Nineteen of the nation’s top 15- and 16-year-old BMX riders gathered at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. June 22-29 for the final USA Cycling BMX Junior Development Camp of the 2009-2010 season.
Chula Vista is home to the only permanent Supercross BMX facility in north America, and for many of the kids, like 14-year-old Nicholas Koehler (Tustin, Calif.), this camp was a first introduction to Supercross-style BMX racing.
“It’s definitely a different style of track than the ABA style I’m used to,†said Koehler. “It took a couple of days, but once I got used to it, it wasn’t that hard. I got it down pretty good.â€
The nineteen riders in attendance were invited based on race results and future potential.
“It’s our hope that by acclimating these kids to the Supercross style found at major events like World Cups and the Olympic Games, they’ll be prepared to compete at the sport’s highest level when the time comes,†explained USA Cycling’s Director of BMX programs, Mike King.
According to the camp’s Lead Coach, Brian Fell, the first-time Supercross riders took to the track “like ducks to water.â€
Some of the kids had a harder time,†Coach Fell went on to explain. “But by the end of the week, most of the kids were getting through it with no problem. I’m really impressed and I foresee some possible UCI Supercross winners.â€
The kids got plenty of chances to ride the track every day during their week-long camp. In addition to riding, they attended lectures, did sprint timing training, learned how to lift weights properly, and interacted with the training center’s resident athletes.
We got to talk to some of the other athletes and see what their experience has been,†Koehler said. “Kris Fox, who has been living there for three months, shared some stories with us about the track and how it is to live there.â€
Koehler will be one of the U.S. athletes traveling to the UCI BMX World Championships in Adelaide, Australia July 20-26. After Worlds, USA Cycling will hold its first BMX Junior Development Camp of the 2010-2011 season from August 24 to 31.Â