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nothing short of amazing. From the grandstands to the slurry surface, the permanent toilets to the pumptrack, the offices to the amazing lights. The Novant Health BMX Supercross track is ready to take on any big race, World Cup or World Championship, and the sweet southern hospitality makes it even better. Book that ticket soon for the 2017 World's, it'll be well worth it.

Practice started on Thursday. Friday had the qualifying races and the time trials superfinals which were won by Tory Nyhaug (CAN) and Laura Smulders (NED). That's four in a row for the Canadian now. Gonzalo Molina (ARG), Santiago Marin (COL) and Tre Whyte (GBR) won all their three qualifying heats and were looking good on Friday. In the girls class Laura's younger sister Merel Smulders (NED) did the same thing. Three wins during qualifying ain't too bad.

Before the race started on Saturday night, a bunch of parachute jumpers landed on the field next to the track. Three qualifying motos followed straight after for the boys and the girls. The Smulders ladies were in heat one and qualified in first and second for the semi-final. Natalia Afremova (RUS), Brooke Crain (USA) and Yaroslava Bondarenko (RUS) were the top qualifiers in the other motos.

64 Men lined up for the motos in 8 heats. Nic Long (USA) and Twan van Gendt (NED) won all three of their qualifying heats and looked on point moving into the quarte finals. But BMX is BMX and anything can happen at any point. Nic Long for instance received an elbow from Gonzalo Molina in the second turn and was out. Edzus Treimanis finished 8th and did not transfer. Tre Whyte did not make it either and neither did Australia's Trysten Kronk who had transfered as the #1 finisher in his group. Top top it off, Olympic Bronze medalist Carlos Ramirez did not make it to the next round either.

In the semi final Rio's silver medalist Jelle van Gorkom (NED) crashed out on the last straight fighting for a transition spot for the final. Maris Strombergs (LAT) went down in turn one and that was it for the two-time Gold medalist in Rock Hill. James Palmer (CAN) and Justin Posey (USA) on the other hand were first time World Cup finalists. David Graf (SUI) had an impressive turbo boost move on the second straight to shoot to first in the semi. Corben Sharrah showed why he is the leader of the series by winning the other semi. The Final was going to be a good one.

Laura Smulders and Brooke Crain both won a semi in the Elite Women class but the Russians were on their tail. Saya Sakakibara and Leanna Curtis from Australia showed that the future of BMX in Australia doesn't stop if Caroline Buchanan decides to leave the BMX racing scene. Dani George (USA) and Simonen Christensen (DEN) also were sure to score a top 8 in Rock Hill by making the final.

When the ProGate dropped for the final race of the day for the ladies it was Saya Sakakibara who got the snap. Unfortunately for her, she had to start from lane 6 and by the time the girls were in the first turn, Holland's Laura Smulders took the inside and left the first turn in front. Saya wasn't giving up though and was on Laura's tail especially on the third straight. Bondarenko was safe in spot three. Brooke Crain had to come from behind after a little mistake on the first straight threw her back to 5th. She passed Dani George on the inside on turn one but could not get around Bondarenko and finished fourth (again). Smulders' win got her in the lead of the UCI BMX SX World Cup ranking. She'll be showing up with the red leader plate in Sarasota for the final race.

The final race of the day turned out to be a good one. Molina rocketed out of the gate as a man possessed from lane 8 and cut everyone off to grab the holeshot. The Argentinean lead the entire race with Corben Sharrah on his tail followed by David Graf, two riders you don't want behind you in a final race as both of them know how to pass. Molina kept going and with the finish line in sight he made a tiny mistake on the last rhythm section which allowed Sharrah and Graf to come closer. On the line it was Sharrah who had a final jump. The photo finish photo that showed up on the big screen had the fans cheer for Sharrah. The World Cup race victory was his and his lead is now bigger than it was before. Molina got second with Graf grabbing the final podium spot.

With one more UCI BMX SX World Cup race on the calendar this weekend in Sarasota things are looking good for both Corben Sharrah and Laura Smulders. But as said before, anything can happen. Check back in after the weekend and we'll tell you who won the Cups.

BdJ