NO National #1 Big Bear Lake, California May 11-12

The Norba season opener in Big Bear California had a lot of importance for Wade Bootes, as it was not only his first major national event of the year in Dual Slalom, but his return to the downhill circuit for Trek/VW. With Norba also deciding to go with 4 man Mountain Cross style racing from here on out, the winner of Big Bear would become the 2002 Norba National Champion, so there was some added pressure for the race. The OLN network was on hand to interview Wade and the other the top riders as well as film the race action making for one great show that is scheduled to air on June 6th. With a huge crowd on Hand, it made the racing seem even more intense. Wade has been putting a lot of time and effort for this weekend, and it was one of his best ever. Here is how he and Thomas Allier finished up:

Wade Bootes was just amazing this weekend kicking it off in style with the #1 Qualifier spot in Dual Slalom on Friday night. Dual slalom racing puts the top 32 qualifiers out of the 120 who tried to qualify this weekend, into a bracket system that puts the top riders in the bracket against the reversed side of the bracket to wind down to the quickest 2 riders of the race. With some unusual runs, the top bracket, the one Wade was in, seemed to house all the top riders, making it one of the toughest journeys to the finals ever for Wade. But in typical Bootes style, he used his incredible power to run away with the first few bracket wins easily. When Wade met up with Mike King-Haro it made fro some great racing, as King barley edged out Bootes in the first run, but Wade powered his way around king and the time difference plus some in the next round, advancing to the finials, where he met up the 2nd fastest qualifier, Kirt Vories. Once again, Wade was slightly beat in the first round, of some of the fastest and closest dual slalom racing ever in round one, but just as Wade did in the past Round, when it all counted, Wade was unstoppable and unbeatable in round 2 with a super fast run to make up the difference and take home the nights and 2002 Dual Slalom win. You can chalk another tittle up for Wade on his impressive list. Wade also went onto qualify to race the Pro Downhill final and place 48th out of 70, not too bad for a guy who has not raced downhill in 2 years. Wade's sponsors include Trek, Volkswagen, Powerbar, JBL, Rock Shox, Shimano, Azonic, THE, Oakley, Vans, O'Neal, CTI 2, Marwi Spokes, ATI Grips, Tool shed, BMXpros.com, Selle San Marco, E-Caps, Sockguy, Stealth, NoTubes.com, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, Bontrager, Nike, DeMarchi, IRC, Pedro’s, IMBA, Wrench Force, www.wadebootes.com, and King Cage.
BMX Sponsors include AC, Bombshell, ATI, Vans, O'Neal, Marwi, THE, Oakley, Head Lock, Azonic, and BMXpros.com,

Thomas Allier is just plain amazing! Thomas showed up in Big Bear with a new Giant AC bike and got used it really quick, as he was the 10th fastest qualifier in the Pro Ranks. Considering that Thomas last raced dual slalom over a year ago, it seems that this guy can do just about anything very well. Thomas was knocked out in the first round, as he slid out in one of his runs, but if he was to go to more races, he would be a force on the MTB Scene. Thomas' sponsors include Giant, Troy Lee Designs, THE, Oakley, Sun Ringle, Marwi, Chris King, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, WD-40, Lava Soap. Sinister Steering system, Hot Wheels, IRC, Shimano, Jan Sport, ACS, and BMXpros.com.

Dual Slalom Results
Pro men
1. Wade Bootes (Aus) Trek/Volkswagen
2. Kirt Voreis (USA) Haro
3. Brian Lopes (USA) Gt/Fox/Speed Stick/Pizza Hut
4. Chris Kovarik (AUS) Intense/FOX