April 14, 2012 (Randaberg, NOR) – BMX rider Tory Nyhaug of Coquitlam, BC, finished in seventh place at the Supercross Finals on Saturday in Norway in a dramatic final with two crashes, with one including Nyhaug only meters before the finish line.

Nyhaug was on his way to a third place, side-by-side with Liam Phillips of Great Britain, and his first podium on the UCI BMX Supercross Tour. Disaster struck in the final stretch as Nyhaug crashed on the second last jump, just meters before the finish line. Phillips collided with Nyhaug as they were in the final portion of the last turn, and both riders were propelled to the ground, crashing hard at high speed.

“I am really happy about my positioning today, and for the fact that I have been in two finals this year. Of course I am a little bit bummed about the crash in the final straight as it could have been my first career podium,” said Nyhaug.

Nyhaug got up from the crash and finished the race, and was not injured. The Coquitlam rider will pursue his Olympic preparations as planned.

Nyhaug easily qualified in the quarterfinals, winning his round, and then went on to take the second place in the semi-final to advance in the final showdown.

American rider Connor Fields, who posted the fastest time in the time trials yesterday, went on to win his third straight Supercross victory. So far in 2012, Fields has not lost a Supercross race nor a Time Trial Superfinals on the UCI BMX Supercross tour, and is enjoying tremendous successes.

Audio with Fields HERE.
Audio with Buchanan HERE.

Results

Elite Men

1. Connor Fields (USA) 32.063
2. Sam Willoughby (AUS) +0.002
3. Carlos Mario Oquendo Zabala (COL) +1.419
4. Quentin Caleyron (FRA) +1.507
5. Brian Kirkham (AUS) +25.60
6. Liam Phillips (GBR) +25.227
7. Tory Nyhaug (CAN) +29.533
DNF Khalen Young (AUS)

Elite Women

1) Caroline Buchanan AUS) 36.954
2) Magalie Pottier (FRA) +0.139
3) Alise Post (USA) +0.801
4) Vilma Rimsaite (LTU) +1.601
5) Arielle Martin (USA) +2.204
6) Melinda McLeod (AUS) +36.326
7) Laëtitia Le Corguille (FRA) +50.006
8) Sarah Walker (NZL) DNF