Cools, seventh at the Olympic Games last year, where BMX made its official debut, dominated Sunday’s final for the victory. Danielle Brisson of Abbotsford, B.C., was second and Rosemary Adams of Surrey was third.
“I was able to put it all together in the final,” said Cools. “I knew if I had a good start I would be hard to catch. I just got stronger during the race. It’s the kind of race I wanted in my preparations for the world championships.”
All eyes were on Tory Nyhaug in the Junior Men’s race, currently sitting in 2nd overall in UCI World Cup points. Tory scored the top qualifying time on Friday and wowed the crowed on Sunday with his bmx prowess and sheer speed to take the gold. Erick Nicol of Alberta was second and Michael Beaudoin of Quebec was third. “I felt strong and consistent all day and
it went really well,” said Nyhaug, a BMX rider since age four. “We all had good starts in the final and it was really tight but I got through the first difficult section cleanly and that was the difference in the race.” In the Junior Women’s final, 16-year-old Amelia Walsh from Ontario, who had the best qualifying time on Friday, won all her motos but a stroke of bad luck in turn one sent her crashing down, giving Abby Graalman of Alberta the win. Brookelyn Wilkinson of BC was second and Sarah Biron of Quebec was third.
ELITE MEN
1. Scott Erwood - BC
2. Patrick Lebel - AB
3. Randall Neave - ON
4. Jim Brown - AB
5. Mischa Partridge - BC
6. Alex Brancier - ON
7. Mike Irwin - BC
8. Derek Sipkoi - ON
ELITE WOMEN
1. Sam Cools - AB
2. Danielle Brisson - BC
3. Rosemary Adams - BC
4. Kaila Sweeney - AB
5. Layne Nyhaug - BC
6. Micayla Gatto - AB
7. Jocelyn Rutko - AB
8. Pascale Rousseau- QC
JUNIOR MEN
1. Tory Nyhaug - BC
2. Erick Nicol - AB
3. Michael Beaudoin - QC
4. Cam Quennell - AB
5. Jean-Sebastien Houde - QC
6. Hugo Leduc-Benoit
7. Steve Creighton - BC
8. Nick Benetti - BC
JUNIOR WOMEN
1. Abby Graalman - AB
2. Brookelyn Wilkinson - BC
3. Sarah Biron - QC
4. Amelia Walsh - ON
By Sue Morrow
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.