The post Dennis Howlett – 7-08-1944 – 31-7-2024 appeared first on BMX.NET.NZ.
]]>7-08-1944 – 31-7-2024
Dennis was a true legend in the BMX world, a Life Member of Tauranga BMX and Central Region BMX. His dedication to the sport was unparalleled, and his contributions were countless. From coaching the Mighty 11’s in 1993 to organising major events like the Nationals and North Islands in Tauranga, Dennis was always at the forefront, making things happen.
Dennis wasn’t just a leader; he was the heart and soul of the Tauranga BMX Club. Over more than 40 years, he served on the committee nearly every year, often holding key positions like President. His influence was felt in every corner of the club, like at Easter nationals with him giving all Tauranga club an Easter egg each. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Fondly known for his hip flask and cigarette, Dennis had a unique charm that made him unforgettable. His commentary at races, though sometimes a bit old-school with terms like “powderpuffs” for the girls, was always filled the crowd with enthusiasm and humour, not to forget anticipation of what he might say next!.
Dennis’s impact extended beyond local BMX events. He represented New Zealand at BMX Worlds across the globe, from Brisbane and Melbourne to South Africa, Paris, and Los Angeles. His dedication to the sport was truly international, and his presence was always felt, whether as a competitor or a mentor.
Even in his later years, Dennis’s passion for BMX never waned. Despite his failing health, he attended the 2022 North Island Championships in Taupo and of course, the very first Dennis Howlett Winter Series at his home club – these times though as a spectator, but still supporting the sport he loved so much.
Dennis’s influence wasn’t limited to athletes; he touched the lives of many parents and community members, encouraging them to get involved and support the sport. He was a loyal, dependable, and approachable gentleman who always had time for others.
Remember the joy, laughter, and countless stories he gave us. His spirit will live on in the BMX community and in all the lives he touched.
Rest in peace, Dennis. You will be missed but never forgotten.
The final moto has run, Howlett has crossed the finish line in first place…
and that’s the way it was…
#dennishowlett #bmxlegend #taurangabmx #centralregionbmx #mighty11s #bmxnz #InMemoriam #bmxcommunity
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]]>The post World Series Kiwi BMX champion to step up towards Olympic dream appeared first on BMX.NET.NZ.
]]>The 20-year-old from North Harbour dominated the season-long world series, winning six of nine events across Europe and South America.
Bearman, who has been winning BMX world titles since he was six, intends to make the jump to elite competition, with his UCI World Cup debut to take place on home territory, when Rotorua hosts the opening double-header in February.
Importantly it will provide vital qualifying points for riders to qualify for the Paris Olympics, and is likely to attract many of the world’s best.
Bearman reckons he is ready for the move, buoyed by his winning efforts at the weekend in Argentina where he was third fastest of all riders including elite on the first day and second fastest on day two.
“When I race elite, there will be more fast people around me. But it feels good to know that the speed is there. And I guess it shows me that if I can get it right, then in terms of speed I can compete with the elite riders,” said Bearman.
“It would be silly to expect to jump straight into finals but while I have not set goals for next year yet, obviously I don’t want to just turn up. I want to consistently be in the quarters and semifinals. – may be not the finals but consistently be up there, score some good points, and be able to know I am fast enough to race with them.”
He is not daring to dream out loud about the Paris Olympics, given New Zealand has yet to qualify a spot for male or female riders, but Bearman was thrilled with the weekend news that BMX Racing has been confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Growing up, the Olympics has been my dream. To be able to go to the Games is a huge goal of mine. To compete for New Zealand has always been a dream, so it would be super-cool.
“It is fantastic news it will be in LA, because I feel the sport would loose support if BMX got dropped from the Olympics. It is good news that it will continue because it means that things like support from sponsors will carry on which is important.”
He is not taking much time off, excited about his elite debut when the 2024 season begins with a double round in Rotorua on 10-11 February.
“It is super-exciting to race at home, and having friends and family there will be cool. The atmosphere is going to be amazing because Rotorua is such a huge cycling town. I love the track there – it’s open, long and technical which suits me.”
He is planning a month-long preparation with his coach, former kiwi BMX champion, Kurt Pickard.
“I have worked with Kurt since I was little. I think he is the best gate coach in the world.”
Pickard has a bunch of world-class BMXers in his stable including current world champion Romain Mathieu from France and 2022 world champion Simon Marquart from Switzerland, along with 2023 elite women’s world series champion, Saya Sakakibara from Australia.
“Kurt is super-chilled and we get on well. We work well and I enjoy the training he gives us. We didn’t plan to train as a group but it has been working perfect to be honest.”
Bearman has no time to hang his bike up quite yet, jetting to USA to prepare for the Fall Nationals in South Carolina for his Speedco-Avian pro team, then heading home for a couple of weeks before returning for the Grand Nationals in Oklahoma to finish off his season.
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]]>The post Bearman seals UCI BMX World Cup title with stunning display appeared first on BMX.NET.NZ.
]]>The 20-year-old from North Harbour wrapped up the under-23 World Cup title after winning round nine yesterday, but returned with an even more impressive display to scorch his opponents to claim the final round victory.
The Speedco-Avian professional blitzed the final for his sixth victory from nine finals this year, finishing a whopping 332 points ahead of runner-up Mateo Colsenet (FRA) and 589 ahead of third placed Thomas Maturano (ARG)
“I wanted to go out on a note and show everyone why I am the overall winner, to ride like I can ride, and to show my class,” said Bearman.
“Like everyone, it has taken really hard work, dedication and consistency which is the big thing to win the overall title.
“Now I want to step up and compete with the big boys in the elites. The under-23 is a stepping stone. I am really happy with my year but now ready to move up and try to make a show out there.”
He is excited about preparing for his likely debut in elite ranks when Rotorua hosts the first double header UCI BMX Racing World Cup in February, which is an important Olympic qualifying event and therefore expected to attract most of the leading nations and riders.
As testament to Bearman’s ability is that his winning time on the first day would have placed him third in the elite men’s final and today his 30.4sec winning effort in the final was second fastest overall.
He won every race today, qualifying top and winning the one-eighth final, quarterfinal, semifinal and final where he was fastest in the snap out of his third lane draw at the gate and rode away from the opposition in a stunning solo display. All his victories today were under the 31-second barrier.
In other racing, Rotorua’s Megan Williams was again impressive in under-23 women, after working hard to grab the final spot in her first round. She was second in the quarterfinal and fourth in the semifinal to qualify for her second straight final where she finished sixth.
Williams, the world championship bronze medallist, has climbed to eighth overall in her first full season on the world cup circuit.
Earlier Cambridge rider Leila Walker made it through to the quarterfinals, but finished one spot out of making the semifinals after she was slow out of the gate.
Fellow Cambridge clubmates, brothers Bennett and Jack Greenough, both qualified in the under-23 men, with Bennett impressive in winning his first round and quarterfinal, but was taken out in a heavy crash in the semifinal. Jack Greenough went out earlier in the quarterfinal.
In elite men, North Harbour’s Michael Bias qualified through the Last Chance heat and was strong in placing third in his one-eighth round, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
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]]>The post Victory for Bearman wraps up UCI BMX World Cup series title appeared first on BMX.NET.NZ.
]]>The 20 year old was in imperious form in the penultimate round at Santiago del Estero in Argentina today, winning all heats, his quarterfinal, semifinal and final, all from the front.
Bearman, who rides for Speedco/Avian in the USA, saved his best for last, nailing the snap out of gate to dominate the final, streaking clear with a clean run to win in 30.44 seconds, a time which would have earned him a spot on the podium in the elite men’s final.
It moves the kiwi rider to 1123 points, over 300 points ahead of second placed Mateo Colsenet (France), which means he cannot be caught with tomorrow’s season ending round in Argentina in the under-23 men’s world cup.
“It’s cool and I’m glad to do it again. It feels good. I like winning and this was another win in the books,” said Bearman.
“Last weekend (at the same venue) was not my flashest weekend but I talked to my coach Kurt (Pickard) back home and sorted some things out. We set some focusses today and ticked all the boxes so really happy with it.
“I was just focussed on keeping it together and doing my thing. A massive thank you to all my sponsors, my coach, parents, family and friends.
“I rode really well today and I am super-happy about it. We are back. This season I have just been having fun, enjoying everything I have been doing, training with a good group of people. The atmosphere where I’ve been training and the people supporting me have been amazing.
“I feel I am in a good place and I’m very grateful.
“I go to America after this to do a race on the Pro Circuit and then go home and begin to prepare for the World Cup at home in Rotorua which is super-exciting.”
Bearman was the only New Zealand rider to progress to the sharp end of the competition today with elite Michael Bias eliminated in the second round of match racing; Cambridge brothers Bennett and Jack Greenough out in the quarterfinals in the under-23; and Leila Walker (Cambridge) crashing in the quarterfinal in the under-23 women.
Megan Williams (Rotorua) had another solid competition, finishing third in her under-23 women’s qualifying heat, third in the quarterfinals but was pipped by just 0.1s in qualifying for the final.
There is a further round at Santiago del Estero tomorrow to conclude the 2023 season.
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]]>The post Bearman maintains BMX Under-23 World Cup advantage appeared first on BMX.NET.NZ.
]]>Bearman, who won the first four rounds of the championship this year, had to settle for sixth place in the under-23 final in Sarrians, France after the fifth round was cancelled due to high winds on Saturday.
The US-based professional remains well clear in the championship on 738 points from Frenchman Mateo Colsenet, runner-up in Sarrians today, 300 points behind the kiwi.
“I couldn’t step on the podium this weekend. But I am happy to be heading into Argentina still holding the overall lead with the black plate in Under-23,” said Bearman.
He won his qualifying race and followed with wins in the first two rounds, and the quarterfinal where he was second fastest of all winners.
Bearman was pipped by 0.3s into second in the semifinal but did not get the best gate in the final and was unable to catch the leaders.
Fellow North Harbour rider Michael Bias qualified in the elite men, and was second in his first round but was eliminated in the quarterfinal by just 0.04s in a race with one second covering all eight riders. Fellow elite Cole McOnie did not qualify.
Meanwhile Rotorua’s world championship bronze medallist, Megan Williams qualified in the under-23 women’s class, but was also eliminated in the quarterfinal, edged into fifth by 0.03s in another super-close race.
Local French superstar Joris Daudet won the elite men’s final, with a French clean-sweep of the podium, while outstanding Australian Saya Sakakibara claimed the women’s elite final.
Riders now prepare to head to Argentina for two weekends of double rounds to complete the championship season, set for 7-8 October and 13-14 October.
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]]>The post New Zealand BMX contenders return to UCI World Cup action in France appeared first on BMX.NET.NZ.
]]>A four-strong group will contest the double round in Sarrians, France with back-to-back double rounds remaining in Santiago del Estero in Argentina to complete the championship series.
Sarrians is in the popular cycling region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in southeastern France, near Mt Ventoux, a famed climb in road cycling.
Leading the way for New Zealand BMXers this weekend is US-based professional Rico Bearman, who has four straight wins from four finals in the under-23 category so far this year in Europe. The world championship bronze medallist has more than double the points on second placed Caster Pipers (NED) and Mateo Colsenet (FRA) with world champion Filib Steiner (SUI) in fifth.
Fellow world championship bronze medallist, Megan Williams from Rotorua is challenging the overall podium in the under-23 women. Williams currently lies in third overall on points after qualifying for three of the four finals including a podium at Papendal (NED).
North Harbour rider Michael Bias, currently 27th in the overall rankings, and Te Awamutu’s Cole McOnie will compete in the elite men’s competition.
Racing in round five begins with qualifying from noon on Saturday (10pm NZ time) with the finals set for approximately 6pm local (4am Sunday NZT).
Round six action gets underway at 10am on Sunday local (8pm NZT) with finals set from 4pm (2am Monday NZT).
Watch on YouTube;
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]]>The post Williams and Bearman podium at UCI World Championships appeared first on BMX.NET.NZ.
]]>The “Super Worlds” proved a successful concept with the UCI staging world championships for all 13 cycling disciplines under its banner over 12-days in and around Glasgow.
The championships were completed today with BMX Racing and the elite women’s road race where the kiwi team fought hard but were unable to threaten the outcome.
The bronze medals to North Harbour’s Bearman and Rotorua’s Williams in the under-23 category brought the New Zealand tally to an outstanding 16 medals over the 12 days including five gold medals.
The New Zealand riders sporting rainbow jerseys from the competition comprise two on the track to Ellesse Andrews (Keirin) and Aaron Gate (Points Race) and three to mountain bike for Sam Gaze (Elite Short Track Cross-country), Samara Maxwell (Under-23 cross-country) and Erice van Leuven (Junior Women’s Downhill).
New Zealand BMX riders added two bronze medals on finals day in Glasgow, going to North Harbour’s Rico Bearman and Rotorua’s Megan Williams in their respective under-23 finals.
In a relatively short first straight, being fastest through the elimination rounds was critical to earn the favoured inside gate for best line to the critical first turn.
Bearman, who has been supreme in World Cup action this year, was third fastest of the quarterfinal winners, to draw beside French rival Mateo Colsenet in the semifinal. The kiwi finished second but without a clean run, he drew in the middle for the final.
He was pushed back to sixth and blocked at the first turn in the final and had to draw on all his skills to advance through to third and the bronze medal behind Filib Steiner (SUI) and Colsenet.
“It wasn’t my best day to be honest but no complaints. I’ve walked away with a bronze medal, although not the gold I wanted. I didn’t feel as good as I knew I could be today,” said Bearman.
“I had an average semi and got a poor lane draw for the final. I made a good start from six but the rider in seven was better and cut me off. So I had to come from the back and manage to salvage a third. It’s a pretty cool weekend.
“I am going home tomorrow and have not been back since March so that’s exciting. I have the World Cup in Sarrians (France) in just over a month, so I will get ready for that and try to tie up the World Cup series.”
Rotorua’s Williams was third in her semifinal to qualify for the big dance, and like Bearman, she did not get the best gate in the final, but manualled strongly to push through to third, and almost caught GBR’s Emily Hutt for second behind winner Tessa Martinez (FRA).
“It’s incredible, just a small town kiwi girl, so to stand up on the podium is special,” said Williams.
“My starts weren’t as good as some of the other girls so I had to stay calm, use my strengths and get in a good position at the first corner so I could use my track speed.
“I will have a couple of weeks off here with my family and then head to Portugal for the next round of the European Cup.”
Cambridge rider Leila Walker, who won her junior women’s quarterfinal, only just qualified for the final when she nabbed fourth in her semifinal after missing the gate. She missed the jump again in the final to be in fifth at turn one, but showed excellent speed to push up to fourth, only 0.2s from a medal.
Of the other kiwi riders, Brooke Penny (Te Awamutu) nabbed the final spot in her quarterfinal but went out in the semifinal while Cambridge rider Jack Greenough won his quarterfinal in the junior men, but got squeezed out on the first turn to end his chances in his junior men’s semifinal.
Fellow Cambridge rider Rico D’Anvers rode strongly to finish second in his quarterfinal, but did not get a clean gate to end his chances in the same semifinal as Bearman.
Olympic champion Bethany Shriever gave the home British fans plenty to cheer about with victory in the women’s elite final ahead of former champions Laura Smulders (NED) and Alise Willoughby (USA).
The elite men’s final gave heart for the Paris Olympics with a French shutout to winner Romain Mahieu from Arthur Pilard and two-time winner Joris Daudet.
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