the only American junior to finish in the top 16 and make it into the time trial superfinal. He will be joined tomorrow by six additional Americans in the junior men’s main.
Ten-time challenge class world champion Stancil did not disappoint in her world championship debut in the supercross arena; winning her first title as a junior elite on Friday. With a time of 29.850, Stancil’s run would nearly have landed her on the podium of the elite women’s event.
“This was my first year riding junior elites,” explained Stancil. “I just turned 17 this year, previously I was a challenge class rider. Worlds is the biggest race there is for me to do, since I’m not old enough for the Olympics, so it means the world to me. Most importantly it really boosts my confidence for tomorrow’s main.”
Eighteen-year-old Danielle George (Palmdale, Calif./Supercross BMX) also had a strong time trial superfinal run with a 30.727 in the junior elite division, just missing the podium in fourth.
Stephen Larralde (Riverside, Calif.) also added a challenge class world title for the U.S. on Friday with a victory in the 30+ men’s division.
Saturday’s action will culminate with the UCI BMX World Championships elite and junior elite main event beginning at 5 p.m. GMT. Challenge class competitions in the 15, 16 and masters divisions will also take place throughout the day.
Watch Saturday’s action live at www.redbull.com/bike. The UCI BMX World Championships will also be aired on the Universal Sports Network on June 18 at 5 p.m. E.T.
UCI BMX World Championships, Birmingham, U.K.
Elite and Junior Elite Time Trial
Elite Men Time Trial Superfinal
1. Connor Fields (Henderson, Nev./Chase BMX) 25.806
2. Liam Phillips (GBR) 26.178
3. Sylvain Andre (FRA) 26.261
7. Mike Day (San Diego, Calif./GT Bicycles) 26.448
9. Nic Long (Lakeside, Calif./Haro Bikes) 26.592
10. Corben Sharrah (Tucson, Ariz./GT Bicycles) 26.627
12. Barry Nobles (Menifee, Calif./DK Bicycles) 26.735
15. David Herman (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Free Agent-Rockstar) 26.973
Elite Women Time Trial Superfinal
1. Caroline Buchannan (AUS) 28.942
2. Shanaze Reade (GBR) 29.401
3. Eva Ailloud (FRA) 29.699
6. Alise Post (Saint Cloud, Minn./Redline) 30.013
7. Brooke Crain (Visalia, Calif./Haro Bikes) 30.022
11. Amanda Geving (Largo, Fla./MCS Bicycles) 30.196
13. Arielle Martin (Spanaway, Wash./Intense BMX) 30.355
Junior Men Time Trial Superfinal
1. Romain Mahieu (FRA) 26.796
2. Carlos Alberto Ramirez Yepez (COL) 27.87
3. Lain van Ogle (Auburn, Wash.) 27.149
Junior Women Time Trial Superfinal
1. Felicia Stancil (Lake Villa, Ill./Factory GT) 29.850
2. Nadja Pries (GER) 30.406
3. Simone Chritensen (DEN) 30.507
4. Danielle George (Palmdale, Calif./Supercross BMX) 30.727
Friday Challenge Class Finals - RESULTS
30 & over Men
1. Stephen Larralde (Riverside, Calif.)
2. Tyrone Johns (RSA)
3. Babor Deli (HUN)
6. Shan Hatfield (Acworth, Ga.)
Men 25 – 29
1. Niels Verrijt (NED)
2. Miks Pukitis (LAT)
3. Rick van den Dikkenberg
7. Kristopher Mulhause (Bakersfield, Calif.)