NBL Announces new classes and points for 2008

Hilliard, Ohio – September 14, 2007 – The National Bicycle League (NBL) announces several exciting modifications to the National class and point structure for the 2008 National BMX Racing season.

In response to the demand for a competitive 20” class for the 40-somethings, the NBL introduces a 41 & Over Novice and 41 & Over Expert class. A growing number of riders who raced in the late 70’s to early 90’s have been returning to their BMX roots and the NBL has responded to the need for a competitive bracket for these veterans of BMX. “There's a large group of riders between the ages of 35-39 who will be filling up these classes and we expect the Expert group to be very competitive at the National level,” said Bob Tedesco, NBL Managing Director. NBL continues to fully support the 30+ Masters class and future plans may even call for a 40+ Masters class. In the meantime, NBL plans to honor the past-champions of BMX by offering a ‘BMX Legends’ Open class at one of the 2008 Nationals.

The NBL has made additional modifications to the amateur novice and expert groups including the over-populated 17-24 class. The new class structure will provide a more balanced level of competition for all of the new groups. No changes were made to the younger age groups. The modified classes are as follows:
• Novice; 17-18, 19-25, 26-34, 35-40, 41 & Over
• Expert; 17-18, 19-25, 26-34, 35-40, 41 & Over

One minor adjustment was made to the Cruiser classes – the 50 & Over class will be offered at all local and National events and a 55 & Over Cruiser class will offered at the President’s Cup and the Grand National exclusively. View the 2008 classes here.

The NBL Elite Series, also known as the Road to Glory Series, has always been the premier Pro level of racing in the USA and for 2008, NBL will bring back the 17 & Over age requirement for both the Elite Men and Elite Women’s classes. The UCI Continental Series featuring Elite and Junior classes will now be run independently.. NBL will no longer offer the UCI-based Junior Men or Women’s 20” class and will retire both Elite Series Cruiser classes to focus more attention on the 20” groups. “The NBL Elite Series has always been popular with the athletes so we are investing more resources into the 20” classes to make them more competitive and ultimately, more lucrative” added Bob Tedesco. Additionally, the 16-29 and 30 & over Money Open classes will offer payouts exclusively at the Christmas Classic and NBL Grands. At all other national events, these classes will be run for regular awards of the day. Click here to see the complete set of 2008 classes.

The new National point structure, which essentially combines the ’06 and ’07 tables, promises to increase competition in the motos while providing large enough increments in the mains to allow riders the chance to move up rankings with good overall finishes. The new system will tighten the national points chase in all classes and reward riders who place well in the main events, which will ultimately add even more excitement to the 2008 NBL Grand National. Click here to view the 2008 points chart.

The new class and point structure will take effect starting with the Supercross National at Camp Woodward East. The Supercross National and the Northeast Regional Championship will be held at Camp Woodward East in Pa., from September 29-30. Get ready for an exciting year of NBL National racing!