GRANDS: The Greatest Race of 2020 Lives up to its Name (again)

Grands-20201128_40_mxw460_mxha_e0

This year's Grands, just like the year itself, was a wild 'n crazy one.

Holding a race of this caliber amidst a global pandemic took a lot of
behind-the-scenes legwork from the USA BMX staff and Tulsa Sports
Commission. During the months and final weeks leading up to the
Thanksgiving tradition in Tulsa, there was always the threat of this
event getting canned by Oklahoma's authorities and Health Dept. But in
the end, the BMX masses prevailed and the Grands was pulled off - much
in thanks to the attendees doing what needed to be done to satisfy the
powers that be, to keep the race going 'til the very last National No.1
title was handed out.

For that, USA BMX says a huge "THANK YOU" to everybody who came to
Tulsa and were a part of 2020's great #GrandsExperience.

GRANDS COUNTDOWN

As far back as August, when the 100 Day Grands countdown first hit
social media, there were plenty of rumors concerning The Grands
happening in this Year of the Covid virus. The most common rumor was
that it would be held in Phoenix; which was never even considered. But
as with all National events in 2020, USA BMX did have a back-up or two
in their deck, just in case the entire state of Oklahoma came down with
the 'Rona right before Thanksgiving.

The schedule was adjusted to spread out the riders and racing over five
days, instead of four - with practice taking place on Wednesday, and
the ROC being held over two days instead of jam-packed into the Longest
day on Earth. With this new schedule, the Pro Championship Finals -
which would be three mains for one title, was then moved to Friday
night.

With the race starting a day earlier, the pressure was on the
build-crew to wrap up the track one day earlier. The thing that nobody
knows is that the Grands track has to be carefully built inbetween one
of the largest gatherings of lil' old ladies in the country. The
Braum's "An Affair of the Heart" each year brings 450 vendors to Tulsa,
for a unique opportunity to browse hundreds of arts-n-crafty retailers
from across the nation. When they inhabit the building, the USA BMX
staff isn't allowed to even touch a shovel. Thus, much of the track is
built before they set up their tables full of quilts and home decor,
and as soon as their 3-day event is packed up, our track crew
immediately gets back to putting the finishing touches on the track.

Early Monday morning (5am), the two USA BMX big rigs pulled into the
building and TB Awards began assembling the hundreds and hundreds of
Grands trophies, while Shannon and Heath began marking off floor spaces
for hundreds of vendors and teams who were anxiously awaiting outside
to be let in.

By Tuesday, the main vendors were in place and setting up their home
for the next five days. Next, the Factory rigs started rolling in to
place and the Expo Center was abuzz with Grands fever. While a few
teams opted play it safe and not have a pit area this year, the
majority of BMXers and teams seemed to be treating this Grands like any
other ... except for the fact that we all had to wear masks and wash
our hands for a change.
__________________________________________________________________

2020 GRANDS TRACK

Lead track builders Billy Allen and Lance Maguire on the dozers, along
with their tireless work crew of rakers, shovelers, grovelers and
packers put in long days and hours to create one of the fastest Grands
tracks we've seen over in past decade. This year's track was tough,
fair, challenging and would make for some of the best BMX racing we've
ever witnessed.

While they considered building classic ant-hill moguls, it was decided
that they wouldn't have enough time to dial them in and opted for
another oldy-but-goody - the "Z-Rocker" jump. Just like the name
implies, it was a giant "Z" made out of dirt, that all riders seemed to
love once racing began. Go right and roll the first and double-up on
the top of the Z. If you go left, jump the lower-Z and manual through
the middle.

For Friday night's sidehack sideshow, the Z-jump would really give them
trouble.


The track was even finished ahead of time this year, with the final
packing of the roller going down Tuesday morning. By noon, the
build-crew (many of whom also race) and USA BMX staffers had the
priviledge of riding the track for the first time. Each of them had a
big smile on their faces after each lap, discussing the best techniques
for taking the first jump to how to handle the Z-Rocker.
In fact, social media guru Justin Wahl was so pumped to get in some
Grands track laps that he skipped having lunch in order to get the only
track-time he could before the big show began.

The split second straight decision maker would see some surprises
throughout the weekend and help decide many a race, but not nearly as
much as the third-straight rhythm and final turn would. During Sunday's
mains, the last turn was where much of the action came down to, and it
would be a deciding factor for the No.1 Amateur title.
__________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY PRACTICE

Grands practice started at 7am and went on until Pros wrapped up at
10:15pm. That's 15 hours of non-stop laps - and a whole lot of attempts
at social distancing on each straightaway, by the leaders of each lap.

Even during practice, there were a few surprises. Former National No.1
Pro Cruiser champ Barry Nobles was here, and had signed up for Vet Pro.
Then, late in the evening the big story was that Colombia's 2-time
Olympic gold medalist Mariana Pajon (a former No.1 Pro Woman champion)
was here, to take a stab at yet another No.1 USA BMX titles. Could she
play a factor in the Alise -vs- Felicia battle? We'd soon find out.
(and for those who can't wait, YES - she would).
__________________________________________________________________

THURSDAY's RACE OF CHAMPIONS

Coming into this weekend during these "un-certain times" - nobody could
predict what the turnout would be. Would anybody show up at all? Would
Grands moto-count drop to around 500? ...or would it be about the same?
With more States going back into lock-down mode or requiring a 14-day
quarintine after travel, there were people in certain states pulling
out of the race down to the wire. But then, there were still plenty
signing up online at the very last hour.

When USA BMX posted 563 motos for the Race of Champions - only seven
motos less than 2019, it was a strong indication that this year's
Grands would be just as solid as any other year. When it comes to
earning the red background No.1 ROC plate, everybody wants one.

Surely, it proved that BMXers aren't scared of Covid and that everybody
was anxious to get their BMX on.


Compared to years gone-by, there were plenty of riders who'd previously
skipped the ROC to concentrate on the Grands title-chase. But this
year, the more race-time you had on the track, the better. Riders like
Profile's Rowdy Holzer had qualified and signed up for the ROC this
time, which would put a lot more pressure on the King of the ROC -
Mason Hayes. On the other hand, prior ROC dominators such as Jason
Morris (who'd tripled the past coupla years) was a no-show - giving the
rest of his age class an opportunity for a new Champion to be crowned.

Then there were the riders who'd just moved up an age group - like the
Elliott twins, Nick and Jackson, who had celebrated their 21st
birthdays in August. Welcome to 21-25 X, boys! Usual ROC dominators
Shane Harlow and Louie Kaminski would have some tough comp for the red
plate this year.
__________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY's ROC FINALS

It was bright 'n early when ROC mains began on Friday; which was
especially nice for a change, when main events in previous years had
begun around 8pm and gone on until 10 or 11 at night. What was once the
largest single-day BMX race in history, was now the equivalant to a
pre-2010 Grands.

Racing for the red No.1 plate always steps up the intensity and like
always, main events were HOT 'n heavy!

The ROC always brings some surprises and upsets, as well as some solid
ol' reliable winners.

Repeat winners included Jemma Tollefson (twice), J&R's Easton Johnson,
Alpha'teers Ace Laack and Brayden Kempel, Impact's Preslie Gould, and
of course, Elite-Vendetta's Shane Harlow. Although this year, Harlow
would only win twice - in 21-25 X-Open and cruiser, compared to his
previous ROC triples.
Yess' Sophia Rodriguez also held on to her red plate (twice), while
living up to her nickname. Sooooo fast! Then there's C-Yaa's Jill
McGuire, who has won so many ROC #1's that we've lost count.

Deserving new-comers to earn a ROC #1 included BMX Shark Sage Gazan
(aka "The Mutant"), Gordy's gearhead Frankie Stubbs,

If we had to name one team who ruled the ROC, we'd have to say Texas'
Premier Racing - in their matching red uni's, owned it. Their riders -
from Tyler Shutts (26-30 Mixed), Casey Allen (41-45 Ladies cruiser) and
the long, tall Texan Brandon Taylor (who doubled). Between their
uniforms and our bright red podium backdrop, they just blended in
nicely at the ROC.

Often, if you do well at the ROC, it can prime your Grands performance.
Win on Friday and you will feel good going into Sunday's finals for the
titles. Need proof? Take 17-20 ladies, where Full Tilt-Radio's
MacKenzie Gayheart. Her domination in the main, leading South american
import Romina Miranda, would def be a big boost for the Grands
title-chase.

17-20 WOMEN - ROC main

* 1 MCKENZIE GAYHEART, FULL TILT/RADIO, FORT WHITE, FL
* 2 ROMINA GABRIELA MIRANDA URGILE, ALPHA NATIONAL TEAM, BOCA RATON,
FL
* 3 STEPHANI MORIN, FULL TILT/RADIO, BURLINGTON, WI
* 4 PAIGE ZACHARY, FACTORY SSQUARED, CHAPARRAL, NM
* 5 LEYNA (ALMOST FAMOUS) JONES, JRBICYCLES.COM/SPEEDCO/AVIAN,
OXNARD, CA
* 6 JASMINE (THE SHY GIRL) TOPPER, NO XCUSES SSQUARED FLY, VENTURA,
CA
* 7 IMAGIN NELSON, STATELINE BMX, ROCKFORD, IL
* 8 ALEXIS LEIJA, JET RACING, FERNLEY, NV

Among the biggest surprise wins was Trenton Moore in 17-20X. The
Raise-for-Rowyn rider from Washington pulled off the biggest win os his
career, defeating some of teh heftiest names in that class - like SX's
Cam Bramer (3rd), Hyper's Drew Polk (5th), Alpha's Brayden Kempel (4th)
and Kyle Jenson (6th) and Factort GT's Weston Muerlot (7th) ...to name
a few. Definitely a career highlight and instant credibility as a guy
to beat.

17-20 EXPERT - ROC main

* 1 TRENTON MOORE, RAISE FOR ROWYN, PORT ORCHARD, WA
* 2 ZACHARY FRIER, EXTREME TEAM, ABBOTSFORD, BC
* 3 CAMERON BRAMER, SUPERCROSS BMX, SOUTH PARK, PA
* 4 BRAYDEN KEMPEL, ALPHA, RAMSEY, MN
* 5 DREW POLK, HYPER, AVON, IN
* 6 KYLE JENSEN, ALPHA, TUCSON, AZ
* 7 WESTON MEURLOT, GT, NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL
* 8 RAYNE LANKFORD, FULL TILT/RADIO, HOUSTON, TX

In 21-25 Expert, both Elliott boys battled eachother hard all the way
to the stripe. Jackson (black helmet) had gotten the holeshot, but
brother Nick (white helmet) was all over his back wheel and waiting
patiently to make his move. In the last turn, Nick railed it hard and
cranked to the white stripe, while Jackson cruised across the line
thinking he had it wrapped up. It was CLOSE! ...and would have to go to
video. In the end, Jackson held on to this lead and scored the red No.1
plate.

In all, the 2020 Race of Champions was incredible. Congratulations to
all new holders of the red #1 plates. Be sure to watch replays of the
action on YouTube.com/usabmxvideos
__________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: PRO CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

Due to the dreaded 'Rona virus, USA BMX had to use a different method
to determine the No.1 Pro titles in 2020 - comapred to all previous Pro
points-chases since 1979. The COVID crisis had forced them to cancel
the regular Pro series way back in April, and it switched up the way
the three silver Cups would be decided. This time around, it would be a
one race only with three mains, to decide the Champion for the entire
year.

ie: Make the main at Grands, and you've got a shot at overall No.1 thru
8.
For 2020, there would not be a No.9 Pro or lower ranking. Your finish
in the main would be the same as your overall ranking.

After all the dust had settled, we wound up with the same three Pro
Champions from last year; but it didn't look like that would happen
considering the first mains. In the first mains, Full Tilt-Radio's
awesome Aussie, Josh McLean, scored a surprise first-main win, ahead of
Fields. Could he do it two more times? The answer was, unfortunately,
no. In Pro Women, Supercross' Felicia Stancil won the first two mains -
holding off the hard-charging Alise 'da Beast. At that point, you'd
assume that we could possibly witness a new Pro Champion being
crowned.

But our defending Pro Champions - all who adorned the front cover of
the Grands issue of PULL magazine, know how to handle the boiling
pressure of Grands mains. They've done it before and they know exactly
what they need to do in order to keep that #1 on their plates.

Defending 2-time Champ Connor Fields won it with a 2-1-1 in the mains;
with nobody even coming close to his 4 points overall.

AA PRO - GRANDS main (w/30 riders)

* 1 CONNOR FIELDS, CHASE BMX 2-1-1 in the mains (4 pts)
* 2 JORIS DAUDET, CHASE BMX 5-2-3 in the mains (10 pts)
* 3 ALFREDO CAMPO, ALCAVI 6-3-2 in the mains (11
pts)
* 4 JOSHUA MCLEAN, FULL TILT/RADIO 1-6-4 in the mains (11 pts)
* 5 ANTHONY BUCARDO, HARO BMX 3-4-5 in the mains (12 pts)
* 6 ANDERSON SOUZA, SPEEDCO 4-5-6 in the mains (15 pts)
* 7 JEREMY SMITH, STAYSTRONG/CORSA 8-7-7 in the mains (22 pts)
* 8 FEDERICO VILLEGAS, MENDOZA 7-8-8 in the mains (23 pts)

By adding a third No.1 Pro title in 2020, this was Con-man's first
back-to-back USA BMX Championship. He is the eighth Pro in BMX history
to win consecutive No.1 plates. Mor eimportantly, it was Connor’s third
USA BMX Pro Title - putting him in the same league as Bubba Harris, Sam
Willoughby and his Chase team mate Joris Daudet.

Defending 8-time Champ Alise Willoughby battled it out with Supercross'
Felicia Stancil for this year's National Championship. After getting
2nds in the first two mains (4 pts) - against Felicia's two wins (2
pts), Willoughby was feeling the pressure and knew what she had to do.
Alise again found herself in the 2-spot going into the first turn, but
came underneath Felicia with a slight rub; just enough to take over the
lead and back Stancil off her pace. At the same time, former No.1 Pro
Woman and Olympic Gold medalist Mariana Pajon snuck underneath to take
over second place.

In the end, Felicia and Alise were tied with 5 points each, which menat
going to the tie-breaker of best-finish in the third round. This was
Alise's ninth USA BMX Pro title (and seventh consecutive #1) …and 13th
title all together, when you add in her four silver Cups as an Amateur.
Having turned Pro at the young age of 15 (in 2006), the now 29-year-old
BMX legend capped off her 15th year as a BMX pro.

WOMEN PRO - GRANDS Main (w/18 riders)

* 1 ALISE WILLOUGHBY, PROMAX/GW/TLD/TOYOTA, CHULA VISTA, CA
* 2 FELICIA STANCIL, SUPERCROSS BMX, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
* 3 MARIANA PAJON, KATY, TX
* 4 LAUREN REYNOLDS, FACTORY ANSWER, SAN DIEGO, CA
* 5 ASHLEY VERHAGEN, FULL TILT/RADIO, PHOENIX, AZ
* 6 DALENY VAUGHN, 316 RACING DK BIKES, TUCSON, AZ
* 7 RACHEL MYDOCK, REMIX BMX, PHOENIX, AZ
* 8 BROOKE CRAIN, HARO BMX, VISALIA, CA

Consider it sweet redemption for your defending 2-time Vet Pro Champ
Tyler Brown. After last year's controversial ending - when Tyler won
the title thanks to a DQ against his closest rival - "The Mosquito,"
Jonathan Suarez, in the third main, this year went much, much better
for he and his DK bike.
The fans on both sides were anxious to see how this year's title-bout
would play out.

Earlier in 2020, Tyler took over a second BMX track in the San Diego
area - the infamous Kearney Moto Park, and is now running that venue
along with Chula Vista BMX. His title of "World's Fastest Track
Operator" lives on, with this third National No.1 Vet title.

VET PRO - GRANDS Main

* 1 TYLER BROWN, 316/DK BIKES, SAN DIEGO, CA
* 2 JONATHAN SUAREZ, ALPHA, CORAL SPRINGS, FL
* 3 BARRY NOBLES, STERRETT, AL
* 4 SERGIO SALAZAR, MEDELLIN
* 5 CARLOS MANRIQUE, FLORIDA ANSWER SSQUARED, MIAMI, FL
* 6 ANDRES JIMENEZ, BOGOTA
* 7 MIGUEL CASTRO, ALLTOW WRECKING CREW/YESS, CLEARWATER, FL
* 8 MATTHEW WILCOX, MUDSLINGER BIKE SHOP, DENVER, CO

__________________________________________________________________

SATURDAY'S - GRANDS FIRST & SECOND ROUNDS

Since 2013, the USA BMX Grands moto-count has been in the 700-range.
The last time Grands had motos in the 600's was 2012 - with 678. For
this crazy-Corona virus season, Grands turnout hit 674 ...only four
less than what we had eight years earlier.

Pretty impressive turnout, considering everything that has been going
on in the World - right?

Saturday this year - the first day of Grands, was ran different than
previous years. Both first and second rounds of motos (with the
exception of 2nd round o' Opens) were completed ...and people still got
out of the arena at a decent time for eating out and getting to bed
early.

In actuality, the chases for No.1 Amateur titles in boys and girls 20"
and men and women Cruiser began at the drop of their first moto. The
majority of Top-10 contenders, who all adorned the big 9-foot tall
banners that hung from the rafters alongside the first turn, all looked
impressive and made it thru their rounds with ease.

When we talk about grands, it's usually focused on winning and earning
a No.1 plate. But the Grands experience is more than just that. It's
about spending a short-week with your friends, team mates and family.
And most of all, it's about having FUN.

A prime example of this would be Answer's Marshall Gehrke. Although he
was in the title-chase for No.1 Amateur, the kid's main goal - first
and foremost, is to always have fun. The Major's idea of having fun
usually involves X-ups or bar-humps over the biggest set of doubles he
can find. But for Grands, his lifetime-goal of having a "RAD" movie
moment came true, when he backflipped (not once, but twice) during a
race. The first time, was on a Ssquared 26"er MTB, during his first
round of ROC motos. In an actual race, in first place - and he flipped
out. Cru Jones would be proud!



__________________________________________________________________

SUNDAY - GRANDS FINALS

This is IT.
The day of reckoning.
The day when we discover who becomes National No.1 Amateur, Girl,
Cruiser and Girl Cruiser ...as well as No.1 Bike Shop and Factory Team.
All of the cards were on the table and whether you were up for a No.1
title in National or NAG, or just out to make your Grands main, now was
the time to step it up and get in the zone.

The stage was set ... (the National Stage, that is). Six silver Cups
were left to be handed out by the end of the day. If there were ever a
time to perform at your very best, it was NOW.

After the final qualifier rounds of Mixed and X-Opens were ran, we got
right into the 8ths, quarters and semi's. For the most part, nothing
shocking went down. About the only big upset came in
















13 EXPERT - GRANDS Main (w/63 riders / 11 groups)

* 1 COLE FREDERICK, FULL TILT/RADIO, NEW ULM, MN
* 2 JUAN MANOSCA, BAY AREA BMXERS, POPAYAN
* 3 JOSHUA WHITE, SUPERCROSS BMX, KINGMAN, AZ
* 4 SAWYER SIDES, SSQUARED NATIONAL, BARTLETT, TN
* 5 BRAYDEN DELANY, POWERLITE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
* 6 CONNOR EATON, HARO/DVIDE, VALENCIA, CA
* 7 TARIN FIELDS, ALPHA, NEWMAN LAKE, WA
* 8 SEAN DAY, FULL TILT/RADIO, TACOMA, WA



14 EXPERT - GRANDS Main (w/63 riders / 11 groups)

* 1 RONNIE KIM, FACTORY BOX COMPONENTS, CORONA, CA
* 2 TRUE BAILEY, RACEFAST, LAKE TAPPS, WA
* 3 CEDRIC CADE, BMX SHARKS, LAS VEGAS, NV
* 4 MARSHALL GEHRKE, FACTORY ANSWER, ANTIOCH, IL
* 5 THOMAS MARTINEZ RESTREPO, ITAGUI
* 6 PARKER RESPASS, FACTORY HYPER, CHESAPEAKE, VA
* 7 WYATT WORTH, FACTORY REMIX, COALINGA, CA
* 8 ANDREW RASSI, FACTORY REMIX, REDWOOD VALLEY, CA




15 EXPERT - GRANDS Main (w/69 riders / 12 groups)

* 1JOSHUA TRERISE, FULL TILT/RADIO, SHERWOOD, OR
* 2JAYCE BARTLEY, LDC, MILWAUKIE, OR
* 3ETHAN POPOVICH, MUDSLINGER BIKE SHOP, VALPARAISO, IN
* 4SIMON ACOSTA, BAY AREA BMXERS, MEDELLIN
* 5MARCUS (MANIAC) MOORE, BLACK WIDOW BMX, ANDOVER, MN
* 6ROCCO PESATURO, JRBICYCLES.COM/SPEEDCO/AVIAN, ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL
* 7DREW ENGLER, FACTORY HYPER, BLUE SPRINGS, MO
* 8CUTTER WILLIAMS, FACTORY HYPER, POTOMAC FALLS, VA





16 EXPERT - GRANDS main (w/53 riders / 9 groups)

* 1 BRODY COLE, FULL TILT/RADIO, SPRING, TX
* 2 SANTIAGO SANTA, BAY AREA BMXERS, MEDELLIN
* 3 FRANCO MOLINA, SAN JUAN
* 4 BLAISE PEREIRA, ALPHA, MARRERO, LA
* 5 JUAN PAULO CHAPARRO, TEAM W-ELITE BMX, MEDELLIN
* 6 CEASAR FLORES, LDC, ATWATER, CA
* 7 NOLAN CARDWELL, RIVAL RACING, BELMONT, NC
* 8 PEDRO BENALCAZAR, CUENCA




17-20 EXPERT - GRANDS main (w/85 riders / 15 groups)

* 1 GONZALO RENGEL, J&R BICYCLES.COM, QUEVEDO
* 2 TYLER MCGUIRE, ANSWER, GARDEN GROVE, CA
* 3 KYLE JENSEN, ALPHA, TUCSON, AZ
* 4 JOSEPH LETO, ALLTOW WRECKING CREW/YESS, MYAKKA CITY, FL
* 5 NICHOLAS ADAMS, ROCKSTAR RIFT TANGENT, ORANGEVALE, CA
* 6 GUSTAVO JOSE VICUNA NIETO, J&R BICYCLES.COM, AZUAY
* 7 WESTON MEURLOT, GT, NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL
* 8 JAMES PLUMMER, BLACK WIDOW, SAINT FRANCIS, MN










--- up 1 day, 7 hours, 58 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (24:150/1)