Intense/Phantom/On-Trac

Intense/Phantom/On-Trac sweeps first North American UCI Event in World Class fashion!

With several of the United States’ best riders on the team roster, it was to be expected that the Intense/Phantom/On-Trac squad would make their way to Boulder City, Nevada where the first two events of 6 UCI qualifying races for the U.S. squad were being held. The stakes were high as top scores were needed so the riders could earn the right to represent the United States at the UCI BMX Worlds in Victoria, Canada this summer.

With a limited number of positions open in each of the Challenge and Elite classes, all the riders were focused and ready to compete. When the weekend ended, virtually all of the dozen riders who took part found themselves in excellent positions early in the qualifying process and it is a certainty that the Intense/Phantom/On-Trac riders will play a major part in the American team’s bid to win this year’s world championship title. Three of the ladies of Intense/phantom made the trek to Nevada and all of them scored well. 10 year old Kristen Long nabbed two seconds for the weekend. Dominique “Demolition” Daniels came away from the event with excellent scores. She took 2nd Saturday and 1st on Sunday in 14 Girls. She also won 13/14 Girls Cruiser both days, putting her mark on that classes top spot. Shelbi Long also came to race and had her way in 15 Girls going two for two, putting her right where she wants to be atop the table for qualifying in that class.

Several of the boys of Intense/phantom let it be known that they were also in the hunt. Perhaps the most skilled grommet in the U.S., little Bobble-head Christopher Blevins had no problem with the technical track and deep rhythm section of Boulder City. Chris left everyone in his wake and double doubled in 8X and 8 and under Cruiser. Teammates Sean Gaian and Derik Bergh both competed in the 11X group. Seanie scored a useful 2nd Sunday and Derik notched a 2nd and a 3rd which positions him well in that grouping.

Rusty “Razzleberry” Nezvig is probably the fastest 12X in the U.S. right now, if not the world. He set the bar high this weekend winning easily both days. Another of the U.S.’s fastest riders is Billy “Bad Boy” Russell. He completely dominated the 13X class also winning easily both days and he joins Rusty atop the Boys table for their respective age groups.

UCI World # 3 Connor Fields was another rider on FIRE this weekend. The “Conman” won the hyper competitive 14X class Saturday and took 2nd on Sunday. The “Murph-Dog” Kyle Murphy got a surprise when his Dad showed up at the race unannounced on Saturday to cheer on his boy. Kyle rose to the occasion and took the win in 15X on Sunday making Dad and teammates proud! Finally, Nic Long competed in the tough Junior Elite class and snagged a 2nd Saturday. Sadly, his Sunday campaign ended with a “thud” on Sunday when he went down injuring his shoulder. He should be back in action in 4-6 weeks – get well soon!