ABA Southwest Nationals Las Cruces, NM March 9-10

Round 5 of the 25 National event series for the ABA's 2002 race season was held this past weekend in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Upon arrival at the track, it was a nice site, as the local crew has done a great job building up one of the ABA's best year round racetracks. The challenging course included a pro sized decision maker, made the Las Cruces track a favorite of many of the pro's. Here is how the Double A Marketing Pros who made the mains finished up:

Thomas Allier had a great weekend in Las Cruces and maybe because its one of his favorite tracks in the USA. On Saturday, Thomas was in the AA main and placed 5th overall. On Sunday, it looked like Thomas of the past with a huge win in AA Pro. Thomas was plagued with injuries last season, but look to have regained his form. Thomas' sponsors include Giant, THE, Oakley, Sun Ringle, Marwi Spokes, Headlock, Revenge, Champion Nutrition, WD-40, Hot Wheels, IRC Tires, ACS Claws, Troy Lee Designs, and BMXpros.com.

Christophe Leveque sported the new GT Team Jersey this weekend and he was in all the main events of the classes he entered. On Saturday, it was a 4th in AA pro and a win in Pro Open. On Sunday, he only raced AA pro, where he placed 3rd. Christophe's sponsors include GT Bicycles/Speed Stick, Fox, Sinister/Marzocchi Steering Systems, King, Sun Rims, ATI, Smith Eye Wear, Marwi Ti Spokes, BMXpros.com, Revenge Sport, S & M Slam Bars, Powerbar, Champion Nutrition, and Troy Lee Designs.

Warwick Stevenson has picked up speed and Las Cruces showed it a lot. On Saturday Warwick was in both the AA main and the Open main placing 3rd in both. On Sunday, it was a win in Pro Open for young Podge and a 5th in AA. Warwick's sponsors include Diamondback, Thor, ATI, FSA Headsets, Answer, AC Components, IRC, Ballistic, Dope, Vans, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, Ballistic, Head Lock, and BMXpros.com.

Jamie Staff was in a main each day in Las Cruces. On Saturday it was Pro Open where he placed 4th overall. On Sunday, it was pro open once again, but this time, Jamie settled for 8th overall. Jaime's Sponsors include Haro, Adidas, No Fear, Lee Pipes, O'Neal Helmets, Tangent, AC Components, Smith Eye Wear, Revenge, Champion Nutrition, Answer Forks, Shimano, Powerbar, Kicker, Bob's Stores, BMXpros.com, and Headlock.

Wade Bootes decided to race on AA pro this weekend and he was in the main event on Saturday. Wade placed 7th overall, but got in some excellent training for the upcoming Mountain bike season. Wade's Sponsors include Trek, Volkswagen, O'Neal, Oakley, AC Components, Vans, Bombshell, IRC Tires, THE, ATI, Marwi, Powerbar, Head Lock, Powerbar, Toolshed, BMXpros.com, WadeBootes.com, and Champion Nutrition.

ABA Las Cruces Pro Results
AA Pro Saturday
1st - Robert Dewilde- Giant
2nd - Kyle Bennett- Nirve
3rd - Warwick Stevenson- Diamondback
4th - Christophe Leveque- GT Bicycles/Speed Stick
5th - Thomas Allier- Giant
6th - Levi Nordmark- Haro/Lee Pipes
7th - Wade Bootes- Trek/VW
8th - Dale Holmes- O'Neal/Atomic

AA Pro Sunday
1st - Thomas Allier- Giant
2nd - Kyle Bennett- Nirve
3rd - Christophe Leveque- GT Bicycles/Speed Stick
4th- Dale Holmes- O'Neal/Atomic
5th - Warwick Stevenson- Diamondback
6th - Robert Dewilde- Giant
7th - Brian Schmith- Mongoose/Hyundai
8th - Christian Becerine- Nirve