2009 UCI BMX dates and BMX nationals date set

Desoto, Texas to Host 2009 USA Cycling BMX National Championships

USA Cycling announced today dates and locations for the eight domestic events slated to appear on the 2008-09 UCI BMX North American Continental Calendar, as well as the 2009 USA Cycling BMX National Championships.

For the first time, UCI Continental Calendar events in the United States will be contested at American Bicycle Association (ABA) affiliated tracks. The ABA will also host the third-annual USA Cycling BMX National Championships, which will return to Metroplex BMX in Desoto, Texas on March 21.

The 2009 USA Cycling BMX National Championships will highlight the weekend in Desoto which features three consecutive days of world-class competition. The American-only national championships are bookended by a pair of international UCI races. The weekend will begin with the sixth Continental Calendar race of the season on Friday, March 20, followed by the national championships on Saturday and another UCI contest on Sunday, March 22.

The 2008-09 North American calendar opened in Canada last summer with an event in Kingston, Ontario on July 5. After the New Year, the calendar will visit four U.S. locations before the triple weekend in Desoto. Guthrie, Ok. will host the season’s second race on Jan. 24 followed by dates in Perris, Calif. on Feb. 7, Oldsmar, Fla. on Feb. 21 and Phoenix on Mar. 7.

After the weekend in Desoto, the calendar continues with another Canadian date in Airdrie, Alberta on May 23, followed by the final two U.S. stops in Milford, Del. on June 13 and Rockford, Ill. on June 20.

All Continental Calendar events carry Category-3 designation according to the UCI. Only the world championships (Category-1) and Supercross World Cup events (Category-2) offer more international ranking points to competitors. The 2009 USA Cycling BMX National Championships will be a Category-4 event.

Once again, the USA Cycling BMX National Championships will provide an opportunity for Challenge Class athletes to qualify for the 2009 UCI BMX World Challenge, scheduled for July 23-26 in Adelaide, Australia. USA Cycling will publish its qualification procedures in the coming days.

“The ABA is excited to work alongside USA Cycling to host all of the Continental Calendar events in the U.S. next season”, commented BMX Association Trustee and Vice President of the ABA Bernard A. Anderson. “With the recent success of American BMX athletes in Beijing, these events will continue to facilitate the development of international BMX superstars. It is also a great honor to once again host the USA Cycling BMX National Championships in Desoto. Metroplex BMX has proven to be one of the best BMX facilities in the world and will provide an excellent venue for USA Cycling to choose its 2009 Challenge Class world championship team.”

For detailed event information regarding all UCI Continental Calendar events in the U.S. and to register for each event, visit www.ababmx.com .

2008-09 UCI North American BMX Continental Calendar:

July 5: Kingston, Ontario (CAN)
Jan. 24: Guthrie, Ok. (USA)
Feb. 7: Perris, Calif. (USA)
Feb. 21: Oldsmar, Fla. (USA)
Mar 7: Phoenix, Ariz. (USA)
Mar. 20: Desoto, Texas (USA)
Mar. 22: Desoto, Texas (USA)
May 23: Airdrie, Alberta (CAN)
June 13: Milford, Del. (USA)
June 20: Rockford, Ill. (USA)

2009 USA Cycling BMX National Championships:

March 21: Desoto, Texas

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