The American Bicycle Association hosted the SO. CAL. Nationals this past weekend, February, 6-8 in Lake Perris, CA. This weekend was a test to see who the hard-core BMX racer were. Mother nature threw us curve was some rain, wind, mud, and cooler temps for the weekend. But, that didn't stop the BMX faithfull. The riders, families, fans, and industry still showed up in full force to an amazing 221 motos! Thanks to the efforts of the Lake Perris BMX crew and the weather savvy ABA BMX national crew the show would go on! The racing at the SO. CAL National event was INTENSE to say the least! A stacked international field in the AA PRO - Elite ranks was just INSANE! There have been record turn outs in the premier class this season and the fans, industry and media are just lovin it!

With 2009 being the debut of UCI Continental events with ABA BMX racing, the buzz is all around. There`s lots of media on hand and many of the sports top athletes from around the world were on hand to take a shot at getting some much needed points towards the UCI ranking and ABA BMX titles. The first UCI event of the 2009 season was ruled by GT`s Mike Day. The second UCI event of 2009 would be ruled by GT`s Joey Bradford. Joey`s got to be THE most improved AA PRO/Elite for this season picking up his first AA PRO win in Reno and now picking up his first UCI Elite in Lake Perris. Coming in a very, very close 2nd to Joey Bradford was current UCI World Champion and 2008 Olympic GOLD medalist Maris Strombergs. Maris is settling in to his new Free Agent ride and seems to be adapting well to the racing here in the USA. To round out the UCI podium for the day would be MR. CONSISTANT himself, GHP`s Randy Stumphfhauser. Randy`s always a threat to win at any event he attends and he`s one of THE most professional guys out there!

JR. Elite would be owned once again by Redline`s Denzel Stein. Denzel has been the man to beat in this class thus far this year. Free Agent`s new wonder kid, Connor Fields rode a solid race and finished 2nd and back from injury for the 2009 season, Redman`s own Corben Sharrah continues to impress the fans with a respectable third.

Elite Women went down like this, ABA National #1 Ladies PRO, Dominique Daniels keeps her streak alive and makes it two in a row for the top UCI podium spot. Second went to GT`s Arielle Martin. Arielle was fresh off the JR. Development camp down at the Olympic training center in Chula Vista, CA. and it looks to have paid off for her. She`s been getting use to her new GT ride and she`s been representing the GT brand very well both on and off the track. Third went to Stephanie Barragan. Stephanie`s always a solid podium contender and can never be counted out for the win!

ABA BMX PRO points day one saw 2008 Olympic Silver medalist, Mike Day take his second win of the ABA BMX season. With this win Mike steps into the ABA BMX PRO points lead for the first time in his PRO career. Mike proved to the fans that he`s a MUDDER for sure! Clayborn`s, Barry Nobles kept Mike in check with a solid 2nd place finish. Barry had a rough January on the race scene, but he looks to have his old "Alabama Slamma" swagger back in February. The third place podium spot went to Answer`s favorite son, Travis "The Rock" Ohrazda. This was Travis`s first ever AA PRO podium in his young career and I can tell from the way he`s been riding this season it won`t be his last. Travis shocked a lot of big names in Lake Perris and he`s definitely a rider that`s on the BMX radar from here on out.

On the Ladies side once again defending Champ, Dominique Daniels took the top honors in the class. A very impressive second went to Clayborn Bikes "Insane" Brooke Crain. Brooke`s been a rookie PRO sensation this season and now sitting number two in the PRO Ladies points. Third went to Stephanie Barragan once again. Stephanie looks to be a rider we can expect on the box at each ABA BMX event this season. There`s new crop of ladies PRO`s this season looks to be a great addition to the class. They have really help to elevate the ladies racing thus far.I can hardly wait to see who ends up the champ this year!

Vet Pro was stacked as well. The VET PRO class has become a who`s who in BMX titles of the past. Names like John Purse, Dale Holmes, Greg Romero, Jason Carnes, Kenth Fallen, Eric Rupe, and so on , and so on. It really is a exciting class to watch. GHP`s John "The Jackal" Purse nailed down the win on day one taking his win streak to 3-in-a-row. But Free Agent`s Dale Holmes broke the streak on Day two by taking the win. Both Jackal and Dale traded out first and seconds for both days. That left the third spot open on the podium for Utah`s own Todd "TP" Parry. Todd`s jumped back in the VET PRO Class after a year of battling out out with the A PRO`s at 40 years old. Todd`s 41 and riding a GHP for his home city of American Fork, Utah. Day two saw "Coach G" Greg Romero back on the podium. Coach G`s been making it out to more events this season and looks to be making his presents known. If Coach G get`s his mind set he just might bring home the 2009 ABA BMX VET PRO title. Things are only going to get tougher for this class. It`s starting to look more and more like the AA PRO class of the 90`s out there. I hear rumors of a few other ex-AA`s that might be stepping back into the ring. I for one am pumped to see all the guys back out on the track!

PRO Cruiserr went down like this Clayborn`s Barry Nobles was not to be denied this weekend. He was riding way to fast to not win something. Barry laid down a super hot lap and took the PRO Cruiser win over Crupi`s Tyler Brown. I would add Tyler Brown as a much improved AA PRO this season as well. Both Tyler and Joey have really stepped up their game for 2009. The last podium spot went out the Arizona`s Joe Sowers. Joe`s took some time off to get his school back on and it was great to see him back out on the track. Pro Cruiser podium first time back aint to shabby Joe!

GO211.com has tons of videos posted from the ABA BMX SO. CAL. Dollar National weekend!

Check it out at: http://www.go211.com/u/socalnationals2009/

The ABA would like to thank all the participants, families, teams, sponsors, and BMX industry for helping make the Lake Perris, CA. event such a huge success!

Rider ABA BMX PRO wins after SO. CAL. Dollars Nationals –

AA PRO

Mike Day – GT Bicycles – 2

Joey Bradford - GT Bicycles - 1

Kyle Bennett – Free Agent - 1

Woman’s PRO

Dominique Daniels – 4

Stephanie Barragan – 1

PRO CRUISER

Barry Nobles – Clayborn Bicycles - 2

Tyler Brown - Crupi – 1

Danny Caluag – BAWLS/Intense - 1

VET PRO

John Purse – GHP - 3

Kenth Fallen – Supercross - 2

Dale Holmes - Free Agent - 1