29th Olympic Games - JO

Beijing, China, August 9-23, 2008

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Event 35 - August 21: Men's BMX Semi-Finals and Finals,

Strombergs storms to BMX history

Latvia's Maris Strombergs has secured his place in the Olympic history books after becoming the first Elite Men's gold medallist. The rider outclassed his rivals in the men's final race, with United States of America riders Mike Day and favourite Donny Robinson settling for silver and bronze respectively.

"It's great," Strombergs told local media. "I come from a country where we only have 120 BMX riders.

"I hope this achievement will make people sit up and take notice of us - and help us to get better," he added.

Despite missing out on the gold medal, Day was delighted that things came together for a medal winning ride. "I had a good start," Day said. "I was right there. Just couldn't get in front of him [Strombergs]."

"Incredible is how I'd describe it," said Day. "Silver medal, after three and a half years of training, I can't complain. We had all the resources to make this happen and we're excited to be here. Two men and a woman on the podium, I'm pumped."

One rider that was feeling short changed after the final was Australia's Jared Graves. The medal contender was holding third place when the bike of South African Sifiso Nhlapo, who had come unstuck, took out Graves' rear wheel.

"I was just trying to lean into the corner to hold on to third and guys are just riding stupid, trying moves that weren't on," said Graves. "I'm pretty disappointed about how some of the other guys rode. I know they've got to be aggressive, it's the Olympic final, but they took themselves down in the process."

Graves remounted his bike and crossed the line in last place. Nhlapo and France's Damien Godet, who was also caught up in the incident, didn't cross the finish line.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Casey Gibson/www.cbgphoto.com

The start of the BMX races are dramatic and a tad nerve-wracking.
Day and Robinson took charge of things early in the final.
Australian Jared Graves led in the first corner but landed on his butt in the second.
Day is airborne in the third run of his heat
Day led early in the final
BMX is action pure
Eight riders fly to potential victory in Beijing.
Strombergs pulled ahead in the finale of the final.
Latvian Maris Strombergs won ahead of the US boys Mike Day (l) and Donny Robinson.
Day is happy with his silver medal
Strombergs won the gold on a sunny day

Results

Finals

1 Maris Strombergs (Latvia)               0.36.19
2 Mike Day (United States)                0.00.42
3 Donny Robinson (United States)          0.00.78
4 Andres Jimenez (Colombia)               0.02.95
5 Rob Van Den Wildenberg (Netherlands)    0.03.58
6 Jared Graves (Australia)                1.43.04
DNF Sifiso Nhlapo (South Africa)                 
DNF Damien Godet (France)                  

Semifinals

Heat 1                                              fastest of three runs for final qualifiers
1 Mike Day (United States)                5 pts     36.219
2 Sifiso Nhlapo (South Africa)            8         36.457
3 Donny Robinson (United States)         10         36.462
4 Andres Jimenez (Colombia)              13         36.862 
5 Raymon Van Der Biezen (Netherlands)    14
6 Kyle Bennett (United States)           14
7 Arturs Matisons (Latvia)               22
8 Marc Willers (New Zealand)             23

Heat 2
1 Maris Strombergs (Latvia)                3 pts    36.071
2 Rob Van Den Wildenberg (Netherlands)     9        36.360 
3 Jared Graves (Australia)                10        36.904
4 Damien Godet (France)                   14        36.707
5 Cristian Daniel Becerine (Argentina)    15
6 Kamakazi (Australia)                    18
7 Roger Rinderknecht (Switzerland)        19
8 Manuel De Vecchi (Italy)                20