></ X-Games BMX Downhill Woodward, PA

Woodward, PA is the Mecca for BMX riders worldwide and to have the BMX Downhill event for this years X-Games was a dream come true for all who attended. The entire Woodward and ESPN crew outdid themselves this year with the best BMX track ever built. Massive jumps, some over 35 foot long, filled a 47 second downhill course. The track started out completely different from a traditional BMX track, with a 5 foot drop just out of the starting gate. The riders would get about 1 1/2 rotations of the cranks before the drop, where you had to jump out to hit the backside of the drop off. The first straitaway continued with jumps limiting the riders to very minimal pedaling, but the speeds rivaled any of the fastest BMX track, with just the downhill slope. Riders would then funnel into the first turn, where a a small step jump led them into the next turn. This was the last semi flat section of the course, as now the riders went into the real speed section of the course where a 40 foot drop off jump met them. This was the most intimating jump on the course, then went into a huge bowl turn. This led up a slight uphill section to a few sets of difficult step jumps into a few sets of doubles into the last turn, where 3 sets of the largest doubles ever built on a track sat. The last 3 sets had been giving many riders trouble, but when the riders had them down, it was pure magic to watch.
Riders had a qualifying event on Saturday to give them gate pick as well as set up the moto's for Sunday. This may be the biggest BMX event of 2002, as the show will air on ABC TV in Prime Time on Sunday night as well as ESPN Next Saturday and Sunday. Here is the airing schedule.
Saturday, August 17 Sunday, August 18
4-6 PM on ABC 1-3 PM ABC & 7-9 PM ABC (times are eastern)
Here is how the Double A Marketing Riders did at the X-Games in the main event:

Wade Bootes wasn't able to compete in last years X-Games as he was in Europe for a World Cup race, but as his schedule was open, he was ready for the X-Games. After placing 3rd at the BMX world Championships last week, Wade spent some more time on his BMX bike last week prepping for the X-Games. Wade was in awe as he saw the track for the first time and was having the time of his life in practice with the huge jumps and high speeds. On Saturday, Wade qualified 6th overall and was excited to race on Sunday. As the racing started, it was apparent that Wade was one of the best riders on the track, as he made his way into the main event. When the gate dropped, Wade was looking to make his move into the lead, but a downed rider held him back a little before the first turn, slowing him up a bit. With Robbie Miranda having the track so wired, he powered his way into the lead, while Wade made his way into 4th, Wade rode an excellent race and finished up in the same place 4th overall. Once again, Wade proves what a great rider he is and how versatile he is as well. Wade will be racing this upcoming weekend in Vermont, for the Norba Championship in Mountain Cross, looking to add his 2nd MTB title for 2002. Wade's Sponsors include Trek, Volkswagen, O' Neal, Oakley Eyewear, AC Components, Vans Shoes, Bombshell Forks, IRC Tires, THE numberplates and Pads, ATI Grips, Marwi Ti Spokes, Powerbar, Head Lock, Double A Marketing, S & M Bars, Toolshed Undergarments, BMXpros.com, WadeBootes.com, and Champion Nutrition.

Jamie Staff returned back from England early in the week, from his great week of racing at the Commonwealth Games, where he meddled in 2 different track cycling events. Jamie had a strong showing last year, with a 4th place finish at the X-Games and had proven he can win on the fast BMX race tracks as well as show his skills on the downhill tracks. Jamie once again looked great on the Woodward course and his 10th place in Qualifying times showed he was ready to get into the finals once again. Jamie breezed his way into the main event. As the gate fell, Staff took the early lead and as he entered into the first turn, another rider crashed holding him up just enough for a few riders to get by. Jamie had to come back from almost a dead stop and race back to 6th place by the finish. It wasn't the finish he wanted, but still an impressive day for the Haro/Lee Pipes rider. Jaime's Sponsors include Haro, Adidas, No Fear, Lee Pipes, O'Neal Helmets, Hansen's Energy, Tangent Numberplates and Pads, AC Components, Smith Eye Wear, Maxxis Tires, Champion Nutrition, Answer Forks, Shimano, Powerbar, Kicker, Bob's Stores, Double A Marketing, BMXpros.com, and Headlock.

Randy Stumpfhauser has been ruling the BMX scene this year and 2002 may go down as his best season ever. Stumpy looked at home on the huge jumps a fast track. Many other riders picked him as one of the riders to be in the main event and they were right, as Stumpy easily made his way into the big show. As the gate fell, Randy knew the importance of the first straitaway and tried his best to get out front. Unfortunately, Stumpy bumped another rider, slipped his pedals and went down, not getting the shot to take a top finish in the main event. Stumpy was still honored and happy to be in the main event and land a huge spot in the X-Games Coverage. Randy now will be getting ready for the NBL Grands, where he is battling it out for the overall title. Randy's sponsors include Huffy Bicycles, Fox Racing, Smith Eye Wear, IRC Siren Tires, AC Components, Vans Shoes, Marwi Ti Spokes, Alex Rims, Shimano, Wellgo, Velo, Powerbar, Head Lock, CTI 2, Champion Nutrition, S & M Bars and Forks, Double A Marketing, and BMXpros.com.

Thomas Allier and Warwick Stevenson were also both at the X-Games but crashes kept them both out of the main event. Both riders impressed the crowds with their skills.

Double A Marketing would like to congratulate Robbie Miranda, the winner of the X-Games. He had a ton of pressure on him with the ESPN hype, and his near win last year, and it was a great day for him. Robbie is one of the nicest guys around and is a true role model for BMX.

X-Games BMX Downhill Results
1st- Robbie Miranda
2nd- Kyle Bennett
3rd- Robert De wilde
4th- Wade Bootes - Trek/VW
5th- Matt Pohlkamp
6th- Jamie Staff - Haro/Lee Pipes
7th- Bubba Harris
8th- Randy Stumpfhauser - Huffy