Multiple events over two days draw freestyle pros from around the world
TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 8, 2023)—Dozens of USA BMX Freestyle riders will descend on Tehachapi, Calif., in October for a unique international elite competition combined with the final stop for the USA BMX Freestyle National Series Finals.
All events will be held Oct. 21-22 at the iconic Woodward West at 28400 Stallion Springs Drive in Tehachapi, Calif. It is the eighth and final stop for the USA BMX Freestyle National Series, expected to draw approximately 100 amateur freestyle riders. The elite competition is a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Category C1 sanctioned event available to Elite athletes. Based in Aigle, Switzerland, UCI is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. This elite competition is expected to attract Olympic hopefuls including Marcus Christopher and Justin Dowell.
“With the recent cancellation of the two UCI World Cup events on the overseas schedule, it was imperative that USA BMX support the efforts of USA Cycling by offering riders around the world additional opportunities to gain the coveted Olympic ranking points for the 2024 Olympics in Paris,” said Shane Fernandez, president of USA BMX.
There will be myriad opportunities to watch (and ride) with the pros all weekend.
Friday morning opens with freestyle practice that runs through the early afternoon. Riders of all abilities and ages can participate in an “Am Jam” session sponsored by Mongoose and USA BMX Freestyle. The session begins at 3 p.m. and will be split into different time slots. There is a small fee to ride, and Mongoose will bring at least one of its pros to the event. Also at 3 p.m., the UCI C1 Elite riders take the course for practice, with competition beginning at 6 p.m.
Saturday morning freestyle competition runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The UCI C1 Elite riders will practice from 4-6 p.m. with racing beginning at 7 p.m.
WHAT USA BMX Freestyle National Series Finals
WHEN Oct. 20-21, 2023
Oct. 20
8:30 a.m.: Competition Check-in
9 a.m.: Amateur Practice Starts By Age Group
3 p.m.: Amateur Practice Ends
3 p.m.: UCI C1 Group 1 Practice
3 p.m.: Am Jam (lower age groups)
4 p.m.: Am Jam (upper age groups)
4 p.m.: UCI C1 Group 2 Practice
5 p.m.: UCI C1 Group 3 Practice
6 p.m.: UCI C1 Elite Competition
Oct. 21
9 a.m.: Competition Starts (Age Group/Block Schedule TBD)
4 p.m.: Competition Ends
4 p.m.: UCI C1 Group 1 Practice
5 p.m.: UCI C1 Group 2 Practice
6 p.m.: UCI C1 Group 3 Practice
7 p.m.: UCI C1 Elite Competition
Each category will compete by age/skill blocks. The podium for each category will be after each category's final.
WHERE Woodward West
28400 Stallion Springs Drive
Tehachapi, CA
“The USA is home to some of the best elite freestyle riders in the world, and I’m excited to watch them absolutely shred the hangar at Woodward West for two separate C1 competitions,” said Ryan Nyquist,
USA BMX Freestyle national team coach. “Woodward in general is so iconic and just a great spot for aspiring riders in the amateur ranks to try to compete and win the awards for their class. The fact that we’re hosting these two events at such a historic place is nothing short of awesome.”
NOTE: To schedule interviews with a representative from USA BMX or USA BMX Freestyle, please contact Janelle Brannock at jbrannock@commitagency.com or 480-390-0757.
About USA BMX
Established as the American Bicycle Association in 1977 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ABA is the nation’s largest cycling organization with more than 70,000 members with combined racing and freestyle events at more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across the United States and Canada. ABA empowers and elevates the early stages of bicycle development by creating opportunities through facility development, programs, and national events. As a result, ABA has developed a structured blueprint. A cyclist can progress from humble beginnings on a balance bike to becoming a BMX Olympian by establishing these roots.
Through STEAM, scholarships, freestyle amateur events, the national series, the Olympics and new facilities built across the United States, these four pillars under the USA BMX organization will impact young riders and families: USA BMX Foundation, USA BMX Freestyle, USA BMX Racing and ABA Ethos.
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