05.15.08 - Abbotsford, B.C., hosts Tim Hortons National Cycling Championships BMX Nationals May 16-18

OTTAWA – The Tim Hortons National Cycling Championships get underway in Abbotsford, B.C., with 2008 National BMX Championships May 16-18. BMX cycling makes its official Olympic debut this August in Beijing.

‘’It’s a really exciting time for BMX,’’ said Canadian national team coach Tanya Dubnicoff of Calgary. ‘’These athletes are young and talented and when everyone sees this at the Olympics there’s going to be an explosion of interest.’’

The competition at Abbotsford Exhibition Park has attracted about 350 of Canada's top BMX riders competing for titles in various age groups.

At the elite level, the races will finalize the world championship team. The worlds are the last Olympic qualifying event. Some of the favourites this weekend in men's competition include Patrick Lebel of Calgary, Jim Brown of Airdrie, Alta., and Scott Erwood of Surrey, B.C.

In the women’s elite competition, the favourites include Danielle Brisson of Abbotsford, Christine Miller of Airdrie and Kaila Sweeney of Airdrie. Samantha Cools of Airdrie, a world championships silver medallist in 2006, won’t compete this weekend with a spot already locked up for the upcoming worlds.

The world championships are set for May 31 in China. Canada is assured one women’s Olympic spot with the rider to be finalized at worlds. For the men both the spot and rider need to be qualified at worlds.

This is not the first time Abbotsford BMX has hosted a major event. The 2006 National Championships, as well as the 2007 BMX PreWorld Championships were also held in Abbotsford on the world class track built by Tom Ritz, the world's top BMX track builder.

‘’We were out there last weekend and really impressed with the course,’’ said Dubnicoff. ‘’It’s really technical and big. It’ll be fair to everybody. The riders that have a lot of power and speed will be able to use those skills.’’

Time trials begin at 6:45 p.m., (local time) Friday, while the championship races start at 12 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.