NBL X-Mas Classic National Sarasota, FL

The 2005 NBL Pro National series kicked off on the day after Christmas, with the first round of racing for the Pros in Sarasota, Florida. Florida has some of the best BMX tracks in the USA, and the Sarasota track is one of them. With just 7 weekends of Pro racing, the NBL series is made for the most consistent riders to have a shot at the #1 Pro title. Last years #1 Pro's Kyle Bennett Elite Men and Randy Stumpfhauser Elite Cruiser, were both ready to defend their titles and along with the other Double A Marketing riders, were some of the fastest racers at the event. Here is how each of the riders finished up.

Cristian Becerine missed practice and almost missed the start of the race on Day 1. But to watch him race the rest of the day, you would have never known it, as he had the track down and made it to the Elite men's main event. Cristian had a good start, but a small mistake cost him a bit, and he would finish 6th. On Day 2 it showed that Cristian had the track wired as when the gate dropped for the Elite men's main he was gone! Boom! From start to finish, Cristian's incredible power and skill amazed the fans and he took home a huge win in the Elite Pro Class. Cristian's sponsors include Crupi, O'Neal, Answer, UGP, ODI, Sun Ringle, Marwi, Shimano, Tool Shed, Powerbar, BMXpros.com, Cyto Sport/Cyto Max, and Thomson Seat Posts.

Randy Stumpfhauser seems to be in every elite and cruiser main at each NBL race and that was the situation in Sarasota. Randy looked to take the lead just as the gate dropped in the Elite men's main event, but was just squeezed out before the turn. Randy had to settle back to 2nd, but a small mistake slowed him down just a bit before the finish and kept him back to 4th for the day. In the Elite Cruiser main, it looked as Randy would take home the win, but just before the last turn, he slid out and crashed, and finished 6th. On Sunday, Randy showed off his consistency once again, placing 4th in Elite men's and this time staying up and finishing 2nd in Elite Cruiser. Randy's sponsors include GT Bicycles, Hyundai, ODI, IRC Tires, Shimano, Fox Racing, Smith, Sun Ringle, Bombshell Forks, AC, Thomson, Powerbar, CTI Knee Braces, Tool Shed, Marwi, SDG, FSA Headsets, S & M, Cyto Sport/Cyto Max, and BMXpros.com

Kyle Bennett seems to excel when it comes to the main event and especially at the NBL Pro series events, and once again he proved how good of a rider he is. On Saturday, Kyle was up front and in 3rd place going into the 1st turn in the Elite men's main event. Kyle rode the track smooth and fast and just missed out of winning the main on a track with little to no passing after the 1st turn. Chalk him up for a 2nd. Day 2 Kyle was in the Elite men's Open main event and he finished up 5th for the day. Kyle's sponsors include Free Agent, KHS, Answer, Sun Ringle, UGP, Truvativ, Velo, Vans, S&M bars, ATI, Shimano, Profile, Powerbar, Smith, Cyto Sport/Cyto Max, and BMXpros.com.

Dale Holmes flew back from England to hit the first round of the NBL series, and he made it a worth while trip, as on day 1 he was in the Elite Men's Open main event. Dale had a good ride and he finished up 5th for the day. On Day 2, he rode even better, as he was in both the Elite Men's and Elite open main event. Dale had a great race and finished an incredible 3rd in Elite Men's, as well as a 7th in the Elite Open main event. Mark down another great weekend for DaleHolmes.com Dale's sponsors include Free Agent, KHS, Kenda, Troy Lee Designs, Sun Ringle, Shimano, S & M, Power Bar, Truvativ, DaleHolmes.com, BMXpros.com, and Cyto Sport/Cyto Max.

Christophe Leveque has ended any doubters about him making a full recovery and race comeback, as his 3rd race in 4 weeks was another great showing. Although his results don't show any impressive overall finishes, Christophe was up front in the motos and just missed out on the main event both days, Its great to see Christophe back on the track and back on track to take home another #1 Pro title. Christophe's sponsors include GT Bicycles, Hyundai, ODI, IRC Tires, Shimano, Fox Racing, Tangent, SDG, Smith, Sun Ringle, Thomson, Marwi, S & M, Cyto Sport/Cyto Max, and BMXpros.com