Just 4 weeks after winning the World Championships and battling my sickness, I headed down and out to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa for stop #2 of 4 of the 2009 BMX World Cup Series.  I chose to forego the first stop in Denmark a few months ago, so this was my first race back on the World Cup circuit since last October.  As weird as it sounds to most of us racers, this race also began the points chase that will ultimately factor in to the team selection for the 2012 Olympics.  Here we go again... :)
 
I spent the week prior, in Chula Vista, honing in my skills and enjoying the great facility and friends.  We then proceeded to fly 22 hours to get to South Africa.  San Diego to DC= 5 hours.  DC to Dakar, Senegal= 8 hours.  Dakar to Johannesburg= 8 hours.  Johannesburg to Durban= 1 hour.  Shower and a bed after arriving at the hotel= PRICELESS.  And if you didn't know, whilst in Dakar, you cannot get off the plane.  You stay on the same plane during the 1 hour refueling in Dakar and then you travel on.  So, you are on the plane for 17 hours straight.  I buddied with Mike Day once again since USA Cycling is still using their "Under 23" program to fund their younger riders in hopes of finding talent for the future.  Thanks to Johan Lindstrom of the UCI for all he's been helping out with.
 
Not going to lie, I was a bit uneasy the first few days after arriving.  However, Mike and I started off gangbusters from the time we landed on Monday night.  Tuesday morning we headed out with announcer Mike Redman and webcaster Peter Dylewski for a 45 minute drive outside of town to go on a safari!  We saw rhinos, giraffes, hippos, zebras- it was a great new experience.  Wednesday, Mike Day and I went around to 4 schools in Pietermaritzburg to visit with the kids and speak with them about BMX and to promote the upcoming race in their town.  This was quite an experience.  The first school we went to had many of the windows busted out, the rooms were a mess and after I asked how many kids had ever ridden a bike, out of 600+, only 1 raised their hand.  The following 3 schools weren't much better and this left Mike and I with an even deeper appreciation for what we are blessed with.  What is really cool is the municipality there is already developing tracks and providing bikes to allow all these kids access to BMX Racing.  This is the first time I've ever seen a race come to town and then have the city be proactive by using the race as a platform to help the youth.  Imagine the possibilities with this!  I plan on staying involved.  
 
Thursday was practice day but before practice we had a meet-and-greet with the Madame Mayor of Pietermartitzburg.  Friday was time-trials.  I placed 5th in time-trials and this was a good spot to be in for Saturday's race.  Saturday started off with an autograph session that I did for Monster Energy, who's making a push in South Africa now.  The racing was good.  The track was good.  And, this spot will also hold the 2010 World Championships so I'm already preparing for the flight next year!  I got first in my first four motos and then I got second in the semi which meant I was in the main with Australia, Netherlands, French, Argentina and one other American.  Sam Willoughby from Australia had an unreal lap and I just  couldn't catch him.  I got 2nd, while Rob van den Wildenberg from the Netherlands got third.  I am fairly pleased with my result and I'm focused on doing well at the last two World Cups which will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA on September 18-19 and Frejus, France October 9-10.  

GO211 Bike Video- african school

GO211 Bike Video- african safari with the homies

 

Thanks

Donny