Complex to unveil developmental track and National BMX Hall of Fame

CHULA VISTA, Calif. – The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, home of world-class venues and athletes, will be the site for three must-see events this weekend, the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, the American Bicycle Association’s BMX U.S. Open Nationals and the grand opening of the permanent National BMX Hall of Fame.

The UCI BMX Supercross World Cup presented by Swatch is the headliner event Sept. 18-19, featuring more than 150 of the world’s top male and female athletes. Among the riders will be 2008 Olympic silver medalist Mike Day (Santa Clarita, Calif.), 2009 World champion Donny Robinson (Napa, Calif.) and 2008 overall women’s Super Cross champion Arielle Martin (Spanaway, Wash.). A $10 ticket provides spectators access into both Friday (2-10 pm) and Saturday’s competition (5-10 pm). A limited number of tickets are on sale at the U.S. Olympic Training Center Spirit Store and are expected sell out quickly as thousands of BMX fans from around the world will be attending. On Friday, riders will race the clock during the time trials in an effort to qualify for Saturday night’s finals. Prior to Saturday’s finals, athletes will be available for an autograph session at 3:30 pm.

The new U.S. Olympic Training Center Development BMX Track will be christened over the weekend during the American Bicycle Association’s U.S. Open Nationals. Held in conjunction with the UCI World Cup, this inaugural event on the track is free to the public and will take place on Friday, Sept. 18 (2-10 pm), Saturday, Sept. 19 (starting at 8 am) and Sunday, Sept. 20 (starting at 8 am). The amateur races will be held on the new developmental track, and competitors will include riders in categories from ages 6 to 60. The track was built in partnership with the American Bicycle Association and USA Cycling at a cost of more than $100,000. Completed this summer, the development track will provide young riders a place to train, along with creating an opportunity for local children to experience the sport of BMX cycling.

Kicking off the weekend of activity will be the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new National BMX Hall of Fame at the U.S. Olympic Training Center’s Visitor Center, held on Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 am. The Hall’s class of 2009 will be inducted on Thursday evening in a ceremony at the San Diego Hall of Champions, and many of the inductees are scheduled to be in attendance for the grand opening. The National BMX Hall of Fame is a who’s who of BMX and includes riders and industry members who have made notable contributions to the sport of BMX. Each year since 1985, a select few BMX (Bicycle Motocross) riders and industry veterans have been inducted into this elite group of individuals. Developed as part of the Visitor Center, the Hall will be a highlight for the more than 300,000 guests who visit the complex each year.