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Local BMX riders are some of the best in the world |
Local racing team places sixth at the world
championships in British Columbia, Canada |
By B. Scott Anderson, Newberg
Graphic sports editor
E-mail Scott at banderson@eaglenewspapers.com
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NANAIMO, British
Columbia, Canada — The Linder Racing Team, based out of Newberg,
placed sixth at the 2004 BMX World Championships last weekend.
The 12-member team saw 11 riders place in the top eight.
“It was an incredible day for our team,” said Barb Linder, who owns
the team with her husband Roger. “They all raced so well. What they
accomplished was purely from their hearts. It was amazing.”
The Linder Racing Team boasts riders from Newberg, Oregon City,
Molalla, Eugene and as far away as New York, but Linder said the
fact that the local riders did so well is an accomplishment in
itself because they went up against riders from California and
Arizona who race year-round. Linder said local riders are only able
to train and compete from May through October because of inclement
weather.
“For them to obtain that level in this sport, without them having
an indoor track, is amazing,” she said.
Tim Rathbun of Molalla was the lone Linder Racing Team rider to win
at the championships. His victory came in the 40-year-old Cruiser
Division.
The event was the biggest competition in which the Linder riders
have participated. Linder said that during an event earlier this
summer at the BMX track in Newberg, 35 motos (an industry term for a
race) were put on. At the World Championships, there were 156 motos.
“It was huge,” Linder said. “Their event was a two-day event, where
we could get our event done in a day.”
Two local riders also placed at the event. Cody Linder finished
seventh in the 9-10 boys open division and Kaylie Linder took fourth
in the 11-year-old girls division.
Cody Linder has been in several national events and placed second
and third, but hasn’t yet been able to come away with a win. At the
World Championships, one of his races provided a little excitement.
At the start of one of the motos, he anticipated the gate and hit
it. His foot became unclipped from the pedal. He fell behind the
pack of riders but managed to overcome it and caught two other
riders at the finish line to qualify for the main event.
“The whole crowd was going nuts,” Barb said. “It was a huge effort.
The announcer was going crazy. Usually, if you become unclipped and
they get that far ahead of you, it’s over. But he didn’t quit.”
Cody remained confident despite the miscue.
“I thought I’d do well because I was out of the country and all of
my friends were there,” he said.
Cody used a new bike he received three months ago in the event. The
nine-pound bike is valued at approximately $1,800.
“He’s been (racing) for four years and this is the nicest bike he’s
ever had,” Barb Linder said. “This is definitely something you grow
into and not something you get right out of the gate.”
Meanwhile, Kaylie Linder, ranked No. 1 in Oregon in the Girls
Cruiser division, used her $300 bike and placed fourth.
She said she went into the event with no expectations.
“It’s my third year racing and I’ve never raced in anything like
that,” she said. “I was really happy, though.”
Another local rider also placed in the event. Austin Burleson
placed fifth in the 7-year-old boys division. He lives in Woodburn,
but attends school in St. Paul.
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From
July 7,
2004, Newberg Graphic
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