The following race report is an update from Haro/Live to Play Sports team coach Brendan Arnold:
Supported by Haro Bikes, Fox Canada, and Joyride 150, the team roster includes some of Canada’s best rising BMX stars: Alex Wright, 16, and Emily Macpherson, 16, both from Kingston, ON, and Josh Samells, 15, of Milton, ON.
After a very successful May it was back on the Road for June and July. It all started with a trip to Rockford, IL for the USA Midwest Nationals. Alex and Josh both had strong weekends with taking on some of the world’s best. Josh finished 8th on Day 1 and 4th on Day 2. This was Alex’s first Elite UCI race and he rode well finishing just outside the semi finals.
The following week the team headed to Pittsburgh, PA for the Stars and Stripes National. Josh and Alex both had a strong weekend with Josh taking his first podium of 2014 in the USA. Alex once again had some strong results but finished with 9th place on both days. Emily had some tough luck with a crash but came back to make the main event on Sunday.
Josh and Emily hit the road again the following week to race the Great Lakes National in Detroit, Michigan. Josh had his best result of 2014 with an incredible 2nd place behind former world champion, Nick Deeters. Emily had a strong weekend taking 6th and 7th.
In the final week of racing before a well-deserved break the team headed to Drummondville, Quebec for rounds #3 and #4 of the UCI Canada Cup series. This National series is a very important measuring stick for Canadian athletes and the tam didn’t disappoint. Josh came away with two Gold medals on the weekend, Alex took home the Silver and Bronze medal in U19 Men’s competition and Emily also took home 2 Gold medals in Jnr Development Women. This trip was supported by the OCA.
The team will take a well-deserved 3 weeks off before heading on an Ontario Cycling project to Louisville in late August.
Watch out for these young guns at a track near you, or you can follow them on twitter: Josh Samells tweets at @4jgs, @Alexwright115, and @emilymacp3.
The riders will be back in action in 3 weeks in Louisville and will then start preparations for Nationals in early October. Look out for a super fast Haro Blackout BMX Bike at a Track near you!
Read more updates on team Haro/LTP here.
