GRANDS: The Greatest Race of 2020 Lives up to its Name (again)

Filed under General on December 16, 2020 | Comment(s)

This year's Grands, just like the year itself, was a wild 'n crazy one.

Holding a race of this caliber amidst a global pandemic took a lot of behind-the-scenes legwork from the USA BMX staff and Tulsa Sports Commission. During the months and final weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving tradition in Tulsa, there was always the threat of this event getting canned by Oklahoma's authorities and Health Dept. But in the end, the BMX masses prevailed and the Grands was pulled off - much in thanks to the attendees doing what needed to be done to satisfy the powers that be, to keep the race going 'til the very last National No.1 title was handed out. 

For that, USA BMX says a huge "THANK YOU" to everybody who came to Tulsa and were a part of 2020's great #GrandsExperience. 

GRANDS COUNTDOWN

As far back as August, when the 100 Day Grands countdown first hit social media, there were plenty of rumors concerning The Grands happening in this Year of the Covid virus. The most common rumor was that it would be held in Phoenix; which was never even considered. But as with all National events in 2020, USA BMX did have a back-up or two in their deck, just in case the entire state of Oklahoma came down with the 'Rona right before Thanksgiving.

Working with the City of Tulsa, the Grands schedule was adjusted to spread out the riders and racing over five days, instead of four. Practice woud take place on Wednesday, and the ROC would be held over two days instead of jam-packed into the Longest day on Earth. With this new schedule, the Pro Championship Finals - which would be three mains for one title, was then moved back to Friday night.

With the race starting a day earlier, the pressure was on for the build-crew to wrap up the track one day earlier. The thing that nobody knows is that the Grands track has to be carefully built inbetween one of the largest gatherings of lil' old ladies in the country. The Braum's "An Affair of the Heart" each year brings 450 arts-n-crafty vendors to Tulsa, for the weekend-before Grands. When they inhabit the building, the USA BMX staff isn't allowed to even touch a shovel. Thus, much of the track is built before the ol' ladies set up their tables full of quilts and home decor. As soon as their 3-day event is packed up, our track crew immediately gets back to putting the finishing touches on the track. 

Early Monday morning (5am), the two USA BMX big rigs pulled into the building and TB Awards began assembling the hundreds and hundreds of Grands trophies, while Shannon and Heath began marking off floor spaces for hundreds of vendors and teams who were anxiously awaiting outside to be let in.

By Tuesday, the main vendors were in place and had set up their home for the next five days. Next, the Factory rigs started rolling in to place and the Expo Center was abuzz with Grands fever. FLY Racing had it easy this year, as they dropped off a 40-foot container, and then all Ray Hudson had to do was hit a switch for the hydralic wall to come down as a floor.
While a few teams opted play it safe and decided to not have a pit area this year, the majority of BMXers and teams seemed to be treating this Grands just like any other ... except for the fact that we all had to wear masks and wash our hands for a change. 

2020 GRANDS TRACK

Lead track builders Billy Allen and Lance Maguire on the dozers, along with their tireless work crew of rakers, shovelers, grovelers and packers put in long days and hours to create one of the fastest Grands tracks we've seen over in past decade. This year's track was tough, fair, challenging and would make for some of the best BMX racing we've ever witnessed.

While they considered building classic ant-hill moguls, it was decided that they wouldn't have enough time to dial them in and opted for another oldy-but-goody - the "Z-Rocker" jump. Just like the name implies, it was a giant "Z" made out of dirt, that all riders seemed to love once racing began. Go right and roll the first and double-up on the top of the Z. If you go left, jump the lower-Z and manual through the middle.

For Friday night's sidehack sideshow, the Z-jump would really give them trouble.  

The track was even finished ahead of time this year, with the final packing of the roller going down Tuesday morning. By noon, the build-crew (many of whom also race) and USA BMX staffers had the priviledge of riding the track for the first time. Each of them had a big smile on their faces after each lap, discussing the best techniques for taking the first jump to how to handle the Z-Rocker.
In fact, social media guru Justin Wahl was so pumped to get in some Grands track laps that he skipped having lunch in order to get the only track-time he could before the big show began. 

The split second straight decision maker would see some surprises throughout the weekend and help decide many a race, but not nearly as much as the third-straight rhythm and final turn would. During Sunday's mains, the last turn was where much of the action came down to, and it would be a deciding factor for the No.1 Amateur title.   

WEDNESDAY PRACTICE

Grands practice started at 7am and went on until Pros wrapped up at 10:15pm. That's 15 hours of non-stop laps - and a whole lot of attempts at social distancing on each straightaway, by the leaders of each lap. 

Even during practice, there were a few surprises. Former National No.1 Pro Cruiser champ Barry Nobles was here, and had signed up for Vet Pro. Then, late in the evening the big story was that Colombia's 2-time Olympic gold medalist Mariana Pajon (a former No.1 Pro Woman champion) was here, to take a stab at yet another No.1 USA BMX titles. Could she play a factor in the Alise -vs- Felicia battle? We'd soon find out. (and for those who can't wait, YES - she would).

THURSDAY's RACE OF CHAMPIONS

Coming into this weekend during these "un-certain times" - nobody could predict what the turnout would be. Would anybody show up at all? Would Grands moto-count drop to around 500? ...or would it be about the same? With more States going back into lock-down mode or requiring a 14-day quarintine after travel, there were people in certain states pulling out of the race down to the wire. But then, there were still plenty signing up online at the very last hour. 

When USA BMX posted 563 motos for the Race of Champions - only seven motos less than 2019, it was a strong indication that this year's Grands would be just as solid as any other year. When it comes to earning the red background No.1 ROC plate, everybody wants one.

Surely, it proved that BMXers aren't scared of Covid and that everybody was anxious to get their BMX on. 

Compared to years gone-by, there were plenty of riders who'd previously skipped the ROC to concentrate on the Grands title-chase. But this year, the more race-time you had on the track, the better. Riders like Profile's Rowdy Holzer had qualified and signed up for the ROC this time, which would put a lot more pressure on the King of the ROC - Mason Hayes. On the other hand, prior ROC dominators such as Jason Morris (who'd tripled the past coupla years) was a no-show - giving the rest of his age class an opportunity for a new Champion to be crowned.

Then there were the riders who'd just moved up an age group - like the Elliott twins, Nick and Jackson, who had celebrated their 21st birthdays in August. Welcome to 21-25 X, boys! Usual ROC dominators Shane Harlow and Louie Kaminski would have some tough comp for the red plate this year. 

FRIDAY's ROC FINALS 

It was bright 'n early when ROC mains began on Friday; which was especially nice for a change, when main events in previous years had begun around 8pm and gone on until 10 or 11 at night. What was once the largest single-day BMX race in history, was now the equivalant to a pre-2010 Grands.

Racing for the red No.1 plate always steps up the intensity and like always, main events were HOT 'n heavy! 

The ROC always brings some surprises and upsets, as well as some solid ol' reliable winners. 

Repeat winners included Jemma Tollefson (twice), J&R's Easton Johnson, Alpha'teers Ace Laack and Brayden Kempel, Impact's Preslie Gould, and of course, Elite-Vendetta's Shane Harlow. Although this year, Harlow would only win twice - in 21-25 X-Open and cruiser, compared to his previous ROC triples.
Yess' Sophia Rodriguez also held on to her red plate (twice), while living up to her nickname. Sooooo fast! Then there's C-Yaa's Jill McGuire, who has won so many ROC #1's that we've lost count. 

Deserving new-comers to earn a ROC #1 included BMX Shark Sage Gazan (aka "The Mutant"), Gordy's gearhead Frankie Stubbs,   

If we had to name one team who ruled the ROC, we'd have to say Texas' Premier Racing - in their matching red uni's, owned it. Their riders - from Tyler Shutts (26-30 Mixed), Casey Allen (41-45 Ladies cruiser) and the long, tall Texan Brandon Taylor (who doubled). Between their uniforms and our bright red podium backdrop, they just blended in nicely at the ROC.  

Often, if you do well at the ROC, it can prime your Grands performance. Win on Friday and you will feel good going into Sunday's finals for the titles. Need proof? Take 17-20 ladies, where Full Tilt-Radio's MacKenzie Gayheart. Her domination in the main, leading South american import Romina Miranda, would def be a big boost for the Grands title-chase.

17-20 WOMEN - ROC main

• 1 MCKENZIE GAYHEART, FULL TILT/RADIO, FORT WHITE, FL
• 2 ROMINA GABRIELA MIRANDA URGILE, ALPHA NATIONAL TEAM, BOCA RATON, FL
• 3 STEPHANI MORIN, FULL TILT/RADIO, BURLINGTON, WI
• 4 PAIGE ZACHARY, FACTORY SSQUARED, CHAPARRAL, NM
• 5 LEYNA (ALMOST FAMOUS) JONES, JRBICYCLES.COM/SPEEDCO/AVIAN, OXNARD, CA
• 6 JASMINE (THE SHY GIRL) TOPPER, NO XCUSES SSQUARED FLY, VENTURA, CA
• 7 IMAGIN NELSON, STATELINE BMX, ROCKFORD, IL
• 8 ALEXIS LEIJA, JET RACING, FERNLEY, NV

 Among the biggest surprise wins was Trenton Moore in 17-20X. The Raise-for-Rowyn rider from Washington pulled off the biggest win os his career, defeating some of teh heftiest names in that class - like SX's Cam Bramer (3rd), Hyper's Drew Polk (5th), Alpha's Brayden Kempel (4th) and Kyle Jenson (6th) and Factort GT's Weston Muerlot (7th) ...to name a few. Definitely a career highlight and instant credibility as a guy to beat.

17-20 EXPERT - ROC main

• 1 TRENTON MOORE, RAISE FOR ROWYN, PORT ORCHARD, WA
• 2 ZACHARY FRIER, EXTREME TEAM, ABBOTSFORD, BC
• 3 CAMERON BRAMER, SUPERCROSS BMX, SOUTH PARK, PA
• 4 BRAYDEN KEMPEL, ALPHA, RAMSEY, MN
• 5 DREW POLK, HYPER, AVON, IN
• 6 KYLE JENSEN, ALPHA, TUCSON, AZ
• 7 WESTON MEURLOT, GT, NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL
• 8 RAYNE LANKFORD, FULL TILT/RADIO, HOUSTON, TX

In 21-25 Expert, both Elliott boys battled eachother hard all the way to the stripe. Jackson (black helmet) had gotten the holeshot, but brother Nick (white helmet) was all over his back wheel and waiting patiently to make his move. In the last turn, Nick railed it hard and cranked to the white stripe, while Jackson cruised across the line thinking he had it wrapped up. It was CLOSE! ...and would have to go to video. In the end, Jackson held on to this lead and scored the red No.1 plate.   

In all, the 2020 Race of Champions was incredible. Congratulations to all new holders of the red #1 plates. Be sure to watch replays of the action on YouTube.com/usabmxvideos 

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: PRO CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

Due to the dreaded 'Rona virus, USA BMX had to use a different method to determine the No.1 Pro titles in 2020 - comapred to all previous Pro points-chases since 1979. The COVID crisis had forced them to cancel the regular Pro series way back in April, and it switched up the way the three silver Cups would be decided. This time around, it would be a one race only with three mains, to decide the Champion for the entire year.

ie: Make the main at Grands, and you've got a shot at overall No.1 thru 8.
For 2020, there would not be a No.9 Pro or lower ranking. Your finish in the main would be the same as your overall ranking.

After all the dust had settled, we wound up with the same three Pro Champions from last year; but it didn't look like that would happen considering the first mains. In the first mains, Full Tilt-Radio's awesome Aussie, Josh McLean, scored a surprise first-main win, ahead of Fields. Could he do it two more times? The answer was, unfortunately, no. In Pro Women, Supercross' Felicia Stancil won the first two mains - holding off the hard-charging Alise 'da Beast. At that point, you'd assume that we could possibly witness a new Pro Champion being crowned. 

But our defending Pro Champions - all who adorned the front cover of the Grands issue of PULL magazine, know how to handle the boiling pressure of Grands mains. They've done it before and they know exactly what they need to do in order to keep that #1 on their plates. 

Defending 2-time Champ Connor Fields won it with a 2-1-1 in the mains; with nobody even coming close to his 4 points overall. 

AA PRO - GRANDS main (w/30 riders)

• 1 CONNOR FIELDS, CHASE BMX            2-1-1 in the mains (4 pts)
• 2 JORIS DAUDET, CHASE BMX               5-2-3 in the mains (10 pts)
• 3 ALFREDO CAMPO, ALCAVI                  6-3-2 in the mains (11 pts)
• 4 JOSHUA MCLEAN, FULL TILT/RADIO    1-6-4 in the mains (11 pts)
• 5 ANTHONY BUCARDO, HARO BMX        3-4-5 in the mains (12 pts)
• 6 ANDERSON SOUZA, SPEEDCO             4-5-6 in the mains (15 pts)
• 7 JEREMY SMITH, STAYSTRONG/CORSA  8-7-7 in the mains (22 pts)
• 8 FEDERICO VILLEGAS, MENDOZA          7-8-8 in the mains (23 pts)

By adding a third No.1 Pro title in 2020, this was Con-man's first back-to-back USA BMX Championship. He is the eighth Pro in BMX history to win consecutive No.1 plates. Mor eimportantly, it was Connor’s third USA BMX Pro Title - putting him in the same league as Bubba Harris, Sam Willoughby and his Chase team mate Joris Daudet. 

Defending 8-time Champ Alise Willoughby battled it out with Supercross' Felicia Stancil for this year's National Championship. After getting 2nds in the first two mains (4 pts) - against Felicia's two wins (2 pts), Willoughby was feeling the pressure and knew what she had to do. Alise again found herself in the 2-spot going into the first turn, but came underneath Felicia with a slight rub; just enough to take over the lead and back Stancil off her pace. At the same time, former No.1 Pro Woman and Olympic Gold medalist Mariana Pajon snuck underneath to take over second place.

In the end, Felicia and Alise were tied with 5 points each, which menat going to the tie-breaker of best-finish in the third round. This was Alise's ninth USA BMX Pro title (and seventh consecutive #1) …and 13th title all together, when you add in her four silver Cups as an Amateur.
Having turned Pro at the young age of 15 (in 2006), the now 29-year-old BMX legend capped off her 15th year as a BMX pro. 

WOMEN PRO - GRANDS Main (w/18 riders)

• 1 ALISE WILLOUGHBY, PROMAX/GW/TLD/TOYOTA, CHULA VISTA, CA
• 2 FELICIA STANCIL, SUPERCROSS BMX, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
• 3 MARIANA PAJON, KATY, TX
• 4 LAUREN REYNOLDS, FACTORY ANSWER, SAN DIEGO, CA
• 5 ASHLEY VERHAGEN, FULL TILT/RADIO, PHOENIX, AZ
• 6 DALENY VAUGHN, 316 RACING DK BIKES, TUCSON, AZ
• 7 RACHEL MYDOCK, REMIX BMX, PHOENIX, AZ
• 8 BROOKE CRAIN, HARO BMX, VISALIA, CA

Consider it sweet redemption for your defending 2-time Vet Pro Champ Tyler Brown. After last year's controversial ending - when Tyler won the title thanks to a DQ against his closest rival - "The Mosquito," Jonathan Suarez, in the third main, this year went much, much better for he and his DK bike.
The fans on both sides were anxious to see how this year's title-bout would play out.

Earlier in 2020, Tyler took over a second BMX track in the San Diego area - the infamous Kearney Moto Park, and is now running that venue along with Chula Vista BMX. His title of "World's Fastest Track Operator" lives on, with this third National No.1 Vet title.

VET PRO - GRANDS Main

• 1 TYLER BROWN, 316/DK BIKES, SAN DIEGO, CA
• 2 JONATHAN SUAREZ, ALPHA, CORAL SPRINGS, FL
• 3 BARRY NOBLES, STERRETT, AL
• 4 SERGIO SALAZAR, MEDELLIN
• 5 CARLOS MANRIQUE, FLORIDA ANSWER SSQUARED, MIAMI, FL
• 6 ANDRES JIMENEZ, BOGOTA
• 7 MIGUEL CASTRO, ALLTOW WRECKING CREW/YESS, CLEARWATER, FL
• 8 MATTHEW WILCOX, MUDSLINGER BIKE SHOP, DENVER, CO

SATURDAY'S - GRANDS FIRST & SECOND ROUNDS

 Since 2013, the USA BMX Grands moto-count has been in the 700-range. The last time Grands had motos in the 600's was 2012 - with 678. For this crazy-Corona virus season, Grands turnout hit 674 ...only four less than what we had eight years earlier.

Pretty impressive turnout, considering everything that has been going on in the World - right?

Saturday this year - the first day of Grands, was ran different than previous years. Both first and second rounds of motos (with the exception of 2nd round o' Opens) were completed ...and people still got out of the arena at a decent time for eating out and getting to bed early. 

In actuality, the chases for No.1 Amateur titles in boys and girls 20" and men and women Cruiser began at the drop of their first moto. The majority of Top-10 contenders, who all adorned the big 9-foot tall banners that hung from the rafters alongside the first turn, all looked impressive and made it thru their rounds with ease. 

When we talk about grands, it's usually focused on winning and earning a No.1 plate. But the Grands experience is more than just that. It's about spending a short-week with your friends, team mates and family. And most of all, it's about having FUN.

A prime example of this would be Answer's Marshall Gehrke. Although he was in the title-chase for No.1 Amateur, the kid's main goal - first and foremost, is to always have fun. The Major's idea of having fun usually involves X-ups or bar-humps over the biggest set of doubles he can find. But for Grands, his lifetime-goal of having a "RAD" movie moment came true, when he backflipped (not once, but twice) during a race. The first time, was on a Ssquared 26"er MTB, during his first round of ROC motos. In an actual race, in first place - and he flipped out. Cru Jones would be proud! 

SUNDAY - GRANDS FINALS

This is IT.
The day of reckoning. 
The day when we discover who becomes National No.1 Amateur, Girl, Cruiser and Girl Cruiser ...as well as No.1 Bike Shop and Factory Team. All of the cards were on the table and whether you were up for a No.1 title in National or NAG, or just out to make your Grands main, now was the time to step it up and get in the zone.

The stage was set ... (the National Stage, that is). Six silver Cups were left to be handed out by the end of the day. If there were ever a time to perform at your very best, it was NOW.

After the final qualifier rounds of Mixed and X-Opens were ran, we got right into the 8ths, quarters and semi's. For the most part, nothing shocking went down. About the only big upset came in 46-50 Cruiser when Top-10 points contender Shan Hatfield failed to make it to his main.

The first of the four Amateur titles up for grabs was Girl Cruiser, and the title-chase ended quickly, with the very first GCru main. Your No.1 points leader coming in, Landon Burian, capped off the USA BMX Championship by winning the 10 & Under girls cruiser main, which was loaded with potential title contenders.

Hailing from Bozeman, Landon became the first racer from Montana to earn a National No.1 title. Riding for Alpha, she had an amazing 2020 season - scoring 18 wins w/ seven 2nds & seven 3rds, in her quest to become No.1 in USA BMX. 

10 & UNDER GIRLS CRUISER - GRANDS main (w/ 24 riders / 4 groups)

• 1 LANDON BURIAN, ALPHA, BOZEMAN, MT
• 2 ISABELLA STEVENS, SSQUARED, NEENAH, WI
• 3 CHASE BURIAN, ALPHA, BOZEMAN, MT
• 4 KAYLIE CERASA, MUDSLINGER'S, BELVIDERE, IL
• 5 BROOKE WALSKI, CLAYBORN/ANSWER, BAKERSFIELD, CA
• 6 KAITLYN VAN RENSELAAR, VELOCITY, W. JORDAN, UT
• 7 DANICA APPENZELLER, SE/RIDECO, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
• 8 KAYLA LOPEZ, RT MOTO LRC MONGOOSE, HESPERIA, CA

This was Rowdy's second consecutive National No.1 Cruiser title - and his first on Factory Profile.

Throughout the crazy Covid season, Rowdy won 40 (yes ... FORTY!) Cruiser mains ...out of 44 tries! (All 44 mains were podium finishes, btw). Rowdy becomes only the third guy in BMX history to get back-to-back Cruiser Cups …joining In Hee Lee ('91/'92) and Beltbuckle Barry Nilson ('96, '97 and '98', '99) in the BMX Record books.

11 CRUISER - GRANDS main (w/ 31 riders / 6 groups)

• 1 ROWDY HOLZER, PROFILE, NEWCASTLE, CA
• 2 BRYAN SHATSWELL III, BMX SHARKS, BEAUMONT, CA
• 3 MASON MEDLEY, CLAYBORN/ANSWER, MADERA, CA
• 4 TAYLOR KOLL, HUTELIN RACING, LAKE WALES, FL
• 5 CUTTER GODAIRE, BMX SHARKS, MESA, AZ
• 6 PARKER TRAMPOSCH, SSQUARED, CORAM, NY
• 7 REECE GUSTAFSON, ALPHA, CHANDLER, AZ
• 8 AUSTIN ROCHA, SWAT, BEAUMONT, CA

For the Grands main, the No.1 title came down to MacKenzie and her teammate Olivia Armstrong - a former 2-time No.1 Champ. The infamous words came from USA BMX's B.A. Anderson - "With a win and only a win, one of these two girls will become your new No.1 Champion." In fact, both Full Tilt-Radio riders were tied in points, with 2,108 pts each. Armstrong was in Lane 5 and Skittles was coming out of Lane 7. 

In their 17-20 main, MacKenzie and Olivia snapped straight to the front - along with Daylight's super-quick Canadian, Molly Simpson. Armstrong came out of turn one with a sollid lead and MacKenzie was closing in tight in third place. Using her superior jumping skills, Gayheart passed Simpson over the first obstacle down the second straight, then went with a sweet inside line down the dog-legged straight. Skittles and her colorful carbon Radio jumped the next doubles and closed Armstrong's lead even more. With the speed, momentum and perfect line to the extreme inside, MacKenzie dove in underneath Olivia to take over the lead in the Tulsa turn.

After that move, there was no catchin' Skitttles as she blasted through the rhythm on the way to her first-ever National No.1 Girl title. In her quest for the Championship, Gayheart earned 30 Wins & five 2nds in 17-20 Girls.

17-20 WOMEN - GRANDS Main (w/34 riders / 6 groups)

• 1 MCKENZIE GAYHEART, FULL TILT/RADIO, FORT WHITE, FL
• 2 OLIVIA ARMSTRONG, FULL TILT/RADIO, BEND, OR
• 3 MOLLY SIMPSON, DAYLIGHT CYCLES, RED DEER, ALB
• 4 ROMINA MIRANDA, ALPHA, BOCA RATON, FL
• 5 VALENTINA DAVALOS, TRUE, CHARLOTTE, NC
• 6 PAYTON RIDENOUR, MONGOOSE BIKES, POTTSTOWN, PA
• 7 VALENTINA VELASQUEZ, TEAM W-ELITE BMX, COL
• 8 KORIE GILBERT, BLACKCROWN BMX, PEARLAND, TX

13X wasn't the laargest class at the 2020 Grands, but it did feature two riders who sat in the Top-6 of points. Coincidentally, they both ride for the same team - Full Tilt-Radio.

In that 13x main, Cole (the "Bacon Boy") was coming out of lane 2, with National points leader Sean Day right next to his left elbow, in lane 3. If Sean Day won it, he'd instantly be uncatchable and would be crowned No.1 Amateur. If Cole won it, there were still older riders who could take away the lead. 

AS the 13X gate dropped, Cole got a great first-crank snap but Day had more power in his second and third cranks. By the first jump, Sean moved over just enough to shut down his Full Tilt team mate. But Cole doesn't give up that easy and was hot on the tail of El' Suave. Amazingly, Cole was able to keep close and halfway through the third-straight rhythm section, made the decision to move over right, setting himself up for a last-chance swoop into the last turn.
At these speeds, could he pull it off cleanly?! 

Meanwhile, Sean Day opted for a wide line in to the last turn, and Cole saw the door cracked open - and took his shot. It was a clean, text-book move that he'd likely been taught (over 'n over) at the many Burlin Harris' Supercamps he's attended since he was a wee-little lad.
Cole made the pass and then finished it off perfectly by taking Sean's line out of the last turn. Day was charging hard and there was just enough of a "love-tap" from Cole to send him toward the white line and into the soft dirt on the side.
Day's day ended right there, as he crashed right before the last jump and Cole Frederick flew in for the win and the much-coveted 2020 National No.1 Amateur title. Cole's Grands win was his 28th win of the year; out of 38 mains.

13 EXPERT - GRANDS Main (w/63 riders / 11 groups)

• 1 COLE FREDERICK, FULL TILT/RADIO, NEW ULM, MN
• 2 JUAN MANOSCA, BAY AREA BMXERS, POPAYAN
• 3 JOSHUA WHITE, SUPERCROSS BMX, KINGMAN, AZ
• 4 SAWYER SIDES, SSQUARED NATIONAL, BARTLETT, TN
• 5 BRAYDEN DELANY, POWERLITE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
• 6 CONNOR EATON, HARO/DVIDE, VALENCIA, CA
• 7 TARIN  FIELDS, ALPHA, NEWMAN LAKE, WA
• 8 SEAN DAY, FULL TILT/RADIO, TACOMA, WA

The next few Grands mains could very well go down in the history books as some of the most thrilling mains of all time. Decades from now, BMX historians will still be talking about the upsets, the holeshots, the decision-making moments, then action in the turns and the race to teh finish.

14 EXPERT - GRANDS Main (w/63 riders / 11 groups)

• 1 RONNIE KIM, FACTORY BOX COMPONENTS, CORONA, CA
• 2 TRUE BAILEY, RACEFAST, LAKE TAPPS, WA
• 3 CEDRIC CADE, BMX SHARKS, LAS VEGAS, NV
• 4 MARSHALL GEHRKE, FACTORY ANSWER, ANTIOCH, IL
• 5 THOMAS MARTINEZ RESTREPO, ITAGUI
• 6 PARKER RESPASS, FACTORY HYPER, CHESAPEAKE, VA
• 7 WYATT WORTH, FACTORY REMIX, COALINGA, CA
• 8 ANDREW RASSI, FACTORY REMIX, REDWOOD VALLEY, CA

15 EXPERT - GRANDS Main (w/69 riders / 12 groups)

• 1 JOSHUA TRERISE, FULL TILT/RADIO, SHERWOOD, OR
• 2 JAYCE BARTLEY, LDC, MILWAUKIE, OR
• 3 ETHAN POPOVICH, MUDSLINGER BIKE SHOP, VALPARAISO, IN
• 4 SIMON ACOSTA, BAY AREA BMXERS, MEDELLIN
• 5 MARCUS (MANIAC) MOORE, BLACK WIDOW BMX, ANDOVER, MN
• 6 ROCCO PESATURO, JRBICYCLES.COM/SPEEDCO/AVIAN, ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL
• 7 DREW ENGLER, FACTORY HYPER, BLUE SPRINGS, MO
• 8 CUTTER WILLIAMS, FACTORY HYPER, POTOMAC FALLS, VA

16 EXPERT - GRANDS main (w/53 riders / 9 groups)

• 1 BRODY COLE, FULL TILT/RADIO, SPRING, TX
• 2 SANTIAGO SANTA, BAY AREA BMXERS, MEDELLIN
• 3 FRANCO MOLINA, SAN JUAN
• 4 BLAISE PEREIRA, ALPHA, MARRERO, LA
• 5 JUAN PAULO CHAPARRO, TEAM W-ELITE BMX, MEDELLIN
• 6 CEASAR FLORES, LDC, ATWATER, CA
• 7 NOLAN CARDWELL, RIVAL RACING, BELMONT, NC
• 8 PEDRO BENALCAZAR, CUENCA

This was it. With 85 riders in 17-20X, Rift-Tangent's Nick Adams had the opportunity to become 2020's No.1 Amateur.  

17-20 EXPERT - GRANDS main (w/85 riders / 15 groups)

• 1 GONZALO RENGEL, J&R BICYCLES.COM, QUEVEDO
• 2 TYLER MCGUIRE, ANSWER, GARDEN GROVE, CA
• 3 KYLE JENSEN, ALPHA, TUCSON, AZ
• 4 JOSEPH LETO, ALLTOW WRECKING CREW/YESS, MYAKKA CITY, FL
• 5 NICHOLAS ADAMS, ROCKSTAR RIFT TANGENT, ORANGEVALE, CA
• 6 GUSTAVO JOSE VICUNA NIETO, J&R BICYCLES.COM, AZUAY
• 7 WESTON MEURLOT, GT, NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL
• 8 JAMES PLUMMER, BLACK WIDOW, SAINT FRANCIS, MN

In the end, the BMX world witnessed The Greatest Mains on Earth. There is just something about The Grands - whether its the mindset, the turnout, the prestige and what is on the line, that makes riders step up their game. 

The one and only ROC TRIPLE

ACE LAACK9X, 9cru & 9-10 Xopen

ROC DOUBLES

BODHI PANGLE21-25 Inter & 21-25 Mixed

CEDRIC CADE14 Cru & 14X

CHRIS SUTTON26-35 X & 31 & Xopen

DANICA ANDERSON13 Girls  & 13-14 Gcru

DOMINIC PEDOTTO13-14 Mixed & 14 Inter

EASTON JOHNSON7-8 Xopen & 8X

JAKOBE IRVIN17-20 Inter & 17-20 Mixed

JANNAH VISE31-35 Wcru & 31-40 W

JUSTIN WIKE36-40cru & 36-40X

KIRA VESCUSO6under Mixed & 6 Girls

PRESLIE GOULD10under Gcru & 10 Girls

ROBERT TAYLOR41-45cru & 41-45X

ROWDY HOLZER11cru & 11X

SHANE HARLOW21-25cru & 21-25 Xopen

SOPHIA RODRIGUEZ11 Girls & 11-12 Gcru

TYLER SHUTTS26-30 Mixed & 26-35 Inter

GRANDS DOUBLES 

DANICA ANDERSON13 Girls & 13-14 Gcru

DANIEL SMITH26-35 Inter & 31over Mixed

HAYDEN PASSANISI10cru & 10X

JAKOBE IRVIN17-20 Inter & 17-20 Mixed

JAXSON HOWELL7under Cru & 7X

JEMMA TOLLEFSON7-8 Mixed  & 8 Girls

JOHN KERR6under Xopen & 6X

JUSTIN WIKE31over Xopen & 36-40cru

KAITLYN LARSON21-30 W & 26-30 Mixed

KARLA ORTIZ31-35 Wcru & 31-40 W

KAYLIE CERASA10 Girls & 9-10 Mixed

KNOX PERKINS8cru & 8X

RICHARD DOCTOR21-25 Inter & 21-25 Mixed

ROBERT TAYLOR41-45cru & 41-45X

ROWDY HOLZER11cru & 11X

Without a doubt, the Grands will always live up to its long-time moniker.
It is indeed The Greatest BMX Race on Earth. No one can deny it ... not even a Facebook fact-checker.