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Dauphiné Libéré
Photo ©: Sirotti

BMX news & racing round-up for February 17, 2007

Welcome to our regular roundup of what's happening in BMX racing. Feel free to send feedback, news and releases to bmx@cyclingnews.com.

Edited by Greg Johnson

UCI announce Supercross World Cup calendar

Cycling's world governing body, the UCI, has revealed the calendar for the 2007 BMX Supercross World Cup, featuring four rounds spread across three continents. Included on this year's calendar is the 2008 Olympics Games test event, to be held on the same track as the games itself in Beijing, China. The Chinese round will also see the introduction of Elite Women and Junior Women into the Supercross World Cup.

The opening round will be organised by Red Bull X-Fighters organisers Last Lap, who have also organised multiple Mountain Bike World Cup events, and will be held in Sapin's Juan Carlos I Auditorium.

The final round will again be held in conjunction with the Roc d'Azur Festival in France, while details of the series' penultimate round in the United States are yet to be announced.

2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup calendar:
Round 1, Madrid, Spain, April 13-14
Round 2, Beijing, China, August 20-21
Round 3, Salt Lake City, United States, September 21-22
Round 4, Fréjus, France, October 13-14

Callisto undergoes second re-construction

Nicole Callisto,
Photo ©: John Veage
Click for larger image

Australia's Nicole Callisto underwent knee surgery on Wednesday after damaging it in round four of the Australian Hog's Breath Café Probikx National BMX Series last month. It's the second operation Callisto has had on her knee, after undergoing reconstruction surgery last year which forced the youngster to sit out most of 2006.

"I'll have to spend six weeks off the bike after this so it's better if it's done now. Then I can focus on the world championships," she said.

Callisto's crash was a double blow for the former Australian junior female BMX racer of the year, as the injury forced her to relinquish the championship lead to fellow West Australian Tanya Bailey.

UCI help competitors prepare for Beijing

The UCI has announced it will reconstruct the existing BMX track at its Aigle, Switzerland headquarters to replicate that which riders will compete on at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The reconstruction, which will commence in March and is due to be completed by April this year, will be used for national teams and athletes to prepare for the sport's Olympic debut in China next year.

Teams and competitors wishing to use the facility should contact the UCI.

Meanwhile, the world cycling organisation has also announced it will host two training sessions at its Swiss base to assist BMX athletes with their development. The first, to be held from April 16 - July 23, is aimed at those already competing at a high level while the second, from September 3 - October, is aimed at the less experienced competitors.

The training program will be prepared by former Swiss BMX Champion Hervé Krebs.

USA Cycling announces Olympic selection criteria

USA Cycling, America's national cycling body, has announced the selection criteria for its 2008 Beijing Olympic Games BMX squad. The USAC squad will consist of five athletes which all must be 19 years of age or older at the time of the games.

A maximum of nine men and seven women will be selected for the 'long team' with the final squad consisting of a maximum of two women and three men.

The top five ranked US eligible athletes from the 2007-2008 UCI Rankings will be automatically eligible for the team with USA Cycling coaches able to nominate other riders for consideration.

To view the full selection criteria visit USAC's website at www.usacycling.org

Jarrett Kolich re-signs with Team Avent Bombshell

Jarrett Kolich will remain a Team Avent Bombshell rider through to the end of 2008 after re-signing with the sponsors. The rider is aiming to secure a spot in the USA Cycling's High Performance Program and is expected to concentrate on UCI continental events in addition to the UCI Supercross and BMX World Championships.

"I'm excited to be working with these guys again," said Jarrett of the announcement. "I know I will have the best support and I'm really stoked to be riding custom American made frames and forks this year."

Jarrett, who hopes to secure a place in the United States BMX team for the sport's inaugural event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will ride an American made and designed Avent TR7 frame.

"Jarrett is a big part of our plans moving forward and we've recognized not only his talents, but his professionalism and work ethic. He's the kind of athlete we want to support and we know he's committed to winning more than ever this season," added company CEO Gary Hickman. "Jarrett has been away from the race scene for nearly five months recovering from a major shoulder injury. The "Jet" is not only healed but he's probably in the best shape of his life right now. We look forward to supporting his goals to make the BMX Olympic team in 2008".

One Kenda takes European junior title

One Kenda BMX Racing Team has claimed the European Indoor Junior Women Champion title with Netherlands rider Joyce Seesing. The youngster dominated the season from round one, where she took victory in her homeland at the Zwolle round.

Seesing, who won the crown on her debut in the class, crashed out of the second round but made up for the loss with back-to-back victories at rounds three and four last weekend at Fredericia, Denmark.

The outfit has since announced its re-signed with sponsor MXM Sport. The sportswear chain, which has opened a new store in Belgium, will supply the outfit with UFO gear throughout 2007.

Khalen keen on Olympic BMX

Khalen Young added his name to the selector's list for the 2008 Beijing Olympics by taking victory at round five of the Hog's Breath Café Probikx National BMX Series in Liverpool, Sydney.

It's the first victory for the 22 year-old, commonly known as the wild child of Australian BMX, in three years. Young had 'retired' from the sport in 2004, but since the addition of BMX as an Olympic sport he has turned his life around to focus on the Olympic dream.

"We all set goals at the beginning of this year," said Young, who took the win in his stride. "I knew it was just a matter of time and I'd get to this stage."

Young was challenged in the final by Penrith's Luke Madill, who made a late charge but missed out on victory by half a wheel length. Madill's second place was enough to snatch the ProBikx National BMX Series lead from Wade Bootes, who finished the round in seventh place, while Young now holding third place in the standings.

For a full report and results, click here.

MCS launch Aussie factory team

MCS Bicycles has launched its factory team at round 5 of the Australian Probikx National BMX Series last weekend at Liverpool in Sydney. Leading the outfit is Lake Macquarie resident Paul McLaughlin, who will contest the 30+ men category for the team. McLaughlin, a multiple state title holder, is a level three qualified coach and the current NSW and Australian coach of the year.

The experienced rider will share his knowledge with four youngsters - Champbikx races Ashleigh Cragg and Ryan Henderson as well as Shane Autstin and Jacob Griffiths.

MCS factory team's launch comes just a few weeks after the brand was re-launched in Australia after a 10-year absence. The brand will be imported and distributed by Goulburn-based A1 Bikes.

Fat-tyre king gets Czech crown

Michal Prokop has been crowned the king of Czech cycling by the nation's governing body, the Czech Cycling Union. Prokop, who competes in both BMX and mountain biking, is the first of his two disciplines to claim the title.

"For a long time we had to fight hard to be taken as a real part of the Czech Cycling Union with all the rights and now it looks that we really are," explained Prokop. "I will work hard to confirm this next year again but you know, it is just award and it is not all in my hands, legs or bike, it is about what people think about what you do. Votes are not the same as race results."

Prokop was awarded the prestigious title, which is voted on by Czech cycling officials and a panel of journalists, after claiming two world championship titles, two world cup titles, ten world cp wins and a silver medal in the UCI BMX Supercross standings. The Czech also acquired 90% of the country's Olympic qualification ranking points.

"This crown belongs not just to me but to all the people working so hard to support me on my way day be day for many years. My family, coach, agent, sponsors, Author gangsters and fans have to have their own crowns," he added. "Hopefully, the power of this award helps fourcross and BMX to be taken by public media as the serious ways of cycling. I am happy to be the first ever Czech rider bringing the deserved pride to all the fans of fat tires."

Suzuki named official ABA BMX Race Series bike

The American Bicycling Association has named Suzuki as the official motorcycle and ATV of the 2007 ABA BMX Race Series. The company, which is a major sponsor of the 2007 schedule, will supply motorcycles and ATVs for use during track building and maintenance at ABA's 27 national and 15 pro series events throughout 2007

"Suzuki is an exciting new sponsor for the AMA and our national event series in 2007," said Shannon Gillette, Marketing Director for the ABA . "We are very proud that Suzuki has chosen to promote its products with the ABA and the sport of BMX."

Suzuki will award motorcycles and ATVs to the 2007 National Champions and various pro BMX racers this season.

"We feel right at home with the staff and the members of the ABA ," explained Mel Harris , vice president of American Suzuki's motorcycle and ATV division. "This enthusiastic family of athletes thrives on competition and the need for top-performing products. It's the same passion that drives our motorcycle and ATV racers, and it makes this partnership a natural for Suzuki."

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