Vote Today – Top Ten!

“So, on the eve of this nations political main event, we thought it might be good to catch you up on the major happenings during our hiatus, a State of the Union so-to say of bicycle motocross. So with due credit to Dave Letterman, TRL, Keith Olberman, and SportsCenter, here are bmxnews.coms ten most significant stories during the sites downtime, countdown style”"10. Nothin a month: Industry support is at an all time low. Since we last convened, Giant has abandoned their race program in favor of NBA halftime shows, legendary stalwart Diamondback has only a token effort, and Huffy has filed bankruptcy. On the bright side Pacific Cycles has brought GT and Schwinns name back from the scrap heap supporting athletes and the sanctions along the way 9. Crupi gets it right: After being a me-too company with a useless 15 rider am team for years, Crupi finally figured out a formula that works for them. Hiring Jason Richardson and Cristian Becerine looks like a genius move a year into the program with JR in it to the end NBL side, and Cristian the undoubted king of Open. By the way, Crupi is selling a few frames for their troubles. Big props. 8. Transworld BMX folds: While it was by no means SNAP, TW was BMX racings best foot forward as far as print media went. The decision this past month to shut the mag down leaves pros pointing for pubic hair sized logos in the BMXer for their photo contingencies. 7. Web wars: By no means trying to break an arm patting ourselves on the back, but bmxnews.com was instrumental in the newfound technological landscape for athletes and information. Websites range from the vain (Toddlyons.com) to mundane (BMXmania.com) to the insane (vintagebmx.com). If you want to know what your favorite pro had for breakfast, what place Willy Makeit got in 7 Nov for the Wulfsport team, or what a pair of yellow Comp II tires cost on e-bay, it is there for you on the old information superhighway. 6. NBL Randy breaks through, Kyle gets even: It is amazing, but not one but two NBL titles have been decided in our absence. Randy Stumpfhauser finally got the elusive NBL title he sought for so many years after a second turn crash in the rain eliminated defending #1 Kyle Bennett. Kyle got his revenge though, coming from the underdog position to take the 04 crown ahead of Warwick Stevenson and Jason Richardson. Racing at its finest. 5. ABA=Absent BMXer Association? If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? Fact is, the 04 ABA national year may go down as the least supported schedule ever in pro racing. Most nationals have had two less than full gates, sometimes one: with only two in the last four months creating semis. Memo to our buddies in Chandler: Raleigh was three years ago, get over yourselves. 4. Warwick comes correct: I am absolutely not being sarcastic here. This is truly notable because it allowed Warwick to leave the three rider races in Minnesota behind, pack his bags and not worry about being let back into the country. It also dispelled all nay Sayers who thought he couldnt contend, UCIs World Championship and NBLs regular season win leader, Warwick has become the man to beat at the big races. Is Bubba leaving the nest next? 3. BMX Racing dropped from X Games: This one was inevititable. What do you get when you mix finely tuned world-class athletes with pot smoking, glory hogging stuntmen. The answer, nothing because you move their event 100 miles into the Styx- where even the staunchest supporter needs a GPS to find it. Thanks for the memories ESPN. 2. BMX named Olympic Sport: One door closes (see #3), another opens. This has nightmare written all over it. The world will get to see first hand if BMX racers can play nice with another eclectic group. Lets hope our 15 minutes of fame doesnt end someone on the police blotter or nightly news. Are you listening Wade? 1. Mike Gul retires Because we need to know!”