Golden State Nationals race report

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Right off of the 237 in Santa Clara, high atop a landfill, sits Santa
Clara BMX. Many of us will claim that it's the third most popular stop
in the area - right up there with the 49'ers Levi Stadium and
California's Great American theme park. For those who aren't fans of
football or have a fear of cool roller coasters, then Santa Clara is
the best thing going on in this town, by far.

Santa Clara PAL has been on this spot since the late 90's, and for the
past 20-some years, it has bred its share of BMX Superstars. In recent
years, under the guidance of TO Nick Valenica (who also races for
Factory Supercross) and the Serini clan, the Santa Clara track has been
ranked No.1 in the entire nation - based on moto-count (averaging
around 40 motos, three times a week). Yes; they race THREE times a
week, here - with no "practice-only" days. #RacersRace.
It's no wonder they've got some of the fastest locals on the national
circuit!
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WORLDS QUALIFIER

Friday's race was the second World Qualifier - determining who would
make it on to Team USA, to compete this year in Nantes, France - over
the week of July 26 to 31. Add in these West Coast riders to those
East-Coasters who quallified the week before in Rock Hill, and Team USA
is looking pretty strong for this year's UCI Worlds!

The way the Worlds Qualifier works, is that it's ran like the Worlds
itself - old-school style, with three motos. Onc eyou've made the main,
you'ver qualified for Team USA. If your class had more than two groups,
then you'd have a main - in which you'd likely have a pump-lap.
...unless your name is Rowdy Holzer. Then, you'd still race it out for
the Worlds main event win, just like you'll do in France in hopes of
capturing a W#1.

CHECK HERE to see who made the team. And in case you're wondering
why there's a mechanical elephant on the Qualifier awards, well ....
you'l have to go to France to find that out for yourself.
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NICK ADAMS' PRO DEBUT

After an illustrious Amateur career, where he came close to National
No.1 Am titles and was always in the hunt for NAG numero uno's, Nick
Adams officially made the move to Pro this weekend. After overcoming a
couple of injuries over the past year, we've been anticipating the day
that he goes Pro - and we predict that he'll be a contender for Rookie
of the Year in Golden Crank voting.

Unfortunately, Pro Open in Santa Clara didn't have the usual hitters in
attendance - and Nick stomped 'em all as expected. We can't wait to see
him up against the heavy hitters at the next big one.

PRO OPEN - SATURDAY

* 1 NICHOLAS ADAMS, RIFT TANGENT, ORANGEVALE, CA
* 2 TAYLOR OTTERSON, COCHRANE, AB
* 3 MAKIEVA HOPSON, IMPACT BMX, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
* 4 Mr.T - TERRY TENETTE, REDWOOD CITY, CA
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AMATEUR ACTION






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RAGE ON


In 13x, the quick middle-kid of the Gomolicke clan - Gaige, was no
doubt the dude to beat here in Santa Clara. Flyin' aboard his golden
BABS bike, in the fresh new Bay Area BMXers uni, it's impossible to
miss him on the track. Last year, "Rage-by-Gaige" scored the black No.4
plate - making him the fourth fastest Amateur in the entire Nation, and
at this rate, he will no doubt be up for the No.1 by the end of the
year.

13 EXPERT - 25 RIDERS

* 1 GAIGE GOMOLICKE, BABS, UKIAH, CA
* 2 LUCAS ZHOU, ALPHA, SURREY, BC
* 3 THOMAS TAQUEZ, BOGOTA
* 4 JASON STERLINSKI, RIFT TANGENT, BETHPAGE, TN
* 5 AIDAN RAGLE, SSQUARED, APPLE VALLEY, CA
* 6 TYLER HELSEL, SSQUARED NATIONAL, PASADENA, MD
* 7 ETHAN RAYMOND, IMPACT BMX RACING, LAS VEGAS, NV
* 8 AUSTIN ROCHA, LSG, BEAUMONT, CA

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16 EXPERT SATURDAY - 23 RIDERS

* 1 CEDRIC CADE, IMPACT BMX, LAS VEGAS, NV
* 2 RONNIE KIM, REDMAN, CORONA, CA
* 3 MIKE BRYANT, DRIVEN ELITE, VANCOUVER, WA
* 4 BANYAN HOWELL, BIKEAHOLIX / TANGENT, BEND, OR
* 5 DRAKE VELADOR, HOLLISTER, CA
* 6 JUAN VELASQUEZ, BAY AREA BMXERS, BOGOTA
* 7 GAGE BROWN, ALPHA, BEND, OR
* 8 RICKY CARTER, ROBBY'S/21 PRODUCTIONS, MANTECA, CA




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"YOU GOT POLKED AGAIN"

...said the voice of the USA BMX National circuit, Erick Grindle. LSG's
Drew Polk had just crossed the line with yet another 17-20x win, with
his LSG team mate Valentino in tow. It's been a common theme so far
this year, and the reigning NAG No.1 Champ has been on fire so far this
season - and should be sitting at the top of Amateur points after the
past two weekends of domination.


Polk and his Meybo have a big ol' target on the back of his Seven
jersey, with every big name in 17-20x setting their sights on him. But
whether it's a colossal big-hill super track or a top-notch flowing
local track like Santa Clara, Polk keeps proving that he can't be
touched.

17-20 EXPERT SATURDAY - 25 RIDERS

* 1 DREW POLK, LSG, AVON, IN
* 2 VALENTINO ELIZONDO, LSG, BAKERSFIELD, CA
* 3 JOSHUA TRERISE, FULL TILT/RADIO, SHERWOOD, OR
* 4 BRANDON CRAIN, RENNEN, RIVERSIDE, CA
* 5 BENNY SERENI, NEWARK, CA
* 6 LEVI FOLKROD, REMIX BMX, ARROYO GRANDE, CA
* 7 JACOB TRUJILLO, ANSWER, HIGHLAND, CA
* 8 AMAKYE ANDERSEN, DAYLIGHT, TUCSON, AZ




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