March 21, 2009 (Toronto, ON) – After another long cold winter the light of The Bike Show at the end of the dirt riders tunnel did not dissappoint. The 2009 edition of the dirt comps was one not soon to be forgotten. With a deep pool of talented BMX and MTB racers and jumpers cut loose on an awesome multi-use course the crowd was pumped. Packed bleachers cheered on their favorite racers and jumpers as the riders had a blast back on the dirt hangin’ with friends and showin’ their stuff.

Brian Strieby made the return trip to the great white north, attempting to defend his 08 Bike Show titles. Brian brought along some awesome additions to the show in the form of his older brothers’, Adam and Nathan. Brian and Nate managed to get into town early enough to help me with the build and the team effort really showed. Working on a tight timeline with union operators is not easy, but the team was patient and persistent enough to get a sweet track done in good time.

When the riders showed up for practice on Friday the jumpers were grinnin’ from ear to ear. With a tall, steep start hill, the track was tight 4 man u in a u with a right hand first turn. The track had decent berms and a variety of jumps, with the highlight being a big 4- pak into last turn that hipped riders left, landing right in the berm. Seemed like a lot of riders were gettin’ their moneys worth in practice and we had just begun.

Friday night wrapped up with our annual tribute to our friend Tim DaSilva. In Tims memory we have an open wheel, pro only challenge race. This has been an exciting event and one that the riders hold dear, Tim was a good rider and great guy, we miss you Timmy. The 2009 DaSilva champions are Bob Rowley and Amelia Walsh, both rode 20″ BMXs to decisive wire to wire wins.

Adam Strieby, multiple X- Games dirt Jump medalist, was seen riding the BMX race course in practice and considered takin’ a shot at the races. Adam decided to stick to the jump comp, good idea for Adam bummer for the rest of the pro stunt BMX class. Wins both days for Adam helped ease the pain of his car bein towed and huge props to Aaron Sherrie for placing tight seconds both days after competing in street as well.

Saturdays racing was great excitement for the crowd. The tight track made for some aggressive racing and there was plenty of contact to keep the officials busy. In general it was good hard, clean racing, Dean Pearson from the OCA has been around a long time and knows how to keep it fair and fun for all. Even if it means dq’s for both myself and his son !

Racer of the day Saturday without a doubt was Brian Strieby. Brian was all business when main time rolled around and the plan was to defend his titles. Game plan went perfect for Brian, including beating out 6 time Canadian national champ, Bob Rowley on the 20″ and Orangeville Indoor MTB champ, Alex Brancier on the MTB. Alex rolled in another 2nd in cruiser, but note down, Brian Strieby for the pro cruiser win as well on his way to a triple.

Amelia Walsh was lookin’ real tough to beat after a win on Friday night and in the Saturday Pro Women BMX, but a crash in the Saturday Pro Women MTB main checked her out for the weekend. We had some major talent on the gates for the women this year and comeback kid Meghan Jarvis rode her 1st ever MTB race in for the Pro win. Welcome back to racing Meghan.

Saturday’s stunt battles were a crowd favorite, with three big hits on course we saw some great air, style and variations. Flips, 3’s , tailwhips, barspins all good to go, but one of my favourites was Adam Striebys decade airs. For the MTB’s it was Matt MacDuff on Saturday for the win with Brett Rheeder in for the 2nd. Sunday Pro MTB saw Rheeder kick it up a notch for the win, with Ryan Rosborough makin out Sunday for the 2nd.

Sunday racing was even more fun for the riders as the course was rolling faster and some new lines had developed. The stacked Pro MTB class was dominated by Industry skateparks Brandon Cassell, while Jason Rowley was the man for 20″ BMX. Brian Strieby, after bashin’ his elbow on a loop gone bad in stunt, still managed to hang in for another win, this time pro cruiser.

Be sure to mark down next March in your calendar and don’t miss out on the 2010 Bike Show Dirt Comps. Join facebook group site- Toronto Bike Show Dirt Comps- where you can see photos, videos and updates for next year. Special thanks to the folks at the bike show for letting us do our thing. As well, thanks to our sponsors Shimano, Diamondback, Black Pony BMX shop, The Bike Zone, Ryders Eyewear, Kona Bikes, Industry Skatepark, The Ontario Cycling Association, Mountain Grove Custom Carpentry, my Family and my crew.

Brought to you by the Toronto Inernational Bicycle Show, Shimano, DiamondBack Bikes, Black Pony BMX Shop, The Bike Zone, Industry Skatepark, Ryders Eyewear, Kona Bicycles, the Ontario Cycling Association Brent Smith and MountainGrove Custom Carpentry.

Results

Friday Night Tim DaSilva Memorial Challenge (Pro Only – Open wheel size class)

Pro Men-
1. Bob Rowley-20″
2. Brian Strieby-20″
3. Kyle Pearson-24″
4. Jamie Brierly-20″

Pro Women-
1. Amelia Walsh-20″
2. Anne LePlante26″
3. Lee Ryckman-20″
4. Meghan Jarvis-20″


Saturday

Pro Men MTB
1. Brian Strieby
2. Alex Brancier
3. Rob Fraser
4. Chris Staniewski
5. Nathan Strieby
6. Jonathan Palframan

Pro Men BMX
1. Brian Strieby
2. Bob Rowley
3. Kyle Pearson
4. Greg Bidwell

Pro Women MTB
1. Meghan Jarvis
2. Anne LePlante
3. Caroline Arsenault
4. Amelia Walsh

Pro Women BMX
1. Amelia Walsh
2. Meghan Jarvis
3. Lee Ryckman

Pro Cruiser
1. Brian Strieby
2. Alex Brancier
3. Kyle Pearson
4. Nathan Strieby

Am Cruiser
1.Gary Quill
2. Shane Daniels
3. Hunter Foster

Am MTB – Men
1. Mike Hermanovsky
2. Matt Gillies
3. Nick Kesik
4. Aaron Smith

Am BMX – Men
1. Gary Quill
2. Paul Schiavone
3. Scott Graham
4. Corey Walsh

Am BMX – Women
1. Stephanie Huiskamp
2. Christine Schiavone

8& Under – Expert BMX – invitational
1. Sheldon Tryon
2. Justin Rowley
3. Curtis Krey
4. Romyk Soltys

Pro BMX- Stunt
1. Adam Strieby
2. Aaron Sherrie
3. Jeremy Joyce
4. Chris Henry
5. Brian Strieby
6. Kyle Laurenson
7. Jesse Priede

Pro MTB – Stunt
1. Matt MacDuff
2. Brett Rheeder
3. Rob Fraser
4. Brian Strieby
5. Justin Soares

Am MTB – Stunt
1. Matt Pollington
2. Tim Hummell
3. Andrew Holmes
4. Avi Kuper
5. Braden Barrett-Hay
6. Dima Ryschkevich
7. Tyler Publow
8. Pat Mohan

Am BMX – Stunt
1. Ryan Reis
2. Scott Graham


Sunday

Pro Men MTB
1. Brandon Cassell
2. Hugh MacLachlan
3. Alex Brancier
4. Matt Zdriluk
5. Nathan Strieby
6. Brian Stieby

Pro Men BMX
1. Jason Rowley
2. Bradie Johnston
3. Jamie Brierly
4. Greg Bidwell

Pro Women MTB
1. Anne LePlante
2. Meghan Jarvis
3. Lee Ryckman
4. Caroline Arsenault

Pro Women BMX
1. Meghan Jarvis
2. Lee Ryckman
3. Christine Schiavone
4. Stephanie Huiskamp

Pro Cruiser
1. Brian Strieby
2. Alex Brancier
3. Keith Grant
4. Kyle Pearson

Am Cruiser
1. Gary Quill
2. Shane Daniels
3. Hunter Foster

Am MTB – Men
1. Peter- John Wegrynowski
2. Tommy Lucas
3. Matt Gillies
4. Brennan Kovacevich

Am BMX – Men
1. Hunter Foster
2. Gary Quill
3. Paul Schiavone
4. Scott Graham

Pro BMX – Stunt
1. Adam Strieby
2. Aaron Sherrie
3. Jeremy Joyce
4. Brian Strieby

Pro MTB – Stunt
1. Brett Rheeder
2. Ryan Rosborough
3. Brian Strieby
4. Matt MacDuff

Am MTB – Stunt
1. Brett Kilroy
2. Braden Barrett-Hay
3. Matt Pollington
4. Andrew Holmes
5. Marc Lefebure
6. Tyler Publow
7. Keenan MacGregor
8. Brian Soehner

Am BMX – Stunt
1. Jamie Dixon
2. Micheal Dimarco
3. Mitch McGrath
4. Scott Graham

Thanks to everyone who supported the event this year. It has been 5 years since I took over this event and every year seems to bring better courses, better riders and more fans. Me and the crew will keep pushing to improve and look forward to seeing you all again next year. Good luck and have fun this summer.