Auckland Championships Jan 30-31

The Papakura BMX club was the venue for the 2010 Auckland Championships, over the weekend of January 30th and 31st.

Record entries of around 500 had the club committee working extremely hard to ensure the event ran smoothly, and of course it went off without a hitch!

The first day dawned with clear blue skies and everybody was eagerly anticipating competing for $3000.00 in prize money over the weekend.

The riders were delighted to see a superbly prepared track with lots of coloured flags surrounding the track and new concept of spray painted advertising on the fronts and backs of the jumps, this made the track look great and by all comments was very well received

Apart from the usual age group events, Day 1 saw the conclusion of the Northern Region Race Series. This was a series raced over 5 tracks that started last year, the results were as follows:

CADETS

1ST Bailey Davis, Sunset Coast

2nd Zoe Fleming, Papakura REDMAN

3rd Zachary Kershaw, Papakra

ROOKIES

1st Ryan Berney, North Harbour

2nd James Nattrass, Papakura REDMAN

3rd Mitchell Wright, Papakura REDMAN

EXPERT

Michael Bias, North Harbour REDMAN

Andrew Bias, North Harbour

Bradley Gates, Waitakere

SUPER CLASS RESULTS DAY 1

 MALE 16+

1ST   Kurt Pickard - Tauranga

2ND Michael Williams- Papakura

3RD Kurt James - Cambridge

FEMALE 16 +

 1ST  Alexander Williams -Papakura

 2ND  Victoria Hill –New Plymouth

 3RD  Nicole Wright  -Papakura REDMAN

Sunday saw the club add 7 separate Super Class divisions, the results for Day 2 were:

Midgets

 1st  Bailey Davis  -Sunset coast

 2nd Liam Goodwin-  Kaiapoi

 3rd  Mark Harland Croft -Taupo

Junior

1st  Codi Merito, Te Awamutu

2nd James Natrass, Papakura REDMAN

3rd  Tau Edwards, Waitakere REDMAN

Intermediate

1st  Michael Bias, North Harbour REDMAN

2nd  Ryan Berney, North Harbour

3rd   Bradley Gates, Waitakere

Senior

1ST   Kurt Pickard  - Tauranga

2ND Michael Williams- Papakura

3RD Kurt James - Cambridge

Women 14+

1st  Sarah Walker, Rotorua

2nd Victoria Hill, New Plymouth

3RD Alexander Williams, Papakura

 30+ Mens Cruiser

1st   Richard McLachlan, Papakura

2nd  Steven Schimanski, Hawera

3rd  Paul Luttrell, Hamilton

30+ Womens Cruiser

1st   Jennifer Strachan,  Te Kuiti

2nd  Sandra Bromwich,  Cambridge

3rd   Roanne Gordon, Papakura

 This created some of the best racing seen at a BMX meeting for a long time and was thoroughly enjoyed by both the competitors and the spectators alike.

The Papakura BMX Club and all of the riders are to be congratulated on a superb weekend of closely fought competition right across both days!  

North Island Champs Report

Daniel Franks

Redman Reign Supreme!

Factory Team winners for 3rd year running

Redman factory have done it again!  Factory Team winners at the North Island Titles for the 3rd consecutive year running.

Team points are taken on the riders finals points only, so not only do these riders have to make their finals, they also need to win them! 

With such great depth within our Redman ranks, it was difficult to select riders to represent at the Cambridge track. 

This years star studded team put on a great effort of speed, skill, style and sportsmanship, with all riders transferring through to their finals effortlessly.

Results were:

Rico Bearman 1st

Tau Edwards 1st

Tia Hastings-Thurgood 1st,

Tahlia Hansen 1st

Josh Hearle 4th

Special congratulations to Tau and Tahlia for consistantly producing great results that saw them selected in both 2008 and 2009 teams. 

Team po

Redman Riders North Isalnd Titles results

Two "full on" days of action packed racing saw our riders rise to the occasion with some achieving their personal bests.  Our younger crew raced some exciting races, and never let the team down. 

Our older Factory guys were out on the big pro section for the first time in their racing career, and after a few practices seemed to have it dialled in OK.  Nick Fox had a good start to the event, but

Daniel Franks proved too strong and the one to beat.

Daniel took out day one of the Jnr Elite, much to the delight of the crowd in awe of his jumping abilities.  You could see each time he came in from a moto, he was loving every minute of it.  He is one to watch for sure!

The most exciting younger rider to watch would have been Tau Edwards, who grew so much over the weekend, even attacking jumps that riders in age groups above couldn't handle.  Tau did them with ease, and in doing so, took out double titles in 10 boys expert and cruiser class.

The 12 year girls class was a battle between team mates Abby Fox and Tahlia Hansen, with Tahlia taking the title again.

The Mighty Elevens girls class was won by our own Redman rider Zoe Fleming, who beat off some stiff competition from the Aussie female riders to claim the trophy, well done Zoe!

Team results:

1st Rico Bearman (6 boys)

1st Tia Hastings Thurgood (6 girls)

1st Ella Hansen (7 girls)

1st Tau Edwards (10 boys)

1st Tau Edwards (8-10 cr))

1st Tahlia Hansen (12 girls)

1st Nick Fox ( Jnr Cr)

2nd Zoe Fleming (11 girls)

2nd Trent Jones (15 boys)

2nd Abby Fox (12 girls)

2nd Cailen Calkin (8 boys)

3rd Mitchell Wright (13 boys)

3rd Rico D'Anvers (8 boys)

3rd Jayden Fleming (10 boys)

3rd Jendi Frank (10 girls)

3rd James Nattrass ( 11-12 cr)

4th Josh Hearle (7 boys)

4th Ronan Miller (7 boys)

4th Chelsea Hearle (10 girls)

4th Nicole Wright (15 girls)

5th Mikayla Bearman (8 girls)

Congratulations to all our riders!

Next team outing for the whole team is Taupo, 14th November.

Photos thanks to :

www.clintontudor.com

Ian Bias, and Chris Nattrass

XBR Test Teams racing - NZ v Australia

October 24 & 25th, Cambridge, NZ

It's always some of the toughest racing on the NZ race Calendar, and this year was going to be no diferent.  The NZ Womens team drew outside of the 2 fastest Aussie girls in the first  moto, who shot away tograb the early lead on the points table of 27 to our 12 points.  The best race was the last, where Nicole Wright got a great gate and lead Chelsea King till the last corner, they battled out right down the finish line where Chelsea took the win for Australia.  She was followed by Nicole, then NZ, NZ and Aussie,..but sadly it wasnt enough points to get to the lead, and the Australian girls won, points were: AUS 107 NZ 88.

Sadly the Mens team feared no better, with the Aussies setting out to a commanding lead which the Kiwi's couldnt peg back.  Again, the best race would have had to have been the final, where Michael Bias came through the pack from behind, and caught up with Kyle Huges, lent on him into the last corner which saw them both on the ground, and the crowd going wild!  Final results were: AUS: 123 NZ 72

Such a fantastic weekend of racing, with new friendships made and lots of stories to be told.

We congratulate the Aussie Teams and Gavin D for all his assistance and enthusiasm, and we now look forward to Rotorua in 2010.

photos by Clinton Tudor  - www.clintontudor.com

NZ BMX Test Teams Training Camp

  Oct 17th & 18th - Cambridge

It was a busy weekend for squad members of the BMX NZ Test Teams, as they prepare themselves for the Trans-Tasman Test Series next weekend at the Cambridge BMX Track. 

Saturday was a glorious summers day, which saw the Seniors get stuck into their work and really gel together as a team unit. 

Gates and first two straights were order of the day, and thanks to help from Sarah Walker and Malcolm McOnie, everyone improved as the sun streamed down!

That evening everyone went to a great BBQ dinner hosted by David and Christine Lewis. (Ryans folks)

Sunday saw the inclusion of the Junior Team members. They were put through their paces and were looking faaaassst!

So roll on Labour Weekend, and bring on lots more fine weather!  Some of the best racing of the whole season will be happening in Cambridge, be sure not to miss it!

A big thanks to all the families who are assiting these riders, your encouragement and positive support is why these riders are where they are today........and having the best time of their lives!

Teams selected to Represent NZ to race Australia at the North Island Titles, hosted by the Waikato Region, at the Cambridge BMX Track, 24th and 25th Otcober 2009.

Senior Men

Bradley Gates (15) Waitakere

Ryan Lewis (14) Te Awamutu

Michael Bias (15) North Harbour - REDMAN

Matthew Tew (14) Rotorua

Senior Women

Monique Smith (14) Gisborne

Nicole Wright (15) Papakura - REDMAN

Hannah Sarten (13) New Plymouth

Nicole Eady (15) Whangarei

Mighty 11

Bayleigh Rees (Cpt) Sunset Coast

Carlos Kershaw, Papakura
Marc Edwards, Waitakere  - REDMAN

Joshua Smith, Te Awamutu

Hamish Burrow, Dunedin

Mighty 11 Girls Scholarship

Rebecca Petch, Te Awamutu

Zoe Fleming , Papakura  - REDMAN

Congratulations to all our Redman riders, you were all awesome.  

Bring on the North Island Titles and some great Trans-Tasman Test Team racing!

Leatt® Brace  - The Helmet for your Neck

            Protect yourself with Leatt Neck Braces

Without a doubt the most talked about piece of BMX equipment this year, the Leatt Neck Brace is designed to protect the neck and spinal column from direct impact to the head. With spinal cord injuries becoming increasingly more common, and lack of equipment available to help protect riders, the Leatt Neck Brace fills the void.

The brace is quickly endorsed by some of the biggest names in BMX racing. As riders began to test the new product, what they found is that the shape and weight of the brace did not affect their comfort level, or restrict movement. In fact, most top riders agree that after a brief period of getting used to the brace, they hardly realize they are wearing it.

The Leatt® Brace is an injection molded, glass reinforced nylon,  neck brace system, designed by medical professionals and motorcycle enthusiasts to help prevent the following extreme movements:              

• head, foward                                      -               HyperFlexion
• head, rearward                                  -               HyperExtension
• head, sideways                                  -               Lateral  HyperFlexion
• spinal column compression               -              
• Axial loading, due to the effect of force on the helmet
• head/helmet, rearward on the neck     -               Posterior HyperTranslation

The design rationale behind the Leatt-Brace(R) is to bring the head to a controlled stop. This is achieved by providing a padded rigid structure that acts as an alternate load path for neck forces. Helmet impacts otherwise transmitted from the helmet to skull and then to the neck are re-directed from the helmet to the brace to other body structures in a safe way.
The design of the Leatt® Brace prevents the helmet/head from projecting over the brace and therefore prevents a fulcrum action, which has been documented in literature pertaining to the use of collar devices. It works with most types of body armor and chest protectors. 

• ild)

• Neck safety is not a luxury, it's a necessity.  
• Order yours through our website today - you can contact us on our "frames" page.  
• For more information , please go to:
• www.leatt-brace.com
•     Posterior HyperTranslation

ANOTHER world champion has been added to Gisborne’s rich sporting history after teenager Nick Fox’s age group victory at the world BMX championships in Adelaide.

Nick was back to school this morning still buzzing from his win in the 15-16 years boys’ cruiser class at the UCI worlds held at the Adelaide Showground indoor facility.

The Fox family were almost celebrating a world title double after Nick’s younger sister Abi finished second in the 12 years girls 20-inch division last week.

Gisborne Boys’ High School student Nick went from agony to ecstasy with his victory. Last week he crashed out in the eights stage of the carnage-filled 15yrs boys 20-inch class after looking a strong prospect for a medal.

He was desperate to make up for it in the cruiser class but must have thought the gods were against him when he crashed in his first of three qualifying races. He came back with a first and second in the other races, won his quarterfinal and was second in his semifinal.

The final was an almost flawless performance.He got the lead into the first turn and powered away from a classy international field.
Nick described the feeling as relief more than jubilation as he crossed the finish line, where he received a kiss from New Zealand’s double world champion and Olympian Sarah Walker. “I was just so stoked to be in the final,” said Nick.
Nick’s parents David — who made the quarterfinals in the 45yrs plus cruiser class at the worlds — and Caroline were on hand to watch their children’s outstanding performances. Proud mum described the feeling as “total euphoria”.  “Nick rode out of his skin,” she said.

Nick is a member of the BMX high performance squad — a group of riders recognised as being future Olympians. He put in a huge amount of work in the build-up to the worlds and the title was the ultimate reward.

At age 12, Tahlia Hansen of Canterbury is already a world BMX champion and is pedalling toward an even bigger dream - the Olympics.

Tahlia has plenty of support from her Rangiora family.

Besides parents John and Sharlene screaming in the stands, seven-year-old sister Ella was third in her age group at the world BMX championships in Adelaide, where brothers Troy, 19, and Jamie, 15, also competed.

Tahlia got a hug from New Zealand BMX Olympian Sarah Walker after taking out the 12-year-old girls final last Friday.

Walker won the women's world final at the weekend.

"My dream is to go to an Olympics," Tahlia said from Adelaide last night.

She won all three qualifying rounds and the semifinal before lining up against seven competitors in the final.

After a nervous start in which she nearly crashed on the first two jumps, Tahlia said she "cranked it" around the first corner and led to the finish.

She beat another New Zealander, Abigail Fox of Gisborne into second, with Emma Gates, from Waitakere, fourth.

Tahlia first got on a BMX bike at the age of five: "It was just watching my brothers ride and then I decided I wanted to."

She has been a New Zealand age-group champion for the past four years.

Her mother, Sharlene, said that apart from her natural talent Tahlia had become stronger by competing against boys.

The Ashgrove School pupil practised every day at the Rangiora BMX Club leading up to the championships.

Sharlene said cycling had been a long family tradition

Her grandfather had been a road cyclist, and husband John raced BMX bikes in the 1980s. band John raced BMX bikes in the 1980s.

Meet the Youngest BMX World Champion

  RICO BEARMAN

SSix-year-old BMX world champ Rico Bearman is the hottest thing in New Zealand sport.

While most children his age are dreaming of getting rid of their training wheels, the 115cm Albany prodigy already has his eyes on Olympic stardom after winning BMX world championship gold in Adelaide.

And he’s already a hit with the ladies.

"Some of the girls at school chase me. It’s annoying," says the Oteha Valley pupil.

"I did have a girlfriend but it was for less than a day. She’s still five," he says.

Rico has been on two wheels since his third birthday.

Despite winning the national age group title for the past two years Rico was surprised to come out on top of the world in the five-six year category, four days before his sixth birthday on July 31.

"I didn’t expect it but it’s cool to be world champion," he says.

Mother Deane says she and husband Gordon were criticised for taking Rico to the world event.

"People said we were crazy to take a five-year-old boy to a world championship," she says.  "They said he shouldn’t be competing at such a young age but after winning the same people want to claim him as their little rider.

"He’s not like other kids, he doesn’t really watch television that often and he doesn’t like fast food. He just wants to go out and ride his bike."

Deane says there aren’t many opportunities for such young riders.  "In New Zealand he’s not allowed to compete against riders older than him, he wipes the floor with everyone his age so how is he meant to improve?

And BMX may not be the only option for talented Rico.

"I’d like to be a soccer player, like Wayne Rooney," says the Manchester United fan.

"You earn more money in soccer."

UCI BMX World Championsips

- Adelaide 09

Following on from their highly successful NZ National Championship campaign, where they scooped up 7 NZ #1 titles, the team were focused on achieving great things at the upcoming World Champs.  They had their best year yet, gaining 3 W#1 Titles, and another 9 finals placings.

They also came second in the Trade Teams competition, behind USA Phantom/Ontrac team and just in front of the man himself, Mike Redman’s, Redman Bikes USA team.

Manager Geoff Wright ; ” We are so thrilled with their performances, this talented group of riders has come such a long way on the world stage in such a short amount of time. Every rider gives us 100% and you can’t ask for more than that.  We are very proud of them, and look forward to the new season fast approaching us”.

Results:

World # 1 - Rico Bearman (5-6 boys)
World # 1 - Tahlia Hansen (12 girls)
World #1 - Nick Fox (15-16 CR)
W 2 - Abby Fox (12 Girls)
W 3 - Tau Edwards (10 boys)
W 5 - Zoe Fleming (11 Girls)
W 5 - Josh Hearle (7 boys)
W 5 - Mikayla Bearman (8 girls)
W 6 - Nicole Wright (15 girls)
W 6 - Daniel Franks (16 boys)
W 7 - Tia Hastings-Thurgood (5-7 girls)
W 8 - Abby Fox (12 girls cr)

Trade Team results (12 teams entered)
1st - USA Phantom Ontrac (365 points)
2nd - REDMAN NEW ZEALAND (332 points)
3rd - REDMAN BIKES USA (328 points)
4th - Crupi Europe 1 (314 points)
5th - Crupi Europe 2 (305 points) 

(inset photo - Tau Edwards)

Thanks to the great team at the Skins headquaters, our team have been outfitted in the latest Skins™.

Our riders all loved their Skins™, they were so comfy to wear and everyone from our youngest aged 5yrs was able to be fitted out.

They all found they had more energy and were able to recover quicker.

Skins™ rules the world in gradient compression performance equipment. Skins™ are worn by professional athletes and active consumers worldwide. Skins™ BioAcceleration Technology™ will enhance your performance in training, competition & recovery and give you an edge over your competition. This makes Skins™ Gradient Compression clothing ideal for any sporting activity - ..

....and yes we think their cycling tights rule.

The New Zealand BMX National Championships 2009 were an outstanding success for Redman riders, who won 7 National Championship Age group Titles over the three day event. On top of this they also claimed 19 finals placings. 

Held in Whangarei on their new track built by Tom Ritzenthaler, the event attracted 835 entries and hundreds of spectators.

There were many great moments, .....

Our youngest star Rico Bearman (6 boys) fell off in one moto, and still managed to climb back on and win! The huge crowd got right behind him cheering him along as he pulled the feild back in, and he finally hit the lead after a trademark "Rico Corner" on the last saw him with his nose in front, and he was away to the line at full speed.  Aparently the announcer owes this little Champion an ice cream? Especially now he is NZ 1 for the second year running!

Brothers Tau and Marc Edwards showed everyone how to handle this world class track with a fantastic display of jumping and manualling, they looked like a couple of Pros' even though it was there very first Nationals. Tau won his age, and Marc took 3rd. Congratulations for a fantasitc effort by these determined guys to go out hard and bring in the results at their very first Nationals....these guys are true Champions in the making, at times they made their racing look so effortless. 

Young Josh Hearle (7 boys) won all his motos, and his final, in between coming back to base for bacon and egg burgers!! We just don't know how de does it...it sure takes alot to feed this Champion!

Tahlia Hansen (12 girls) proved she can continue to amaze after scooping up her 4th consecutive NZ 1 Title, and also by winning a scholarship to travel to Australia to race in June with the Mighty Elevens team.

Jendi Frank (10 girls) showed us all that after a not so great gate start in her final, which helped her miss an accident down the first straight, she came powering through to win her final and her first NZ 1 Title at her second Nationals. Well done Jendi!

One of the toughest age groups would have been the 15 year girls. With 3 of these riders already world ranked, and another was a force to be reckoned with on her new Redman on her home track! But following on from her strong performance taking out the Pre Nationals the week before, Nicole Wright showed her strength and sheer determination to win the title in a closely fought battle right to the finish line.

Trent Jones (15 boys) also had an outstanding weekend, and overcame tough competition from fellow team rider Michael Bias to claim a"one, two" for Redman!

Results:

NZ 1  Rico Bearman (6 boys)

NZ 1 Josh Hearle (7 boys)

NZ 1 Jendi Frank (10 girls)

NZ 1 Tau Edwards (10 boys)

NZ 1 Tahlia Hansen (12 girls)

NZ 1 Nicole Wright (15 girls)

NZ 1 Trent Jones (15 boys)

NZ 2 Michael Bias (15 boys)

NZ 2 Mikayla Bearman (8 girls)

NZ 2 Nick Fox (24")

NZ 2 Nicole Wright (24")

NZ 3 Rico D'Anvers (8 boys)

NZ 3 James Nattrass (12 boys)

NZ 3 Marc Edwards (11 boys)

NZ 3 Nick Fox (16 boys)

NZ 4 Daniel Franks (16 boys)

NZ 4 James Nattrass (24")

NZ 4 Michael Bias (24")

NZ 5 Patrick McKee (14 boys)

NZ 5 Daniel Franks (24")

NZ 6 Andrew Bias ( 24")

NZ 6 Tony Wilcock - Elite Men

NZ 6 Tony Wilcok - Superclass

NZ 7 Andrew Bias (16 boys)

NZ 7 Andrew Bias (24")

NZ 8 Mitchell Wright (24")

Special thanks to all the parents who assisted over the weekend with setup, catering, photography, and keeping the riders focused. Without your support we would not be able to attain these great results, and help these riders reach their goals.

Look out World....here come REDMAN !!

Held over the holdiay break, the South Island Titles is the major event for all BMX mainlanders, and is also a permanent fixture in many North Island family race diaries.

Held in Jan, the weather is always nice and fine, providing great race conditions.  Here is Trent Jones report from this meeting:

"South Island Titles were awesome.  Race conditions couldn't have been better with no wind and no rain! 

On Saturday it was the pre souths and I was racing in elite men.

My only problem with that was the older dudes keep on passing me down the last straight. Mainly cause the track was flat the whole way so there was no jumps to slow them down.
On Sunday I raced two classes 15 boys and open age

super class . 

I took out the 15 boys class comfortably, but the big win this weekend was the $300 pay check that came with winning open superclass!!"

Sport Gisbornes initiative aimed at recognising young sporting talent has inducted Nick Fox into its Tairwhiti Rising Legends programme. 

The programme aims to assist talented athletes in fulfilling their potential and gaining higher honours. Tairawhiti Rising Legends will utilise Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti management, the backing of the Gisborne corporate sector, and an advisory group made up of Cory Hutchings, Leigh Gibbs, Grant Bramwell, Raipoia Brightwell and Sue Croskery.

They will assist the selected aspiring elite both financially and developmentally via mentoring, development workshops and a $1000 scholarship for 2009.

The athletes will benefit from workshops including nutrition, psychology, strength, conditioning, and dealing with the media. These sessions will also cater for the coaches of selected athletes.

Much of the value of the initiative will come from New Zealand Academy of Sport through utilising the same experts that work with New Zealand's sporting elite. 

Congratulations Nick!

Held every four years, the same year as the Olympics are on, college students from all over New Zealand gather to compete against each other for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. 

Hamilton was the host city,  during 10 - 14 December, where 3000 athletes competed in 20 different sports. The BMX is held over one day, however the entire games are run just as you would expect an olypmic event to be run, complete with an opening and closing ceremony, and after party.

A fantastic effort by Nick Fox, saw him make the podium twice, with two outstanding rides in his finals:

Redman riders results:

Nick Fox : Gold ( 15 boys, 20")

                  Silver ( under 16 male cruiser)

Nicole Wright: Silver ( girls cruiser)

Michael Bias:  Bronze ( 14 boys)

Andrew Bias: Bronze ( under 16 male cruiser)

Photo insert : Nick Fox and Andrew Bias leading the way