ABA Jr. Devo Brings Bucks for USAC BMX Efforts

Ever wonder what happens with your entry fees once you pass them through the window? Well, if you’re a Jr. Development rider, here’s a peek. ABA just announced that, in its first year of operation, the Jr. Development series contributed $35,000 to USA Cycling to further support the BMX program. Here’s an excerpt from the release:

“We believe that this program has contributed significantly to the development of our young athletes, and are pleased to be able to make this contribution to USA Cycling,” stated ABA CEO, BA Anderson.

Through local races and its national series, the ABA had more than 200 young men and women compete in Junior Development races. The USA Cycling BMX Junior Development Program (JDP) Series is designed to take our next generation of young, talented athletes to the highest level of BMX racing. The goal of the program is to prepare this group by providing unprecedented access to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. The program is open to all riders, 15 and 16 years of age, using the UCI BMX calendar (August 1 to July 31 of each year).

“The partnership and support from the ABA has helped to ensure that Americans will remain on top of the sport of BMX for years to come,” said USA Cycling Chief Executive Officer Steve Johnson. “With support from organizations like the ABA and Intense BMX the USA Cycling Junior Development Program will continue to thrive and cultivate the next crop of Olympic and World Champions.”

With the second year of JDP now underway, we look forward to continued coverage of the amazing progress the athletes are making, and also to seeing the first “graduating class” of the program get their first real-deal laps at the Chula Vista SX next month.

Geving, Martin, Crain, Verhagen Jumping for Joy After First WDP Camp

USA Cycling held the first in a series of Womens Development Camps this week at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. Part of the business being done was to bring eight of the top Elite Women to Chula Vista, and allow new Womens Coach Sean Dwight and BMX Program Director, Mike King evaluate the field. Of eight “rostered” riders (Amanda Geving, Amanda Carr, Dominique Daniels, Alise Post, Taylor Wolcott, Brooke Crain, Ashley Verhagen and Arielle Martin), four would be selected as the USAC “Funded” Team for the Madrid Supercross race later this month, based on rigorous testing and observation both on and off the track. Seven of the eight (all of the above, minus Dom, who had school commitments) attended the camp and rode hard for the ten days. In the end, the selection came down in a group meeting this afternoon: Amanda Geving, Arielle Martin, Brook Crain and Ashley Verhagen were the choices for this round. The USAC funded team will be selected for future SX races on a race-by-race basis, based on future camps. All four will be going on to the ABA Winternationals this weekend, so we will be watching for them in the first turn and at the finish line.