RACE REPORT - Battlefield Nationals - Apr 2-3, 2011

Tikes on Strider bikes rolled into the Strider World Cup event in Petersburg, VA on Apr 2-3, 2011 at the BATTLEFIELD Nationals. This national event is sanctioned by the NBL, the premier off-road bicycle racing organization. The strider riders negotiated a portion of the groomed, serpentine, dirt race course that is made up of various jumps and rollers that lead into the finish line.



The last vestiges of winter kept the temperatures low and damp during Saturday’s racing action. But the hardy racers were out enjoying a fun-filled, action packed event. The rain took a breather during the final race on Saturday, which had 5 racers in the competition.


Saturday’s Race
They all got off the line in good shape with #661, Evan Kucirek, and #000 , JoJo Zolikoff , taking the point by the end of the whoops. Having participated in the NBL Christmas Classic & President’s Cup this past December, Evan showed great form and consistency in powering over the whoops and through the first half of the race. JoJo kept close to Even, bumping handle bars throughout. He kept his momentum up by continuingly pumping his legs up and on the table top and then edged away by a half bike length to take the win.


Sunday’s Race
The weather improved on Sunday as the rain stayed away and the sun came out. The field included 4 boys and 2 girls with many kids coming to the Strider Rider area to test bikes and play on the secondary and smaller pump track.

Again we had a clean start. Almost immediately we had the racing break up into two packs. JoJo and Evan and Brandon Foxx 662 broke away early. Both groups entertained the crowd by increasingly showing mastery of the sport and dueling with each other. The Strider Cup track is raced on a long whoops section at the beginning that leads into a dirt berm going into the step up table top and then a long glide across the finish line.

Incidentally, Brandon was recruited out of the paddock area when the NBL folks saw him struggling to ride around on his bike with training wheels. He was outfitted with a Strider bike, Nutcase helmet and registered for the race. Brandon had an awesome day riding, playing and racing with his other Strider friends.

The smiles were big as each racer improved on their balance and riding technique. JoJo took the second race as a carbon copy of the first with Evan close behind.

After the trophies were handed out at the awards ceremony, the day-glow sunglasses and bubble celebration began. The kids kept chasing bubbles and chasing each other on Striders well into the late afternoon. All in all, the racing was outstanding and the parents had as much fun as the tikes on Strider bikes. And as the crowd cleared out, seasoned NBL fans could be heard talking about the hotshot young riders racing and mastering the national calibre BMX dirt track.

Results

Moto: 169 - ( Day 1 )

[1] 000 JoJo Zolikoff - Bay Village, OH - 4 Strider

[2] 661 Evan Kucirek Lorain, OH - 4 Strider

[3] 660 Carlos Valdivieso - Centreville, VA - 4 Strider

[4] 655 Aesa Sciandra - Saint Louis, MO - 3 Strider

[5] 982 Pixx Bess - Hummelstown, PA - 4 Strider



Moto: 169 - ( Day 2 )

[1] 000 JoJo Zolikoff - Bay Village, OH - 4 Strider

[2] 661 Evan Kucirek - Lorain, OH - 4 Strider

[3] 662 Brandon Foxx - Woodbridge, VA - 5 Strider

[4] 660 Carlos Valdivieso - Centreville, VA - 4 Strider

[5] 982 Pixx Bess - Hummelstown, PA - 4 Strider

[6] 655 Aesa Sciandra - Saint Louis, MO - 3 Strider