The 2016 USA BMX Gator Nationals will be a who's who of BMX racing.
Gilbert, AZ (PRWEB) February 17, 2016
The 16th Annual USA BMX Gator Nationals will be returning to Oldsmar, Florida and Oldsmar BMX February 19 through 21. The event, sponsored by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Sports Commission and the Florida Sports Foundation, returns to its traditional February date after adjusting in 2015 for construction. This will be the first outdoor event of 2016 in the eastern time zone. With three previous stops at indoor venues and a stop last weekend in Phoenix, riders from everywhere are looking forward to the Florida sunshine. "The 2016 Gators will be a who's who of BMX racing," said BA Anderson, CEO USA BMX.
The Oldsmar BMX track is one of the premier facilities in the United States. As one of only three currently sanctioned Supercross tracks in the United States, the Oldsmar BMX complex features both traditional style racing and Olympic style racing. With dual starting hills, the facility is capable of hosting riders of all ages. Amateur Competitors will range in age from as young as 2 years old through the 61 and over class and compete on the more traditional style BMX track. Professional riders will compete on the track featuring an 8 meter (26 ½ foot) Olympic starting hill. If you have not witnessed BMX competition at the highest level, this weekend is a great opportunity.
The Gator Nationals will mark the first of three stops on the North American Supercross Series. This series will feature Olympians, Olympic hopefuls, riders racing for a chance to compete in the United States Olympic Trials, and the richest purse in BMX racing. For the first time in the history of United States Olympic BMX racing, a last chance qualifier (LCQ) will be held to qualify one rider to compete in the United States BMX Olympic Trials. Qualification for the LCQ will be through the USA BMX North American Supercross Series and will begin this weekend in Oldsmar. Amateur riders will be competing in the SX Open class for one of 4 spots advancing to the LCQ. A Pro riders (newly turned pro riders) will also be racing for one of 4 spots. The elite riders competing will be competing for one of 16 spots in the LCQ. In addition, elite riders are racing for those automatic qualifying spots as well the automatic spot on the Olympic team. The women elite riders will also be competing, and like the men, they too are competing for the automatic spot as well as the coaches pick. The excitement and Race to Rio hits the final stretch this weekend in Oldsmar.
While U.S. riders are trying to realize their Olympic dreams, riders from around the globe will also be competing and trying to capture their spot in the Olympics for their countries. USA BMX National #1 Pro, Joris Daudet (France) is scheduled to compete. Three-time USA BMX #1 Pro and Olympic Silver Medalist, Sam Willoughby (Australia) is also scheduled to compete. These riders and others will be joined by U.S. Olympians, Connor Fields (Nevada), Nic Long (California), and David Herman (Colorado). On the women’s side, we anticipate that both Women’s National #1 Pro, Alise Post (Minnesota) and Brooke Crain (California) from the 2012 Olympic Team will be competing. Last year over 20 countries were represented at the Gator Nationals. A media day is scheduled for Thursday, February 18 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM.
Practice will be occurring Friday from 8:30 AM until 2:00 PM. Practice is broken out by age groups and the practice on the Olympic hill will take place from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM. Friday racing will begin at 2:30 PM. Saturday will have practice from 7:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Racing will begin with the Balance Bike class on Saturday at noon. Pro racing will begin immediately following. Sunday racing starts at 8:00 AM. Sunday will also be the USA Cycling Elite BMX National Championships. This race will feature the top U.S. riders in the 17-18 junior class as well as the elite riders in the 19 & over classes. This race could be a sneak peek at what we will see at the Olympic Trials.
Amateur racing will also feature riders from around the United States, Canada, and South America. It is anticipated that there will be over 1,000 entries for each day of competition. Friday will also utilize the world class amateur track to serve as an amateur qualifying race for United States amateurs wishing to attend the 2016 BMX World Championships in Medellin, Columbia.
Oldsmar BMX will definitely be the center of the BMX Universe this weekend. With World Championship Qualifying, Olympic ramifications, and the USA Cycling Elite BMX National Championships, that would be enough. Top that with the greatest BMX series in the world and the Gator Nationals, and Canal Park is the place to be.
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Schedule of Events:
Thursday, February 18 2 – 3 PM Media Day
Friday, February 19 8:30 AM – 2 PM Practice
2:00 PM Racing Begins
Saturday, February 20 7 AM – Noon Practice
Noon Racing Begins
Sunday, February 21 8:00 AM Racing Begins
Pro Purse:
$20,000 for the Men's Elite (Saturday & Sunday)
$10,000 for the Women's Elite (Saturday & Sunday)
About USA BMX
The American Bicycle Association (ABA) is the sanctioning body for the sport of bicycle motocross (BMX), and also the world’s largest BMX sanctioning body. United States operations are conducted under the brand USA BMX and Canadian operations are conducted under the brand BMX Canada. As the parent organization of USA BMX and BMX Canada, the ABA governs and sanctions competition for more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks and more than 70,000 members across the United States and Canada. ABA promotes BMX racing on several levels including: local, district, state, regional, national and international. Locally, ABA sanctioned more than 12,000 BMX races last year. Annually, the ABA organizes and facilitates a 35 race national championship series with events held across North America. These national events are held at both existing BMX tracks and in various arenas.
About Oldsmar BMX
Oldsmar BMX holds weekly racing on Thursday and Saturday evening with practices and clinics throughout the week. You can find the schedule by visiting oldsmarbmx.com or by calling (727) 786-7433. The track is located inside Canal Park at 3120 Tampa Road in Oldsmar.
The event will be streamed live on http://www.usabmx.com.