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Participating in her 27th USA BMX Grand Nationals held every year over Thanksgiving, Willoughby won her 12th National Pro Title on Friday evening with her husband and coach, Sam Willoughby, beside her. Winning her first Pro Title in 2006 when she was 15, and now at 33 years old, Willoughby is the winningest BMX Racer in USA BMX history and the youngest and oldest win pro titles.

"Every year presents its opportunities and challenges, so each title and season has its chapter in my mind," Willoughby said about this year's title. "The 2024 USA BMX series title means a lot to me to achieve while wearing the world champion's jersey again; it's just the perfect way to cap off what's been a pretty successful season overall and end it on a high note. I've worked hard over the years to continuously elevate my racing to stay consistent in our 'young person's game,' so it's gratifying to use all those tools and experiences to meet the occasion and stay consistent over the course of my career. From being the youngest to now being the oldest professional woman to win the USA BMX Series Championship, I love challenging the status quo. I am thankful for all 12 of my USA BMX women's pro championship titles and the lessons each season has taught me along the way. Excited to see what we can do next year!" 

Results Lone Star National #2, Houston, TX. Saturday 11 February 2023.

Men Pro:
1 DIEGO ARBOLEDA, ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA
2 CORBEN SHARRAH, DAYLIGHT, TUCSON, AZ
3 KAMREN LARSEN, HARO BIKES, BAKERSFIELD, CA
4 JORIS DAUDET, CHASE / BRGSTORE.COM, FRANCE
5 STEFAN HEIL, PLOCHINGEN, GERMANY
6 IZAAC KENNEDY, CHASE / BRGSTORE.COM, BRISBANE, QLD, AUS
7 CAMERON WOOD, MONGOOSE BICYCLES, PHOENIX, AZ
8 NIEK KIMMANN, MEYBO, BOX, TLD, HETEREN, NETHERLANDS

Women Pro:
1 ALISE WILLOUGHBY, PROMAX/DAYLIGHT/TLD/IRC, CHULA VISTA, CA
2 FELICIA STANCIL, FACTORY SSQUARED, PALM HARBOR, FL
3 PAYTON RIDENOUR, MONGOOSE BICYCLES, TULSA, OK

At Box, we take pride not only in our products, but also in our exceptionally talented riders. For many years, we’ve had the honor of being able to work with BMX pros Alise Willoughby and Niek Kimmann, who have made names for themselves worldwide by virtue of their top tier racing abilities. It’s been a wild ride of hard work and determination for both of these elite racers, and in this article, we’re excited to show you just how far they’ve come.

Niek Kimmann was only 17 when we first noticed his desire to become a champion. Even from a young age, there was nothing more exciting than the idea of becoming a superstar athlete, just as his parents had. His mother was a horseback rider, and his father an ice skater. They loved the outdoors, and it seems they passed this passion on to their son. Growing up in Lutten, a small village in the Netherlands, Kimmann dedicated a lot of his time to playing various sports. He tried track and field, football, and other activities, but only found his true calling when his friends introduced him to BMX. From the moment he hopped on his bike at the local BMX track, it was love at first sight.

Niek’s career has had its share of struggles and successes, with many memories made along the way. But ultimately, he has accomplished what he had initially set out to do when he was just 17—becoming a champion. Along with his incredible achievement of becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist in 2021, here are some of his proudest moments:

Few athletes have built a dynasty of dominance quite like Alise has over her career. She has earned her spot as the winningest rider of all time in BMX racing and still maintains the aggressive edge that inspired her nickname - "the Beast".

Name: Alise Willoughby
Age: 30
Hometown: Saint Cloud, Minnesota, USA
Plate number: Current World #1, Career #11
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Promax, GW, Toyota, Xfinity, Troy Lee Designs, Klean Athlete, IRC Tire, HT Pedals, ODI Grips, Park Tool, Onyx Hubs, Box, KMC Chain, Oakley

---The FAT favorite list----

-Track: Pineview Park BMX with my favorite Track Operator (Dad!)
-Track to race on: Nashville / Shepparton
-Favourite Race: USA BMX Grands / Rock Hill Worlds
-Food: Anything off our Traeger… namely steaks and Jalepeńo poppers!
-Gym: Our Garage
-Person on Instagram: @BarstoolSports
-Travel destination: Australia
-People to ride with: Rarely ride anywhere without Lauren Reynolds!
-Trainer/Coach: My handsome hubby, Sam Willoughby

Name: Alise Willoughby
Sponsors: PROMAX, GW, TOYOTA, XFINITY, KLEAN ATHLETE, TROY LEE, IRC, ODI, HT, ONYX, PARK TOOL, BROSKI, KMC, OAKLEY, BOX
Mechanic: As a Park Tool Ambassador, I’m my own #truebluemechanic for the most part, but also get to work with some awesome friends on the World Cup circuit through USA Cycling.

When did you get picked up by GW?
Alise Willoughby: 2017

Can you tell a little about the GW brand?
Alise Willoughby: GW is a Colombian brand. I’m sure many people have seen the star Colombian BMX riders aboard these frames on their way to Olympic medals, but maybe aren’t aware of how large the brand is in South America across all disciplines ranging from very entry level products to the elite level. They have professional road teams, mountain bike riders, BMX race, freestyle, trials, balance bikes, commuter bikes, electric bikes, you name it… After Redline’s exit in 2016, it’s been a pleasure getting to work with another powerhouse bike brand that has welcomed me to their success-filled family.

The rider with the Red Numberplate is the leader of the UCI BMX SX World Cup. There are two plates in total. One for Women. One for Men. After the first two rounds of the UCI BMX SX World Cup Connor Fields and Alise Willoughby will be bringing the leader plates to Bathurst for UCI BMX SX World Cup rounds 3 and 4 next weekend 8 - 9 February 2020. The racing will continue in the 10-round series but getting the lead and running that plate certainly means something. Congrats to the American duo on running the series.

UCI BMX SX World Cup standings 2020 - after Stage 2:

Men:
1 Connor FIELDS (USA) 250
2 Anthony DEAN (AUS) 230
3 Niek KIMMANN (NED) 215
4 David GRAF (SUI) 190
5 Sylvain ANDRE (FRA) 170
6 Izaac KENNEDY (AUS) 170
7 Carlos Alberto RAMIREZ YEPES (COL) 165
8 Romain MAHIEU (FRA) 135

Race results 2019 Sunshine State Nationals Sarasota, Florida. Friday 18 October 2019.

Men Elite:

1 CONNOR FIELDS, CHASE BMX / ELEVN / IKON, HENDERSON, NV
2 JEREMY SMITH, CORSA/STAYSTRONG/AVIAN, DAYTON, OH
3 CORBEN SHARRAH, DAYLIGHT CYCLES, TUCSON, AZ
4 ANDERSON EZEQUI DE SOUZA FILHO, SPEED CO /AVENT/PROFILE, WINDERMERE, FL
5 JORIS DAUDET, CORONA, CA

Sunshine State Nationals October 12, 2018 - October 14, 2018 - Sarasota, FL., USA Friday's Pre-race results.

Women Elite:

1 ALISE WILLOUGHBY, FULL TILT, CHULA VISTA, CA

Pro results Gold Cup Finals - South West #1. Chula Vista, California. 8 September 2018.

Men Elite:
1 JARED GARCIA, 316 RACING, VICTORVILLE, CA
2 ANTHONY DEAN, CORONA, CA
3 CONNOR FIELDS, CHASE BMX/ELEVN RACING, HENDERSON, NV
4 CORBEN SHARRAH, DAYLIGHT CYCLES, TUCSON, AZ
5 SEAN GAIAN, FULL TILT, SANTEE, CA
6 KAI SAKAKIBARA, DK, HELENSBURGH, ACT