Becerine Bests 55 Elites In Full Workday

Today’s race could best be described as “sharp.” Not only were the motos ticked off at a healthy 100-105 moto per hour clip, but the race began and ended “on the sharps.” At no earlier, no later, than 11:30 AM, the first gate was dropped…and the final main crossed the line at, literally 7:59PM…so yes, it was a full workday (including a regulation-though imaginary-30-minute lunch) for 274 motos worth of riders.

View the Saturday Photo Gallery

ABA Winternats: Talent Zooms as Storms Loom

On the heels of yesterdays post, where we talked about the events leading up to the big day, today was akin to the moments just after the Space Shuttle lights ‘em up and begins to shake, rattle and roll up the tower. Not quite calling “Liftoff” just yet, the 2010 ABA Winternationals held its organized practice and pre-race today. And not unlike the stars arriving 300 miles away in Hollywood, a constellation of BMX stars unlike any other this year has turned out to uphold the long-standing tradition that holds “it ain’t a season until the Winters.”

In addition to top-hand American elites, Phoenix is playing host to contingents from the Netherlands, the UK, South Africa, France, Japan and even a Canadian or three. Mike Fields made a great point in his Vintage post earlier this evening when he noted that the pro turnout was thick enough to cause a 15-minute delay in getting through staging to get another gate in practice. Granted, it was mingled in with JR. Devo types, but still… Also on hand are a slew of dirt jumper stars who trekked down in the Vans rig. .

Mike Day and Khalen Young are in town—two blokes we have not yet seen in the new decade. Check out the newest episode of the Announcers Tower Podcast where Mike talks about his ongoing back injury, and long-term plans for London 2012.

GT and Free Agent are suited up in new jerseys, making it extra fun to try and pick them out of the crowd. Known no-shows thus far include Injured-reservists David Herman (nursing a hip fracture), and Jason Rogers.

A healthy 97 motos in the pre-race today, which Mike Fields says foretells a 280+ moto Saturday (I think the formula is suspended for this race, due to “special circumstances” of added foriegn participation and everyone wanting to escape colder days in their zip code (present company included).

No GO211 this weekend in Phoenix, so you’re going to have to kick it mid-school and get your news from us. We will be posting nightly updates here, as well as photo galleries on BMXNOW.COM. Also, follow BMXNOW on twitter for as-they-happen-updates from the infield. Speaking of the infield, there is an 80% chance of rain Sunday, so providing there IS an infield and a place to stand, we’ll be reporting from there Sunday as well. There was talk of the weather, but it did nothing to dampen spirits in the pits.

Photos will be posted by lights out both days. Speaking of photos, here is an appetizer course of photo-ala-moto from Friday’s pit stroll and pro practice. Enjoy!

Curtain Up on Winter Nats as Sun Goes Down

If you have never rolled into town for a big national on Thursday, you need to do that sometime. The energy of roadies readying a rock concert, crossed with the circus being in town, coupled with a tent revival would just about equal the vibe around Black Mountain BMX today. A steady, red-carpet-like arrival of wrapped rigs filed in, tents were hoisted, and the rare Olympian from a foriegn land walked the track during the obligatory pre-race grooming. Arriving on Wednesday evening, hotels are as they are any other day of the year, a revolving door of corporate folk coming back from one meeting, and on the way to the next. But Thursday…Thursday evening you start to see groms zipping about in the parking lot, and the license plates in the lot start to take on a “national” flavor (British Columbia was the furthest tonight, but not confirmed to be BMX).

Standing on the starting hill this evening at sunset, everything was possible, nothing assured, and the spread between the two is where the magic lives. Reading that back, it sounds incredibly corny, we realize. But if you were there, you’d understand.

BMXNEWS will be reporting from Phoenix all weekend long, with photos posted nightly on BMXNOW.COM. Follow BMXNOW on Twitter for as-they-happen updates on race day.