and keen to prove that they deserve to be their nation’s chosen riders when the Olympic teams are
nominated after the World Championships in Taiyuan in early June.
For Herman, to make a final and win from an outside lane was particularly exciting.
“I slammed my bike on the ground. I was really happy. There was some hugging. I gave Bubba Harris a hug as he made the semi which is good for him. We’re a cheerful group over here,” Herman said.
I am 19 and many people think I am heading for the next Olympics (London). That’s what people think I should be going for but I’m here and I’ve been working hard.”
The main reason I did so well was that I wasn’t expecting to do so well. I wasn’t nervous. I was the most nervous for my first moto and then I was relaxed.”
Surprisingly, Herman was the only USA rider to make the final even though fellow team-mate Donny Robinson claimed the fastest time trail.. Favourites, Robinson and Mike Day (USA) both failed to make the final.
Strombergs was a little disappointed with his second place but it was the Australian, Kamakazi, who received the applause from the large Adelaide crowd.
“I was pretty lucky to get to the final. This is only my second Supercross and first final so I’m thrilled,” smiled Kamakazi.
In the women’s race world number one rider Sarah Walker from New Zealand claimed victory. The 19 year old punched the air at the finish line after a fall in the first race of the day saw her avoid injury.
“I thought I would not be walking off the track after that but my day got better,” Walker said.
My gates hadn’t been good all day. I chose a wide lane and got a free run into the first corner.”
This World Cup Supercross was the first race of the season for the women.
“It has been a long time, I have ridden on this sort of track since our last Supercross in October last year,” pointed out Walker.
Second was the improving Arielle Martin from the United States while Canadian rider, Samantha Cools placed third. Australia’s National Champion, Tanya Bailey claimed fourth while team mate, Nicole Callisto finished a creditable seventh.
With the Australian riders backing up next week for the National Championships in Adelaide there is one final Supercross event before the UCI BMX World Championships which marks the end of the Olympic selection races.
Elite Men
1 80 HERMAN David USA 9 MAY 1988 30.446
2 151 STROMBERGS Maris LAT 10 MAR 1987 30.729 +0.283
3 454 KAMAKAZI AUS 3 AUG 1981 30.923 +0.477
4 12 PROKOP Michal CZE 1 APR 1981 31.116 +0.670
5 121 van der BIEZEN Raymon NED 14 JAN 1987 31.477 +1.031
6 17 MADILL Luke AUS 28 MAY 1980 31.651 +1.205
7 50 FALLA Emilio ECU 12 JUN 1986 31.936 +1.490
8 53 GRAVES Jared AUS 16 DEC 1982 36.400 +5.954
Elite Women
1 96 WALKER Sarah NZL 10 JUL 1988 34.653
2 15 MARTIN Arielle USA 30 JUL 1984 34.920 +0.267
3 56 COOLS Samantha CAN 3 MAR 1986 36.240 +1.587
4 17 BAILEY Tanya AUS 15 MAR 1981 36.781 +2.128
5 33 KINTNER Jill USA 24 OCT 1981 36.875 +2.222
6 31 GEVING Amanda USA 8 FEB 1989 37.193 +2.540
7 55 CALLISTO Nicole AUS 12 NOV 1987 39.299 +4.646
8 104 DIAZ Maria Gabriela ARG 2 JAN 1981 42.076 +7.423
USA youngster David Herman not only made his first final but won the UCI BMX World Cup Supercross in Adelaide. The 19 year old 'dark horse' of the strong American men’s team blitzed the field beating Latvian. Maris Strombergs. Third was Australian BMX Olympic hopeful, Kamakazi from Queensland. Fellow Australian finalists Luke Madill and Jared Graves finished sixth and eighth respectively. All top three riders were finalists for the first time 
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.