joined Martin on the podium with the silver in the women’s event and David Herman (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Intense BMX) escaped a finals crash to collect the fourth medal of the day for the USA. "Our BMX program had an amazing weekend with many first time accomplishments,” said USA Cycling BMX Programs Director Mike King. “We accomplished the unthinkable by winning all four gold medals - both the time trials and women's and men's finals.
Also, having Connor Fields and Arielle Martin win their first Supercross race was a long time coming. Watching Brooke Crain win her first time trial and following that up with her first SX podium was indicative of all her hard work. It is a testament to the entire program and the amazing staff that helps support these riders in their development.” 
Men’s Final Fields, the favorite going into the final, must have felt very confident as he took the lead in the first turn of the final to never looked back. That was perfect timing as just behind Fields, in that same corner, drama occurred. A big pile up of riders, including round three bronze medalist Nicholas Long (Lakeside, Calif./Haro-Rockstar) ended U.S. hopes of a podium sweep. Fields stayed ahead on his way to victory and only Raymon van der Biezen (NED) and Herman passed the pile of men to claim second and third. With Strombergs (LAT), Van Gorkum (NED), Treimanis (LAT), Long, Barry Nobles (Wetumpka, Ala.) still on the asphalt. Nobles recovered to earn fourth and Long finished seventh.
Fields rode very strong and determined all day and deserved the victory. Yesterday’s time trial winner won all three qualifying motos and only seemed challenged by 2008 Olympic champion Maris Strombergs (LAT), who returned after being out most of the year due to injury. Australian Sam Willoughby was also a force to be reckoned with, but crashed in the semi final alo
ng with world champion Joris Daudet (FRA) and former champion Khalen Young (AUS). “This feels a hundred times better than I could have ever imagined,” said Fields. “Winning a big race like this, especially after what happened at the World Championships last year in Africa. For the first turn it was my plan to be on the inside and not to hit the brakes and that is what I did. I was not aware on what happened in the fist turn and was not going to look behind me.”
Elite Women’s Final
Arielle Martin (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Intense BMX) was the fastest out of the gate in the final race of the elite women’s main. She took the first straight and went on to a convincing win. The veteran American rider, who just missed the Olympic team in 2008, was extremely happy to win a Supercross title in her home country. “Yeah, no words can describe it; I am pretty thrilled,” stated Martin. “This is a long time coming; ever since this race came here I wanted to win it. Last year I came unclipped, or the year before I did not go so great. This year it came together for me. In the final I put my hea
d down. I just battled and came across the second jump and no one was in my field of view. I cut inside into the first corner and I just laughed, laughed out loud until the finish.” American Brooke Crain (Visalia, Calif./Haro-Rockstar), who won yesterday’s time trials, was also second in today’s finals.
“I was never was on the podium before so silver is really exciting for me,” said Crain. “I am really glad that Arielle was the one that beat me. Good to see her do it.”
UCI BMX Supercross World Cup #4 Chula Vista, Calif. Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2011
Elite Men
1. Connor Fields (Henderson, Nev./Chase BMX)
2. Raymon Van der Beizen (NED)
3. David Herman (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Intense BMX)
4. Barry Nobles (Wetumpka, Ala.)
7. Nicholas Long (Lakeside, Calif./Haro-Rockstar)
Semifinal
10. Joshua Myers (Treasure Island, Fla.)
15. Mike Day (San Diego, Calif./GT-Red Bull)
Elite Women
1. Arielle Martin (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Intense BMX)
2. Brooke Crain (Visalia, Calif./Haro-Rockstar)
3. Mariana Pajon (COL)
7. Amanda Geving (Largo, Fla./Endeavor-Rip XX Racing)
Semifinal
9. Danielle George (Palmdale, Calif./Supercross BMX)
14. Felicia Stancil (Lake Villa, Ill.)
16. Amanda Carr (Punta Gorda, Fla./Endeavor-Paul Williams)
Pics by Craig Dutton/UCI
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.