The NBL Grands, held in Louisville, KY, marked the end of the 1999 NBL Pro season -- a year long quest for the national number one Pro title, that is usually determined only by the Pro main event at the finals. This year would be no different, as Thomas Allier, Danny Nelson, and Christophe Leveque were all able to win the title. At the same time, the ABA held one of its largest nationals of the year in Reno, NV. The Black Jack nationals, which had a large pro turnout for the battle for the ABA #1 Pro tittle to be settled later on this year. Either way, this was the biggest BMX weekend in history. For more info on the riders. check out www.doubleamarketing.com. Here is how the Double A Marketing Pros in attendance did: NBL Grands

Christophe Leveque had a slight chance of repeating his 1998 national #1 title, but it would depend on the finishing of other riders. Christophe was the most dominate pro at the NBL Grands winning all of his motos and qualifiers up until the main events. With the title out of his reach, Christophe was racing for the glory of the day and finishing 6th in AA Pro and 4th in Pro open were his results. Christophe finished up winning the Open class Pro series and national #3 in AA pro in the NBL. Christophe's sponsors include Specialized/Mountain Dew, Crupi, Vans, Powerbar, ATI, Fox, Oakley, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, Troy Lee Designs, Answer, Speed Stick, Sun Rims, and Spanky Tires.

Thomas Allier had the chance to win his first American national #1 Pro title. It slipped away from him as he collided with Brian Foster in the last turn as he was in a qualifying position in the semi of AA Pro. Thomas was riding the track fluidly and was picked as the favorite to win the whole event. Thomas settled for National #2 for 1999, behind Danny Nelson, along with a win in the B-main and 2nd in Pro Open. Thomas will be a USA national champion in the near future! Thomas' sponsors include GT, Panasonic Shock Wave, WD-40, Oakley, Dyno, Tal 5, AXO, ATI, Vans, Headlock, Powerbar, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, Troy Lee, Shimano, and Easton.

Randy Stumpfhauser was riding strong in Louisville, and was in good position to be in both the AA Pro and Cruiser mains, until a slower rider caused him to be passed near the Pro section in the AA semi. Randy went on to finish 4th overall in the Pro Cruiser main and finish up the year as National #2 in the Pro Cruiser Class. Randy's sponsors include Huffy, Oakley, Airwalk, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, Headlock, Fox, ATI, Sun Rims, Marwi, Shimano, CTI, Crupi, Powerbar, Easton, Tioga, Craftsman, and Profile.

Jason Richardson rode very well in Louisville, and even came back from a crash in the motos to qualify for the 1/4 and semi finials in AA Pro. Jason rode well in the 1/4 but a bad start in the 1/2 kept him from the AA Pro main. In the B-pro main, Jason rode a strong race against a slew of top riders and finished up 4th overall and National #9 for the year in the NBL. Jason's sponsors include Giant/Mosh, Answer, ATI, Sonic, Vans, SDG, Epic, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, Sun/Ringle, Profile, Spy, Strait Edge, headlock, and Powerbar.

Jason Donnell showed his skill and speed at the NBL grands with impressive rides in the motos. Jason had 2 crashes that kept him from the main events, but was looking to be a top contender. Jason will be pursuing his quest for an ABA top national number later on this month. Jason's sponsors include Huffy, Fox, Champion Nutrition, Head Lock, THE, Epic, ODI, Airwalk, Craftsman, Easton, Shimano, Spanky Tires, Sun Rims, Tioga, Answer, and Power Bar.

ABA Reno

Greg Romero went into Reno wanting to add to his current ABA pro title points lead, and did just that. Greg was able to hold off an impressive pro field and win AA Pro both days as well as win Pro open on Saturday and a 3rd in open on Sunday. Greg now has the most wins of any Pro in the ABA and is looking to hold on to the points lead. Greg's sponsors include Robinson, Panasonic Shock Wave, WD-40, Tal 5, Shimano, AXO, Vans, Chevy Trucks, Revenge/Cytomax, ATI, Head lock, Calabasis Cyclery, Core Fitness, Center Of Balance, Physical Performance Institute

Robert MacPherson had a drama filled weekend. On Saturday, after placing 2nd in the first pro main, Big Mac was bumped and crashed in the second pro main. Robert hit his head and was knocked out for a few seconds, and was rushed off to the local hospital for further tests. Robert was cleared from the medical staff at 3 am and went back to his hotel to get some rest. He awoke and felt a little stiff, but wanted to see if he could continue racing. He did and come main time was back in full swing placing 2nd in AA pro and 1st in Pro open. Just goes to show you how far determination will take you. Robert's Sponsors include Diamond Back, Answer, Crupi, ATI, Vans, Tioga, Bell, Knucklebone, Oakley, Odyssey, Powerbar, Marwi, Profile, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, Headlock, and Troy Lee Designs.

Matt Hadan had a great weekend, as he was in 5 out of 6 pro mains. On Saturday, Matt placed 1st in Pro Cruiser and 2nd in Pro Open. On Sunday, the Diesel finished up 2nd in Cruiser, 3rd in Pro Open, and 4th in AA Pro. Matt did his new boss, gOrk, proud. Look for Matt to be climbing up to the top of the Pro points in the ABA. Matt's sponsors include Torker, Troy Lee Designs, Airwalk, Crupi, Power Bar, Headlock, ODI, Tri-Flow, Kool Stop, Tioga, Tangent, JNCO, Champion Nutrition.

Jamie Staff kept his streak of being in the AA Pro main alive with placing 6th in AA On Saturday and 5th on Sunday. Jamie was also in the Pro open main on Saturday placing 5th. Jamie is currently #7 in ABA Pro points. Jaime's Sponsors include Haro, Adidas, Lee Pipe Jeans, Answer, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, ODI, Shimano, Kicker, Mavic, King, Epic, Powerbar, Headlock, Marwi, and Profile.

Wade Bootes returned to BMX after his successful Norba season where he finished up tied for 2nd place overall in the Dual slalom Pro title chase. Wade was in 3 out of the 4 Pro mains in Reno placing 7th in AA Pro on Saturday and 6th in AA and 7th in Pro Open on Sunday. Wade's sponsors include Trek/VW, Vans, Oakley, Powerbar, THE, Champion Nutrition/Revenge, Marwi, Headlock, Crupi, Answer, CTI 2, Bontrager, Chang Star, KMC, Profile, Velo, and Wellgo.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite Double A Marketing Pro for the Snap Nora Cup. Ballots available now in the October Snap Magazine.

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