2005 LG Action Sports Archives | USA Championships 2005

USA Championships BMX Recap
By Chris Mitchell

(October 1, 2005) On Saturday morning, the Santa Ana winds died down, which was good for two reasons. First of all, it enabled the LA County Fire Dept to bring the Malibu blaze under control, and second, it meant that the bike riders would be able to soar without fear of cross winds.

And soar they did. From 16 year-old Zack Warden to 33 year-old Brian Gavagan , all the competitors threw down the gauntlet. Some highlights included Mike Mancuso’s no-handed flair and Ben Snowden’s smooth line of regular and opposite airs. Also, Jim Burgess’s run with his incredible combo of superman to 540 to tailwhip at the end of his run.

Ben Snowden with an X up for the Fair crowds.

Jim was narrowly edged out by Tom Haugen who threw together a tech line of barspin tricks that finished with a remarkable tailwhip to tailtap. Tom and Jim both scored well enough to snag the last two spots in the LG Action Sports World Championships.

Koji Kraft surprised everybody by staying on his bike during his entire first run. He pulled an opposite 540, a tailwhip and a couple of solid barspin tricks to finish with an 89.25. Then, in his second run, he attempted a double bar spin, but came in toboggan. Somehow, he righted himself but sailed off the side of the ramp into an innocent cameraman who dropped his $50,000 Beta cam to try to protect Koji . Luckily, nobody was hurt and Kraft ended in 4th.

Simon Tabron put together an exciting if cautious line.

Jimmy Walker put together a bold line that included an invert 540, a flair and lots of opposite tricks to finish third. Simon Tabron was riding a little apprehensive after his rib injury and collapsed lung on the Dew Tour. Still he managed to throw down a no-handed 5, a one-handed to turn down 5 and a flair. It was his to win, but he didn’t give up the 900, so the gold went to John Parker who stuck a double whip, a huge superman air and a trick which John hasn’t done since a 1995 B3 event, a flair.

Jack Parker accepts the gold medal for his father.

John’s son Jack was on hand for the medal ceremony, but he refused to comment on his father’s victory.