USAC BMX Elite Portraits

During our trip to the US Olympic Training Center/Chula Vista earlier this month, we were privileged to shoot individual headshots of all the riders taking part in the Elite Camp. We thought you’d enjoy seeing some of your favorite riders suited up in their Team USA Jerseys.

We are saving the goof-around outtakes for a more opportune time

Check Out The Photo Gallery Now

First Photo: Nic Long Suits Up For Next Chapter

Tuesday night, BMXNEWS broke the story that Nic Long had been released from his contract with Intense BMX “so he could pursue other opportunities.” At the time the story was posted, it was not officially clear where those other opportunities might lie. Not long after the story was posted, a thread on Vintage was posted asking for more information. There, Haro TM Derek Betcher posted the following as the company’s official release on the subject: “Allan Cooke and I are proud to welcome Nic Long to the Haro family.”

Yesterday, Nic posted on his Facebook wall saying “another page turns tomorrow in my life story and I’m so stoked!” BMXNEWS was not able to catch up with Nic for any official comments, but we imagine the above sums it up what he might have said pretty well.

Though not coming to you as part of an interview, we thought you would enjoy seeing this first photo of Nic in his Haro/Rockstar gear and glimpse his new ride. More to come next week from the ABA Midwest Nationals.

Thanks to Derek Betcher for the photo

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.”