with our early season surge and many of our long-term venues are also experiencing significant increases."
In addition to last weekend's increase in Redmond, the weekend before saw a 16.47% increase in Powder Springs, Georgia. The Super Nationals in DeSoto, Texas saw an 11.08%, and the Winter Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona in early March boasted a 46.08% increase. At only eight races in to the 30-stop USA BMX National series, these early-2013 numbers seem to be a good indicator of what's to come. The future continues to look bright for the growing family sport of USA BMX. The next stop on the calendar is the Cajun Nationals - in Monroe, Louisiana; indoors at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center, before we start visiting many of our traditional outdoor venues around the United States and Canada. "We have some incredible venues and great locations on this years' schedule," said David, "and we are already excited about putting together a solid schedule for 2014."
Battles are heating up for the seven USA BMX NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Willoughby on a hot streak * VanOgle already in the 1,700 point range
PRO: Anyone who knows last years' National No.1 Champion and Olympic Bronze medalist well, will attest to the fact that Redline's SAM WILLOUGHBY hates getting 2nd place. After kicking off the USA BMX Pro Series with a 2nd place on the first day of the Winternationals - Sam has been on a 5-race win streak. A win on Sunday in Phoenix, followed up by wins both days in Florida and Texas has put the defending title holder back in the lead of USA BMX pro standings. But U.S. Olympians NIC LONG (Haro) and CONNOR FIELDS (Chase) are both nipping at Sam's heels like a rabid pitbull. The Pros next show-down will be in Charlotte, NC - for the TAR HEEL NATLS on May 11 & 12.
AMATEUR: 15 year old Illinois native RYAN ZINZOW got off to a great start and was holding the Amateur points lead with 9 out of 10 wins at the first five races of the year. But after big-score 17-18x wins in DeSoto's Super Nationals, Washington's LAIN VanOGLE (Phoenix Factory) has taken the lead by stepping in to the rare 1,700-point zone. Past history has shown that most riders who have scored over 1,700 point have gone on to become National No.1 Amateur. With 1,701 points already, VanOgle could very well hold the No.1 position all the way up to November, when the titles are decided at The Grands. 
PRO WOMEN: Compared to the past four years, the Pro ladies has not yet seen one definite dominator, and the tight points chase confirms that it's still anybody's race. So far, defending No.1 champ DOMINIQUE DANIELS (Speedco) has scored a win, Aussie transplant CAROLINE BUCHANAN (Dk Bicycles) has won one, and last year's Olympic gold medalist MARIANA PAJON (Dan's Comp) has won twice. But it is Redline's ALISE POST and her consistent finishes and three wins that has put her atop of the points chase. This Championship is looking to be one of the best in years and will no doubt come down to the Grands in Tulsa this November. VET PRO: For the past couple of years, the Vet ranks have become a 3-way race for the win, points and No.1 Cup - between Argentinian transplants CRISTIAN BECERINE (FreeAgent) and JAVIER COLOMBO (SE Racing) and hunky American movie actor MATT POHLKAMP (Dan's Comp). Between these three guys, they've won virtually every Vet main, and the only one who hasn't ever slapped a No.1 Vet Pro numberplate on their bike is Colombo. But that could very well change this year -- as Javi has been on a mission to claim what could've been his the past two years. Will this be his season?
It's still a tight race though, and even Oregon's ADAM TREADWELL has thrown his hat in the ring for a run at the title.
GIRLS: After a controversial disqualification in Phoenix, for cutting over within the 30-foot rule, Phoenix's KELSEY VanOGLE (also known as Lain's younger sister) is sitting in the No.2 points spot. That leaves Miss.Consistent - 13 year old ANNA JOHNSON, racing for Crupi Parts out of Texas, in the points lead after the first quarter of the year. With a narrow lead, the chase for the No.1 Girls title is always a close one, and we'd expect to see 3rd-seeded SHALEN RENO (Hyper) and 4th-ranked FELICIA STANCIL (GT) step things up in the 17-20 year old ranks.
To stay on top of USA BMX National points rankings, be sure to visit our Points pages @ usabmx.com/points
To get more information on USA BMX, visit our website: usabmx.com.
Pics by USABMX.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.