Maris To Be MIA in Tulsa

Earlier this week, in an interview on the Dale Holmes Podcast Maris Strombergs confirmed he would not be attending the ABA Grands this year.

I spoke with my coach after Orlando, and told him I don’t want to go to the Grands this year…He told me “let’s see how it goes after Puerto Rico, if you get some good scores, maybe you still have a chance at the title”

I’m third in points…I can go for the third spot, but that’s not really what I want to do… So, I decided to take some time off, and get ready for next year.

The Machine will be taking off to his native Latvia for the holidays, and be rarin’ to go for Reno, in Early January.

We certainly speak for a lot of the fans when we say we’ll miss him at the “Greatest Race on Earth” next week. Definitely looking forward to watching him take on the world in 2012.

Listen: Dale Holmes Podcast With Maris Strombergs

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Dr. Dale is In at the Free Agent Clinic

Looking for something constructive-yet-decidedly-BMX to do this weekend? Well, if you’re in range of So. Cal, we thinks you should get on down to Bellflower BMX for the Free Agent Clinic. Led by Dale Holmes, Cristian Becerine and Maris Strombergs, this bunch has more stripes than a zebra convention.

A mere $30 if you act today, sometimes you gotta strike while the iron is hot…and sometimes you need to make the iron hot BY striking. We read that in a Zig Ziglar motivational book once, and it was oh-so-true. Thus, get your bones over to Bellflower on Saturday, 1-4 PM.

Download the Clinic Flyer.

Maris Making Moves For Mid-Summer Comeback

On a recent So. Cal photo shoot with Ben Crockett from BMX Plus!, Maris made his first public appearance back on a bike since his spectacular dirt-dive digger in the first lap of ABA Grands weekend last November.

It has been a long six months for Maris, with surgery to repair his wrist, and then missing the first seven ABA Pro races and first two UCI SX races of 2011.

A “take your mind off it” trip to Latvia to see friends and family seems to have helped, and you can see in this four-minute video edit, that his quick smile and down-to-earth nature is ever-present.

Just like any machine that has gone in for an overhaul, Strombergs is starting to test his systems, and has eyes on getting back “on line” by the ABA Great Salt Lake Nationals in about a month.

We are very much looking forward to seeing “The Machine” cranked back up to full throttle as the rest of the 2011 season hits its prime.

Meanwhile, check out the Maris Strombergs edit on BMX News sister site, bmxedits.com

Maris says “nemaz nepateicoties” to SA SX

We miss Maris. Haven’t seen him turn a lap since practice at the ABA Grands, and it looks like our wait is not over yet. Fans were halfway expecting the World Champ to be on a plane to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa next week for the April 8-9 UCI BMX World Cup event there. But word is coming from the promoter, and even some mainstream media down there who have picked up the story, that stop one on the 2011 tour will kick off without the W1 in the gate.

Maris has been rockin a cast on his right forearm since a flat-bottom wreck in the first race lap of ABA Grands weekend ended with a broken hand. See YouTube video of Maris’ crash in Tulsa. | Read BMX News report on the incident

BMX News will keep on keeping tabs on “The Machine” as he get back on the horse, and makes his 2011 debut. It’s going to be a big 18 months for him, with defending his World title, and then, of course, his Olympic Title next year in London.

Last Chance: Free Agent So Cal. Clinics

Back on February 3, BMX News reported that Free Agent/Rockstar would be running a series of clinics around Southern California. Well, they’re half way in to the schedule, and we thought we’d check in with Dale Holmes to see how things are going, as well as give you a little nudge on the final two dates.

Dale let the photos speak for themselves, with some great snaps from the first two dates at Bellflower and Freedom Park. A solid group of riders at each clinic, yet not TOO much of a madhouse (always a delicate mix, as you want to make sure you have some people to ride with, but also want as much individual attention from the instructors as possible).

In addition to the five-time world champ, in Dale Holmes, attendees also got time with Maris Strombergs and Cristian Becerine (as well as some special guests from the Free Agent/Rockstar factory roster). You know it’s a good day when the Olympic Gold Medalist is coaching you into better form on your gate start, then showering you with lots of awesome swag.

The best part about it is that you have not missed out yet! March 26, they’re out at Lake Perris BMX, then April 4 at Orange Y. A great opportunity to get your skills fully dialed before the Chula Vista National, April 15-17.

For more info, including sign up instructions (day-of signups are available on a limited basis), download the info sheets below:

Lake Perris Clinic

Orange Y Clinic

More photos from the Free Agent/Rock Star So. Cal Clinic Series.

Maris Strombergs and Cristian Becerine hand out goodies for BMX Clinic students at Bellflower BMX

Cristian Becerine coaches a younger group at the Free Agent/Rockstar BMX Clinic

Checking in to the Free Agent/Rockstar BMX Clinic at Freedom Park BMX

Riders Circle up with Dale Holmes at the Free Agent/Rockstar BMX Clinic at Freedom Park BMX

Photos courtesy of Dale Holmes and Free Agent/Rockstar

Strombergs to Get Signature Series Sun Rims

Today’s “Quick Hit” comes courtesy of a poaching off of Dale Holmes’ Facebook page. Sun Ringlé will be releasing some signature series gold hoops for the Gold Medalist later this year. We envision those laced to a black set of Stealth hubs, and rollin phat on a black Free Agent Team Limo.

No production or pricing info on these yet, as they are strictly proto-ala-moto.

Strombergs Sidelined in Grands Pro Set Slam

Maris Strombergs was sent to the ER this morning after a major crash over the pro section in the first round of qualifiers for this evening’s Pro Spectacular. Early reports out of the Free Agent tent, via VintageBMX.com, are that he has a broken wrist, and a possible concussion. If true, these injuries would surely render him absent from staging for the balance of the ABA Grands weekend.

The big question now is “What about the title?” In the BMX equivalent of “electoral math,” Maris still has a chance at it, even if he is drinking a Rockstar on the sidelines as the three pro mains unfold on Sunday. But, that seems like a lot of “if/then/else” that has to happen for the blue sky of the so-called “quint crown” to show through.
UPDATE: Following Firday evening’s Pro Spectacular, the title is now down to Sam Willoughby who retained, and improved upon his points lead with a win, and Marc Willers who, with his second place, has edged into the “Zone” where an upset of Sam’s points stronghold is mathematically possible on Sunday.

Maris is, of course, not the only points leader leaning on the fence this ABA Grands. BMX News has been reporting the on-going events in the injury of Womens’ points leader, Alise Post, after a freak accident in the final lap of a late Monday practice session in Chula Vista.

BMX News will be tweeting from the infield of the Pro Spectacular/NAG 5 Challenge this evening, as well as the full day tomorrow and Sunday. Follow BMXNOW for the latest, and send your questions to @bmxnow as well. Also, for those of you at the race, use hashtag #10ABAGrands for your tweets.

We posted a brief “appetizer” photo gallery from Thursday’s Elite practice (which was where we snapped this Maris photo on the first straight).

View Photo Gallery Now

Maris Says: “I’m Not Done Yet”

Depending on who you talk to, there could be as few as three or as many as six active titles in Elite BMX racing. To some, a title and a plate are synonymous. If you can’t run a number one after winning it, then it doesn’t carry the same juice. By that standard, of course, winning the Olympic Gold Medal is the same as winning a State Plate…so not sure if we’re down with that (although it would make sense for the the reigning podium athletes from the last Olympics to be able to run 1, 2 and 3 at the next one, if they qualify).

Well, wherever your measure, if there is a title to be won in 2010, you’ll find Maris Strombergs at the top of the list, either as a top contender, or as the end-of-the-party winner. Here is the list of what Maris has going on:

2010 UCI BMX Elite Men’s World Champion
2010 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Champion
2010 NBL Elite Men National Number One
2010 UCI North American Continental Champion

When interviewed after crossing the line first to win both the Frejus SX and the overall title for the year, Maris said “I’m not done yet!” This was obviously a not-so-subtle nod toward the next summit he must attain, the universally-coveted ABA National Number One Pro title.

And as a cherry on the Sunday, he was also recently voted RideBMX 2010 NORA Cup Racer…and of course, he is still reigning Olympic Gold Medalist.

Many these days are calling him “the Machine.” But maybe a more fitting moniker would be “The Titleist.”

—Mike Carruth

Interview: Maris Quenches Thirst For Worlds Win

Maris Strombergs had a remarkable weekend in South Africa earlier this month. Having never lost a lap on Saturday, and selecting lane 8 every time he had the opportunity to do so, BMXNEWS was eager for the new world champ to land in California (his adoptive home), to talk with him about how it all came together. He talks about the up & comers in the class, and also about the thoughts that were going through his mind as he was racing the biggest lap of the year (so far, at least).

It’s a great interview that give us a rare insight into both the serious and the playful side of this amazing athlete.

Listen Now

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Thanks to Dale Holmes for helping us get the interview set up, and to Stuart Harrison at HRP Designs for supporting the Announcers Tower series.

Loebe Slips Past the ConMan and Maris Edges out Cristian

Story and Photos via BMXNOW.COM

The 2010 ABA Gator Nationals got into gear Saturday with 138 motos (said to be a few ticks higher than last year). The full four Elite classes were active, and USAC/ABA’s blossoming Junior Development Program was chock-full of superstars-in-waiting (Saturday’s honors going to Tyler Whitfield and Shelby Stacy in Jr. Devo Boys and Girls, respectively).

One bit of new process that was announced today was that Elite classes would get to pick lane assignments for the semis and main based on riders’ finishes in the previous rounds. BMXNOW did not completely understand how it all worked, as the goldenrod sheet that was handed out at the riders meeting looked a lot like “build your own computer out of everyday parts” instructions, but we will find out more about the inner working of how this will work at future races, and report back.

Elite Men was a suspense-filled race with classic reversals of fortune applied, as if at the command of a Hollywood director who had not received his shiatsu that day. In the race, Cristian Becerine lead it pretty much from the crest of the first jump to the deepest part of the last straight. Stumpy was there in second for most of it, but Maris was stalking the lead in a big way and mounted a awe-inspiring charge in the last straight to get the win from his FA teammate by half a wheel at the line. It looked a lot closer from half a track away, but Bill Morris, ABA head official zipped it up on the instant replay and there it was…Maris had his win! Tough break for Donny Robinson today. dR was sitting in second or third in the semi, when he went down double-H-hard in turn two. BMXNOW talked to him after the race, and he is OK, but had a nasty-looking scuff on his shoulder blade.

Elite Women was as stacked as it could get with Dom stuck on the undercard. Current UCI World Champ, Mariana Pajon, was up from Columbia to size up the American girls she will likely meet in Madrid in a month. Aside from Mariana, the main had most of the other “Who’s Who” names in the class, with Post, Geving, Barragan, Verhagen, Pitts and Carr in the gate. Props to Kim Hayashi for grabbing her own spot in the big lap. Into the first turn, it was Pajon, Post and Verhagen, then the balance. The omelette got scrambled in a way only the marvel of a GO211 replay will be able to confirm, but ended up with a sizable portion of the field on the pavement of the first turn. Amanda Geving got around the shards of her fallen comrades and made a successful drive for the stripe. Stephanie Barragan and Madison Pitts were 2-3.

Have you ever seen one of those Atomic bomb films from the 50s, where trees bend in half, and houses are blown into matchsticks on the test range? OK, well, that sums up pretty well how Dom Daniels dispensed with Junior Women. Nothing against the other seven ladies, as they were the only Elite class main of the day in which nobody pulled the eject cord.

Which leaves Junior Men. Connor Fields pretty well owned the class throught the day, with impressive showings at key times by Tory Nyhaug, Corben Sharrah and Austin Loebe. The stage was set for a contentious main, and we sure got one. Through the second straight, it was Connor and Austin in Siamese-lockstep. Through the Pro Section some unfortunate circumstance befell Connor (though we did not see what it was because our view was blocked), and Austin came out on top, with Tommy Zula and Corben Sharrah with the two and three. The crowd was definitely

If you are a recurring BMXNOW visitor, you probably know that, on Saturday Night, we usually are pressed between the unstoppable force of the Earth rotating on its axis, and the immovable object of the 8AM first gate. Thus, after the evening’s primary activity is complete (editing, correcting and posting the day’s photos), the time for writing is short, before the witching hour is nye.

Translation: Check out Saturdays photo gallery and we’ll have more from Oldsmar after Sunday’s race.