Elites Go East as NBL 2010 Winds Down

Story By Jim Paiva (with some interjections from MC). Photos By Jim Paiva

A modern day “Ripped Vans Winkle” would be hard-pressed to find a better place than Trumbull BMX take his long nap. The track is an icon for the NBL and the Northeast. 23 years ago, in 1987, Trumbull was host to “War Of the Stars” X. If Ripped had awakened this past weekend to the latest installment to Trumbull’s Constitution Classic, he would have seen some familiar faces in the pits, with East Coast scenesters of yesteryear Ken Aman, Rich Farside, and Crit Plate mogul Mike Rodrigues. Sure there would be some beard scratching sights, like paved turns and clips, but Ripped would adapt.

Weather was an issue from the outset, with Friday’s practice and pre-race being pushed back due to rain. Saturday was a record-breaking scorcher, with temps in the tippy-top double-digits, and 94% relative humidity. You dripped sweat just sitting in the pits. Sunday was better with the max temp only hitting 79. The snack shack made a killing on 30lb bags of ice.

The track is a beaut. Longer than most, a slight downhill first straight starts off with a step-up into a steep tabletop that dumps you into another step into a 90-degree big right hand turn. The second straight features a large step-up that you need to hit smoothly as it sets you up for the two doubles heading into the second turn.

Hit the doubles smooth, and you were set up well for the rest of the race. Come up short, as many did, and they would stop you in your tracks. One of the main questions of the weekend was “Are you jumping the doubles?”

The third straight featured a rhythm section that set you up for the final long straight. Many races came down to the wire and “too close to call” being a common refrain from the tower.

With only one Elite Series race left (Prunedale, CA on August 14-15) before the Elite Finals in Louisville on September 4, Trumbull was a good opportunity to get some final scores in before 2010 is in the history books. As a result, the crowd saw some good pro action in all classes.

On Saturday, Elite Men and Women both had 10 riders. Elite men had household names like Nic Long, here for a rare NBL appearance, Barry Nobles, Tyler Faoro (who, we just learned, is going to be rockin the Profile Factory colors soon–maybe even as soon as the Grands), and Javi Columbo. Nic ended up with the win both days, with Danny C and Matt Kelty getting in for second and third for the Pro Spectacular round. On Sunday, Tyler got there for second, and Kelty repeated in the three slot.

Alaina Henderson was flying high over the doubles all weekend. In the day two Elite Women main, Alaina and Dominique Daniels were side-by-side down the second straight, with 3D on the inside (above photo). As expected, Alaina skied over them, as Dominique kept it on the ground. A situation tailor-made for Dom, really, as she got an extra pedal in and made the most of that muscled-up backside pump that she has the patent on. She led the rest of the way, with Alaina sticking in second, and Madison Pitts gettin in for third. Backing up for a sec, Dom also got the 1-1-1-1 on day one, it was Jamie Lilly for second and Ashley Lynch for the third.

Weston Pope scored twin wins for Dan’s Comp in Super-Ex. Jason Larev was there for second on day one and Allen Currier rounding out the podium. Day two saw Scott McMahon for the Standard Army on the left step, and Matt Beatty on the right.

Masters was pretty thin in Trumbull, with only five riders either day. Spidey Percy Owens seems to have scored a new ride, because he was rockin some fresh threads from the last time we saw him in Nashville. Good news to report back to the new sponsor: Percy grabbed a pair wins. Speaking of sponsors, there is some breaking news in the second slot, as Joey “Gunz” Albright took what will probably be his final laps in the GT uniform. Word is he’ll be replacing Tyler Faoro on the Madera squad, as Tyler moves next door in to the profile tent. Saturday saw Brian Strieby grab third. On Sunday Chris Keller improved by a place, and rounded out the podium.

With moto counts in the 90’s to match the temps, there was plenty of action. As mentioned earlier, Dominique Daniels (Grand Canyon University) was on, scoring perfects both days. 25 others were perfect both days.

Luke Roarty (13-14 Cruiser)
Keith Newell, (30-34 Cruiser)
RC Colon (17-45+ Women Cruiser)
Isabel Diamond (9 Girls)
Kyly Milton (10 Girls)
Abby Mac Leod (11 Girls)
Rochelle Wooding (14 Girls)
Cheyenne Noud (15 Girls)
Angela Therriault (16 Girls)
Arefin Milton (7 Novice)
Ronnie Burwan (8 Novice)
Kenny Parow (14 Novice)
Derek Ellefsen (17-18 Novice)
Eric Yuhas (35-40 Novice)
Gabe Hatem (9 Expert)
Nichoas Cote’ (10 Expert)
Erik Meyer (11 Expert)
Anthony Catlow (12 Expert)
Justin Knapper (13 Expert)
Michael Schneider (16 Expert)
Michael Caldwell (19-25 Expert)
Shawn Di Prete (35-40 Expert)
Michael Schlesinger (11 Rookie)
Jeffrey Badendyck (41+ Novice)
Randy Bitinaitis (41+ Expert)

Nichoas Cote’ (10-11 Open) was more than perfect scoring 3 perfects over the weekend.

Other highlights included 6 Rookie Brady Valliere’s perfect on Sunday, as well as his performance behind the microphone during one of the breaks

Bummer for NBL spokesmodel, Donna Snow. A crash in the first straight in Saturday’s main left her with a broken wrist and elbow. Less than 24 hours prior, she broke the top 10 in the Miss USA beauty pageant in Chicago. From a beauty pageant to staging…we love the dedication, and hope Donna heals up quick.

No one knows what the next 20 years will bring, but chances are, if you find yourself CT in July 2030, we’ll see you in Trumbull.

Check out the 2010 NBL Constitution Classic Photo Gallery

NBL Results Page

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