Intense BMX Makes 2012 Pros Official

Ever hear a rumor so many times, that by the time it is officially announced, you are compelled to tell the messenger “I heard that weeks ago?” Late 2011 had its share of those, but we are now putting the “confirmed” stamp on one of the “myths and rumors” posted on the BMX Newsroom walls.

We have heard grumblings about Brian Kirkham joining the Intense Factory team for a few weeks, at least within industry circles. Today, the news is out to the rest of the world, confirmed by the company. Brian takes over the pit chair previously filled by David Herman, and will be racing the USA BMX pro series events in the Intense BMX jersey. Through a sponsorship deal with Cycling Australia, Brian has been riding a Podium frame and other VSI products for a while now. This expands that relationship to a factory ride.

On the Elite Women’s roster, Arielle Martin will be staying aboard her Podium frame, and in the Factory Intense colors for the 2012 USA BMX season.

Of course both Brian and Arielle are also strong Olympic contenders for Australia and the USA, respectively, and the VSI guys definitely have hopes of seeing a Podium on the podium this August.

Look for the debut of the 2012 Intense BMX Pro squad at the USA BMX Gator Nationals in Oldsmar, FL next month.

The official release follows:

VSI Products Inc. is pleased to announce their 2012 Factory Intense Pro roster

Flying under the Intense Factory flag will be:

Brian Kirkham – AA Pro/ Elite Men – Brian an Australian native is incredibly fast and smooth and had an amazing year in 2011. Brian is eager to come to the states and race the USABMX National Series as well as UCI and Olympic events. Its a sure bet that he will be winning more often than not. A few words from Brian “I’m really happy to have VSI’s support for a busy upcoming season and I can’t wait to represent Intense all around the world. I have been using VSI products for the past 3 years and I can honestly say its the best bike and equipment I have ever ridden. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead.”

VSI COO, Gregorio de Haro, noted “We are so pleased to have Brian join forces with Intense BMX for the 2012 season. He has an amazing race record to date and has great ambition that will no doubt keep him winning.”

Arielle Martin will continue her Elite Women’s domination racing for Intense during the new 2012 season. Her primary goal is to earn the USA Olympic spot for the Elite Women and we are pleased to have Arielle sign on for another year and continue to support us as she strives to make the Olympic team. Arielle stated “2011 was an awesome year with team Intense, landing my first SX WC victory on home turf followed by a Silver at the PanAmerican Games was an amazing experience and I couldn’t have done it without the great support from the guys at VSI. I am thrilled to be staying with the company for 2012 as I make my run for the Olympics in August and chase down some domestic wins here in the states. A little forced time off to let a nagging injury in my hand heal after PanAms has me feeling fresh, re-charged, and ready for the season to start. My Intense rides have been the sexiest and fastest bikes I have ever owned and I’m looking forward to another great year on them.”

Adding to his comments on Kirkhma’s addition to the team, Gregorio de Haro said of Arielle: “We are incredibly fortunate to have an athlete like Arielle representing Intense BMX. In addition to the interest she generates on and off the track, she is a wonderful person to work with and a valuable partner in our product development process.”

Team Moves: Herman to Free Agent/Rockstar

Some late news out of Dale Holmes’ office last night. In what was starting to become the biggest unreported headline of the month, Dale confirms David Herman is shedding his Intense BMX uniform for 2012, and will be slipping in to the same kit as Maris.

David has been a consistent fixture on the global BMX Supecross circuit, and is widely considered one of the top four guys who could be sitting in seat 1A on the hop over to London next August (the others being Connor Fields, Nic Long and Corben Sharrah).

In a savvy social media move, @zHermanator telegraphed a potential switch on November 1, when he tweeted a photo of a Rockstar can in a convenience store cooler, saying “Hoping to be able to get one of these for free next year…” Well, that meant either Free Agent or Haro, so the speculation mill kicked in to fill in the rest.

News is definitely looking forward to the first photos of David suited up in the Black, Red and Gold. We’ll have more on this story, so stay tuned to bmxnews.com.

Lex Gillette’s “Blind Faith” in BMX Racing

Story and Interview By Mike Carruth, Photos via YouTube

On BMX News, one of our primary goals is to bring you stories of extraordinary athletic accomplishment in the face of adversity. The rider who’s brain says “I can’t,” but who’s heart says “I must.” Our content is, by-and-large, all BMX, but the people who embody that credo are not always necessarily BMXers, by career.

Last October, we ran a story, written by Intense BMX Elite star Arielle Martin, talking about a day she spent on the Chula Vista Supercross track. It was not a story of the fastest lap time, or clearing this set or that. It was the story of a friend helping someone understand BMX racing in a way they otherwise could not, without her help.

That “someone” was two-time Paralympic Track & Field Silver Medalist, Elexis “Lex” Gillette. Lex is completely blind, but wanted to better understand the environment all his BMX friends at the OTC encounter on their day-to-day quest to make the 2012 US Olympic BMX Team.

Lex lives at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista full-time, just like other Olympic (and Paralympic) hopefuls who are training full-time to represent our country in London next year. Lex’s training is substantially the same as any other athlete on the property, with special consideration given to their specific sport and unique training needs.

The day Arielle and Lex spent walking the track is wonderfully-accounted in the link below, so if you have not previously read it, we encourage you to do so.

But first, fast-forward to last week, when Arielle, and a few other OTC friends helped Lex take his curiosity for BMX racing a step further. They pulled an official “USA” jersey over his shoulders, strapped a helmet on his head and took him, aboard a “Team USA” Intense Podium, out to the last straight of the Beijing-replica track, for him to RIDE a BMX Supercross track, firsthand.

Video Of Arielle helping Lex ride the Chula Vista SX Track (will open in new window)

Now, to you and me, that might be challenge enough. But, think about doing it with a blindfold on, which is basically how Lex experienced it, and it elevates things to a whole new level of challenge.

The link to the video is also below, but we just had to get the full story from Lex’s own lips on his journey from being told, at eight years old, that he would never see again…to the Athens, then Beijing, Paralympic Games…and then to riding a BMX track that only our sport’s most celebrated and talented riders ever get the chance to ride.

It’s an interview that the entire family, regardless of age, should listen to, and underscores, in the most profound way, how you CAN do anything you set your mind to doing, regardless of the obstacles you may initially perceive are in your way.

Click Below to Listen To The Podcast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Arielle’s BMX News article on Lex’s first walk on the track

Audio: The Song “Crazy,” By Lex Gillette, on his first BMX experience

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

YouTube Video of Lex In Action in the Longjump

Lex Gillette on Twitter

Editor’s note: at :24 in the Podcast, we say Lex competed in two “Olympic” games. That should have been “Paralympic” Games. We apologize for the error.

Lee Lewis Goes for the Steak Knives at VSI

We are always stoked when riders make the jump from the track to the “front office” of an industry stalwart. Lee Lewis has been on the road with Burlin Harris and the Supercamp posse for the past year or two, replacing Karl Clark (who’s back and making A Pro mains again, by the way).

Lee is a great instructor, very patient with the kids, and knowledgeable enough to talk turkey with the “gear chart dads” (like me) who are on his jock from the moment he sets foot out of the van, asking about optimizing gear inches, which frame has the shortest back end, and “should my bars be this wide?” (Note: in Gear Chart Dad parlance, when you say “my bars,” or “my” anything, related to the bike, it is universally understood that you are referring to your seven year old’s bike).

Back to Lee…it takes a certain kind of guy to coach kids, handhold BMX parents, and still train to make a splash in the A Pro ranks. So when VSI was looking to add some bench strength to the sales force, Lee’s talents in the above were all over their radar.

Lee joins Sales Manager Michelle Enriquez (NAG 1 Cruiser), Erik Engstrom (pro freestyler), Robert Burgos and fellow A-Pro Brian Schrimpf on the sales floor.

No word if VSI has “Glengarry Glen Ross” style sales contests…but remember the golden rules of sales, Lee:
 
1). Monster is for Closers Only
2). Second Prize is a set of steak knives…third prize is “you’re fired!”
3). Always Be Closing
4). It’s a sin to say “SINS” (esp. if Toby or Michelle are in earshot)
5). Never take out a rider who’s sponsor you have to call for an order on Monday

Speaking of Glengarry, we are reminded of this educational video clip, which Lee can use to stoke his motivation (CAUTION: Contains adult language, turn sound down if other sales reps are closing deals in the next cube, or if young ears are nearby).

Lee with be racing what he sells at the upcoming ABA US Nationals in Bakersfield. Watch for him in the lead aboard a Speed M-Series 20″ bolted up with the full catalog of Sinz Elite, Sinz, THE and ITS SKUs.

Congrats to both parties on getting together!

VSI Serves Up Some New Haul-Axle Hardware

The rubber meets the dirt on two new frame incarnations from the folks behind Intense BMX and Speed Bicycles.

The “Intense Podium LTD” (above) brings the 20mm axle craze to the Intense BMX product line for the first time, with a run of modified frames (Pro-size-and-higher, including the Pro Cruiser (21″ TT) and Pro Cruiser + (21.5″ TT) frames). The LTD will tip the scales six-ounces lighter than the current mojito, and be dressed up in a special black, red and chrome paint scheme. Yes, you read that right…”chrome” paint. Coolness…just like those Vodafone F1 rockets! The one above is a pearl white paint-up done for Arielle Martin, and was seen today in the OTC bike rack chatting with the “old-new” AMV15 ride that we saw at the Chula Vista National, nine days ago. No word on which ride gets “top bunk” privileges, but we’re betting “newer is better.”

On the Speed side of the hizzouse, Marc Willers & ‘mates will be eyeballin’ what News is callin’ the “Black Speed” limited-edition of the M520 (Pro), M533 (Pro XL) and M546 (Pro XXL) on the 20″ line, and M534 Cruiser (21″ TT) and a new, larger M547 (21.5″ TT) among the big bikes. This Speed sports the same spiffy geometry and style points of the original recipe, but with the six-ounce subtraction also found in its first cousin, above (and, of course the 20mm axle we have seen before with the traditional Speed livery).

Each nameplate will get about 225 of these limited-edition lookers, and they’ll be ready to roll off your local dealer’s showroom floor, or hit the UPS jetstream from your favorite mail order in early June (just in time for the shank of the summer season).

MSRP will hold the line at $399, but due to increased manufacturing and materials costs, a headset will no longer be included. Both the Intense and Speed versions will come with necessary adapters to run a 10mm or 20mm axle in the frame.

In addition to the frame-only option, you can open up the throttle of coolness to full, and pick up one of their “Pro-Build” kits. The kits include a full range of THE, ITS and Sinz Elite items, like the new iHub straight-pull spoke wheels (used by David Herman, among others), Sinz Elite Pro Carbon CFC forks (10- or 20-Mil) or Sinz Elite XXX cranks. You can also get the DXR (crank) option.

Check out www.intensebmx.com and www.speedbicycles.com for a dealer near you. You’ll want to get yours reserved before Mayday.

Arielle Martin Expected Back for Winter Nats

After tangling with Ashley Lynch in Sunday’s main event at the ABA Gator Nationals in Oldsmar, FL earlier this month, Arielle Martin ended up with a fracture of the Fifth metacarpal bone (right hand).

She characterized the injury as “no big deal” and said the cast would be off the week before the ABA Winter Nationals in Phoenix next month.

But if you’re in a cast, you gotta pimp it out, right? Some of you may have seen AMV15′s custom-painted Intense Podium at the first few races this year. Well, even though she’s off the bike, she is still reppin Intense in a big way with a graphical riff on her ride, put on the proverbial plaster.

We’ll catch up with Arielle at Speedworld to bring you the latest on her comeback.

Cycling Australia Stays Intense for 2011

VSI products, the always-moving-forward makers of Intense BMX, Speed Bicycles, T.H.E. products and Sinz parts, came out of the holiday haze in classic “big bang” form this week, with an announcement that four of the always-in-the-mix Cycling Australia team will be rockin VSI gear through 2011, and into the 2012 dash for the podium in London.

Speaking of podiums, the Podium frame the team will be aboard has some awesomely-Aussie flash, with personalized Team graphics for each rider (Caroline Buchanan’s mount pictured above).

Brian Kirkham

Rachel Bracken

Lauren Reynolds

Here is the full release:

Intense, Sinz, THE Named Official Product Supplier to Cycling Australia

CERRITOS, CA—Intense BMX, Sinz and THE have signed a deal that makes the U.S. BMX frame, bicycle and components supplier the Official Product Supplier to Australia’s top BMX professionals. The agreement with Cycling Australia is an extension of a less-formal deal in 2010 where the company supplied members of the powerful BMX Australia Elite High Performance Program with frames, forks, components, helmets and protective gear.

“We’re really excited to continue working with Wade and the Australian riders. Last year, they proved to be one of the strongest national teams. The women made many, if not all of, the Supercross mains and Brian Kirkham came on strong at the end of the year with a great ride in Frejus. We expect big things from them next year and through the Olympics,” said Toby Henderson, VSI’s founding partner. VSI is the parent company of Intense BMX, Sinz and THE.

The sponsorship covers Elite High Performance riders Rachel Bracken, Lauren Reynolds, Brian Kirkham and new addition, Caroline Buchanan.

As it did last year, VSI will provide support in the form of product, including frames, components and accessories from Intense BMX, SINZ Elite and SINZ and helmets, padding and clothing from THE Products. Each member of the team will ride custom painted Intense BMX Podium frames.

“I rode the new bike at the local BMX track in Alabama and did some sprints on it. It feels awesome. I noticed that it’s super stiff, more responsive than my Ti frame and acceleration was noticeably better. I am excited to race it,” Buchanan said a few days after she got her new Podium frame and Sinz Elite Carbon forks.
 
In 2010, the young Australian riders showed they have the skills and speed to compete with the world’s best BMX racers. Buchanan is currently ranked fifth by the UCI, while Reynolds and Bracken ended the year ranked ten and eleven, respectively. Kirkham moved up from 27 in 2009 to 19th last year. The team is currently ranked third in the world behind Latvia and the United States.

“Toby and VSI have been a great support in my cycling career and now having them continue this into our National Elite HP BMX Program is an exciting time. This gives our riders the confidence and opportunity to use the products they want to use to help them be competitive on the international circuit,” said former World Champion Wade Bootes, who is head coach of the Cycling Australia/BMX Australia BMX High Performance Program.

The Elite HP riders will compete in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa and the United States with a focus on the UCI Supercross World Cup Series and World Championships in 2011.

The addition of the Australian program sponsorship further bolsters VSI’s commitment to supporting the world’s best BMX racers. VSI, through Intense BMX, Speed Bicycles, THE, Sinz Elite, Sinz and ITS, sponsors the UCI Supercross Series, World Championships and 2012 London Olympic Games, the USA Cycling Junior Development Camps and the ABA.

In addition to these organizations and events, the company also supports the Factory Intense and Factory Speed Teams, Rennen/Intense, Intense/Spinnz, J&R Racing, Delux Racing, SE Racing, the S&M Team, Intense Europe, Team Little Dudes Racing, Atomlab and more than a dozen individual racers. VSI also offers a contingency program to professional/elite and junior elite riders who use its products.
 
Visit www.vsiproducts.com to learn more about Intense, SINZ Elite, Sinz, THE, ITS and other VSI brands.

 

IPOT Splits and Doubles Up

The rumors of the what was to come for the storied Intense/Phantom/OnTrac team started circulating a few weeks before the recent ABA Grands. Some reports had everyone except a few choice riders going their separate ways…others told tale of a new creation taking shape to replace name of the team, with most of the players staying the same.

In a release obtained by News today, it looks like the former is going to be the new reality for a 19-member posse.

VSI Products will effectively take over the team, and create two new squads–one running an Intense BMX uniform and frames, and the other rockin the “new” Speed uniform and hardware–all supported by VSI brands Sinz and T.H.E.

The team will be managed by IPOT honcho Donavon Long, whose deep knowledge of the sport and rider development was at the center of the team’s long-standing success. IPOT team owner Chuck Colton will take on more of an “of counsel” role, and will be stepping back to concentrate more on family and his garage door business (the “OnTrac” in Intense/Phantom/OnTrac).

As you’ll read in the release, below, the vision of VSI ringmaster, Toby Henderson, is for the new teams to continue the dynastic stature that IPOT has established, but to step that up to be reminiscent of the “True” factory teams Toby and his contemporaries remember on teams like the SE Factory Boys, Hutch, GT (and related brands), and others of the time.

Here’s the release:

VSI Products is pleased to announce that it will take over the management of the Intense/Phantom/OnTrac Team (IPOT). The change will result in the team being divided into two—Factory Intense and Factory Speed—and the addition of three of the world’s top professionals.
 
Through Intense, VSI has always been the primary financial backer of the team, in addition to the number-one source of frames and components. Next season, VSI will provide even more financial and product support. OnTrac owner Chuck Colton will reduce his involvement in the team so he can spend more time with his family and focus on his business. Colton will continue to follow the racers and make the familiar IPOT rig available to the teams.
 
“I want to thank Chuck for his dedication and support of the team all these years. He’s been a great partner and a big part of the success of the team. I wish him well and look forward to seeing him at a race or two in the future,” said Toby Henderson, VSI’s founding partner.
 
Donavon Long will continue in his role as team manager of the amateur riders while VSI will take care of pros David Herman and Arielle Martin, who will represent Intense, and new Speed racer Marc Willers.
 
“I’m very excited to be working with VSI to help continue the legacy of the IPOT team. The new addition of the Speed Factory Team will bring a whole new level to the Factory Title hunt for 2011. We put together some of the fastest riders in the world and they will all be ready to help take VSI and BMX to the next level,” Long said.
 
“And, I can’t thank Chuck and Terry Colton enough for the support that they have given to the riders and family’s over the years. I know that they will keep on giving back to the kids in this sport and others as their grand kids grow and play sports themselves,” he added.
 
The team has won multiple national titles and is stacked with NAG riders. It narrowly lost the Factory Team title at this year’s ABA Grands, but with two beefed-up rosters it could reclaim the number-one spot and take number-two, as well, next November in Tulsa.
 
The Intense Factory Team will ride Podium frames with SINZ Elite forks, XXX cranks, bolt-on grips and wheels, Sinz brakes, handlebars, stems and seatposts, THE saddles and number plates and ITS MK2 and Hustler tyres. The Speed Factory riders will race in similarly spec’d Speed M-Series bikes. Look for a few of them to breakout the new 20-millimeter bikes this spring.
 
“We’re really looking forward to having a closer working relationship with the team. I think it will benefit VSI as we develop and introduce new products and it will help the riders since we’ll be more attentive to their needs. I want this program to be as professional as the factory race teams of the past—like the GT, Hutch, Diamondback and JMC teams of the 1980s,” Henderson said.
 
New members of the team include Nick Koehler, Shelby Stacy, and Brodie Spott
 
Factory Intense Team
Dane Gilbert, 7X
Brodie Spott 9X
Bryant White 11X
Madison Martinez 11 Girls
Christopher Blevins 13X
Christopher Abernathy 14X
Sean Gaian 15X
Kristen Long 15X
Rusty Nesvig 17-18X
Chad Street Vet Pro
 
Factory Intense Team Pros
David Herman
Arielle Martin
 
Speed Bicycles Factory Team Roster
Wyatt Bell 9X
Brock Heffron 14X
Cole Tesar 15X
Derik Bergh 16X
Felicia Stancil 16 Girls
Nick Koehler 17-18X
Bryce Hocking 17-18X
Shelby Stacy 17 Girls
Fernie Jaquez 19-27X
 
Speed Factory Team Pro
Marc Willers
 

David Herman Continues With Intense

You know it’s a slow news day when we report something that is, to many, a foregone conclusion. But there have been lots of rumors on rider changes flying around, so we thought, despite the ho-hum ring to it, we would report on riders sticking with sponsors when we hear of them, in addition to the tasty tang of the ol’ switcheroo.

David posted on his Facebook page yesterday, saying “I will be signing with Intense Bicycles again next year” So, take him off your “new sponsor bingo” card, cause he’s totally Team Toby.

Breaking News: Nic Long Released From Intense.

Nic Long has been on a bit of a tear on the track lately. USAC National Champion a couple months back, a strong showing in New Mexico, with a win and a second in Elite Men. Won the Friday night “Pro Open” class in Roseville, and made the main both days of the National.

When you’re winning races, the eyes of prospective sponsors and the world are upon you. When you have some setbacks or drama go down, it seems the eyes of CURRENT sponsors are on you most of all.

Just got this breaking news exclusive in to the BMXNEWS “Scoop” email account.

In light of recent events, Intense BMX has decided to let Nic Long out of his current contract with us to pursue other opportunities. Nic has been part of the Intense family for over 5 years, and we have enjoyed watching his riding and his career blossom while he was running our unique products.

It was a tough decision to let him go, as his contract with us ran through 2010, but we feel this is the best course of action for both our programs, and to let Nic pursue the opportunities and funding he now needs to get to the races he wants to attend.

We wish him the best of luck for the balance of the 2010 season and beyond.

Toby Henderson, CEO VSI Products/Intense BMX

No confirmation (but a heaping helping of speculation, which we are not currently at liberty to report) on what kind of uniform Nic will be wearing, come next week’s ABA Midwest Nationals in Rockford, IL. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

UPDATE 6/8/10 11:10PM CDT: On the VintageBMX thread on the topic, Haro Bicycles marketing man Derek Betcher had the following to say: “Allan Cooke and I are proud to welcome Nic Long to the Haro family.”

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