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World Cup 1978

History of BMX (1978 - 1979)

Year 1978.

1978 - Europeans discover BMX in the USA.

The ABA makes the decision to expand nationally. First ABA national race held in Azusa, California. First large pro purse ($1,000.00) offered at a major race by the ABA.

Kyle Flemmingbecame ABA's first number 1 Amature. Kyle was riding for DG at the time. A couple of years later, Kyle was killed in a car-train accident going with 3 others to a BMX race. I will come back to this tragic event later on.

Again, this was the year I got involved in BMX seriously. I organized the official introduction of the sport of BMX during the international moto-cross event at Valkenswaard in March 1978. A group of about 10 riders did give a demonstration of BMX racing. An unofficial BMX organization was founded (not registered/recognized by the official authorities) on May 16th. 1978 by yours truly, called: "Eerste Nationale Fietscross Organisatie" (1st National BMX Organization).

Around this time, I contacted the municipality of Eindhoven with the request to put at our disposal a piece of land on which a track could be build. In the meantime, I got in contact with Louis Vrijdag (whom I knew from the moto-cross sport), at the time he was working for the municipality of Eindhoven, who also learned about this BMX activity because of his job. Louis and I found eachother and understood each other well and this cooperation led to the foundation of the S.F.N. "Stichting Fietscross Nederland" later on this year. 

HOLMES Dale (England)

Dale-Holmes2001 World Champion
1996 World Champion

1997 World Cup Winner

Dale Holmes on the right with Nico van DartelDale Holmes on the right with Nico van Dartel

daleholmes.com is one of Nico's favorite BMX websites

 

Dale Holmes on the right with Nico van Dartel (www.daleholmes.com is one of Nico's favorite BMX websites)

KIMMANN Niek (Holland)

2015 World Champion

2016 World Champion

2018 World Cup

2019 European Champion

2019 World Cup

2021 Olympic Champion

2021 World Champion

LEVEQUE Christophe (France)

Christophe Leveque in Luzern Swiss after the Euro Championship in 19902001 World Champion
1999 World Champion
1998 World Champion
1997 World Champion
1995 World Champion
1993 World Champion
1991 World Champion

1994 European Champion
1993 European Champion
1993 European Champion (24")
1991 European Champion

1995 World Cup Winner

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Christophe Leveque has been crowned the KING of CHAMPIONS, holding 7 World titles in the highest age/performance classes and another 2 titles in lower age classes, which makes his total: 9 world titles won, up and till this moment. Who will beat this record?

Special note:

Christophe Leveque (FR) is one of only 3 riders that succeeded in winning a 20 and 24 inch European Championship title in one year during the 19 years of European BMX Championships. The orther 2 are Pierre van Zuijlen (NL) and Eric Minozzi (FR).

STAFF Jamie (England)

Jamie-Staff- EC2003-Cheddar1996 World Champion

1995 European Champion

1996 World Cup Winner
1995 World Cup Winner

Jamie Staff came to check out the races and hand out the trophies in Cheddar.

WILDE de Robert (Holland)

Robert-de-Wilde1999 World Champion

2000 European Champion
1999 European Champion

2007 Supercross World Cup
2005 Supercross World Cup

2003 World Cup Winner
1999 World Cup Winner

wc perth2003 robert dewildeRobert de Wilde (GT) posing with  UnivofBMX Staff Member Nico van Dartel