Hi All,

Just got back from New Zealand where I raced the Oceania Championships in Dunedin.

We landed in Dunedin on Thursday and I got to walk the track. I had heard alot about this track and was really looking forward to finally racing on a real Downhill track. The track was steep and technical and I was finally enjoying riding again.

Sunday morning was the seeding run. This is my first year of racing Elite, so I'm not expecting miracles just yet. I took it easy in my seeding run and managed to seed in 5th place. I was happy with that result and looking forward to pushing harder in the finals. The finals came around and I was feeling great. I took off through the timing gate and heading on down the hill, hitting everything perfectly.

My race run couldn't have been any better, except for one thing, my run was too perfect. It was a really comfortable run and in Downhill, if you want to make the podium, then you have to live on the edge. Your run has to keep you on your toes. Unfortunately this time I didn't make the podium, I finished 6th. 6th is still a good result considering I was racing against some of the best riders New Zealand has produced. I did manage to beat Justin Leov who is ranked 6th in the world, so all is looking good for the world cups this year.

I head off to Italy in 2 weeks, to go into camp with my Ancillotti team before taking on the best in the world at the World Cups. I will keep you all posted on my results overseas.

Cheers
Rhys

• By Allan H
• Comments (0)

---

BREAKING GROUND: BMX DIRT TAKES OVER ABANDONED CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR RED BULL STOMPING GROUND

CHICAGO (March 22, 2010) – This summer, one man’s pile of dirt will become another man’s treasure. Red Bull Stomping Ground will transform an abandoned construction zone into the ultimate dirt playground in Chicago on May 15, 2010. Thousands will be able to witness a BMX dirt competition that will bring the tricks of the trails to an urban mecca, as riders from all over the world will meet in the Windy city to prove who has the best skills.

The abandoned construction site at the corner of Wells and Harrison in the heart of the city will be morphed into a one-of-a-kind BMX field of dreams. With a course designed by BMX legend Fuzzy Hall, dirt jumps will be mixed with found items in the construction site to challenge riders in a truly urban setting. Unlike many contests where the course must be built in several days, Red Bull Stomping Ground will be shaped over 3 weeks, giving ample time for the mind of Hall to run wild. He promises “turns, twists, hips, tons of options and just fun.”

Red Bull Stomping Ground’s style, setting, course and format will establish the top level BMX riders to put their skills on display. Twenty top BMX dirt athletes will be invited to compete and to kick start the dirt contest season, ride with friends, explore the city and show off what tricks they learned in the off-season. The qualifying round for invited professional athletes will take place on May 14th prior to the main event, as twenty five additional riders vie for one of the five open spots in Saturday’s exclusive contest.

This dirt competition will push past boundaries on what is currently possible on a BMX course. Confirmed riders include: Corey Bohan, Anthony Napolitan, Ryan Nyquist, TJ Ellis, Mike "Hucker" Clark, Ryan Guettler and Cam White.

*** Dane Searls also mentioned he has been invited, so you should his name added to that list soon!

RED BULL STOMPING GROUND - WEBSITE

• By Allan H
• Comments (0)

---

PIC: Camilla Stoddart snaps this unique perspective while floating above the course in the Unit chopper!

By now you would have seen our killer HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO from the Farm Jam FMX Contest! But if that isn't enough for you, we have put together a couple of links where you can check out some killer photography from the day!

Camilla Stoddart is a super talented NZ photographer, and lucky for us, has put some of her pics up on her personal blog. She snapped the beauty above while in the Unit chopper, and it gives such a cool perspective of the course, and the massive 150 footer over the hill. Check out her pics HERE

Our buddy Smakker was also on hand from Freerider Magazine, and has uploaded a bunch of his 'B Roll' photographs to the Freerider website. Loads of Unit athletes in there, including an injured Nick Franklin, shredding Levi Sherwood and styling Dane Searls. See Smakker's pics HERE

Finally, EXPN whipped up a bit of story and nicked a couple more photos from Freerider's 'B Roll' selection. Definitely some more bangers in there, so go check them out HERE

• By Allan H
• Comments (0)

---