Mirra, McCoy inducted into BMX Hall of Fame
Mirra, McCoy inducted into BMX Hall of Fame
This past weekend, alongside the last chance qualifier for the U.S. Olympic BMX team at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., BMX greats including the late Dave Mirra and X Games Austin 2016 BMX Vert bronze medalist Dennis McCoy were inducted into the BMX Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 class. Here, XGames.com goes inside the awards ceremony with past and present BMX greats.
This past weekend, alongside the last chance qualifier for the U.S. Olympic BMX team at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., BMX greats including the late Dave Mirra and X Games Austin 2016 BMX Vert bronze medalist Dennis McCoy were inducted into the BMX Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 class. Here, XGames.com goes inside the awards ceremony with past and present BMX greats.
Nyquist pays tribute
"Last night was bittersweet," said BMX pro Ryan Nyquist. "I was happy to be at the USA BMX Hall of Fame ceremony last night to honor two of my heroes in BMX: Dennis McCoy, who continues to defy logic and doesn't seem like he has any plans of leaving the ramp or his habit of medaling at X Games any time soon; and Dave Mirra, who left us all way too soon. Congrats to both of you guys! You are an inspiration to us all."
"Last night was bittersweet," said BMX pro Ryan Nyquist. "I was happy to be at the USA BMX Hall of Fame ceremony last night to honor two of my heroes in BMX: Dennis McCoy, who continues to defy logic and doesn't seem like he has any plans of leaving the ramp or his habit of medaling at X Games any time soon; and Dave Mirra, who left us all way too soon. Congrats to both of you guys! You are an inspiration to us all."
Automatic induction
X Games BMX legend Dave Mirra, who died in February at the age of 41, received an automatic induction into the USA BMX Hall of Fame for 2016 under the BMX Freestyler category, alongside fellow BMX Freestyler and X Games BMX Vert competitor Dennis McCoy. Here, Mirra's father, Michael Mirra, receives the award on behalf of his son.
X Games BMX legend Dave Mirra, who died in February at the age of 41, received an automatic induction into the USA BMX Hall of Fame for 2016 under the BMX Freestyler category, alongside fellow BMX Freestyler and X Games BMX Vert competitor Dennis McCoy. Here, Mirra's father, Michael Mirra, receives the award on behalf of his son.
McCoy accepts his induction
Beginning with his rookie pro season in 1986, until the overall category was eliminated at the end of the 1995 Bicycle Stunt Series season, Dennis McCoy was the top-ranked overall rider for an entire decade. McCoy is the only rider to hold pro championship titles in every Freestyle BMX discipline. Along with several Bicycle Stunt belts, his varied championship titles include the 1990 2-Hip Meet the Street, 1992 ABA King of Dirt and 1995 King of Concrete, and 11 X Games medals (six in the U.S. and four International). Of McCoy's many accomplishments, perhaps the most incredible is his longevity. This marks his 31st consecutive year competing professionally in major BMX events -- giving DMC the longest competitive career in Freestyle history.
Beginning with his rookie pro season in 1986, until the overall category was eliminated at the end of the 1995 Bicycle Stunt Series season, Dennis McCoy was the top-ranked overall rider for an entire decade. McCoy is the only rider to hold pro championship titles in every Freestyle BMX discipline. Along with several Bicycle Stunt belts, his varied championship titles include the 1990 2-Hip Meet the Street, 1992 ABA King of Dirt and 1995 King of Concrete, and 11 X Games medals (six in the U.S. and four International). Of McCoy's many accomplishments, perhaps the most incredible is his longevity. This marks his 31st consecutive year competing professionally in major BMX events -- giving DMC the longest competitive career in Freestyle history.
McCoy celebrates
Earlier this month at X Games Austin 2016, McCoy earned the bronze medal in BMX Vert. In December, he will turn 50, and he has already won an automatic invite to compete at X Games in 2017 because of his bronze-medal finish.
Earlier this month at X Games Austin 2016, McCoy earned the bronze medal in BMX Vert. In December, he will turn 50, and he has already won an automatic invite to compete at X Games in 2017 because of his bronze-medal finish.
Say cheese
McCoy poses with select BMX legends also in attendance at the BMX Hall of Fame ceremony. On the far right is actor Bill Allen, who portrayed the character Cru Jones in the 1986 BMX movie "Rad!"
McCoy poses with select BMX legends also in attendance at the BMX Hall of Fame ceremony. On the far right is actor Bill Allen, who portrayed the character Cru Jones in the 1986 BMX movie "Rad!"
More freestyle legends
There are more than a handful of past and present BMX legends in this photo, from Eddie Fiola to Ryan Nyquist to Dave Nourie.
There are more than a handful of past and present BMX legends in this photo, from Eddie Fiola to Ryan Nyquist to Dave Nourie.
Industry inductee
In 1980, Jim Alley, center, designed Profile Racing's first three-piece chromoly tubular crank set with a 48 spline spindle -- which is now the BMX industry standard. Amazingly, Profile, under Alley's guidance, has continued to manufacture all of its product line in-house in the U.S. In the early 1990s, Profile was responsible for bringing cassette hubs to the forefront of the BMX market. Alley is still heavily involved in R&D and design of Profile products, and he still welds every pair of Elite cranks at Profile Racing's headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. As part of the 2016 ceremony, Alley was inducted into the BMX Hall of Fame for his technical contributions to BMX bicycles.
In 1980, Jim Alley, center, designed Profile Racing's first three-piece chromoly tubular crank set with a 48 spline spindle -- which is now the BMX industry standard. Amazingly, Profile, under Alley's guidance, has continued to manufacture all of its product line in-house in the U.S. In the early 1990s, Profile was responsible for bringing cassette hubs to the forefront of the BMX market. Alley is still heavily involved in R&D and design of Profile products, and he still welds every pair of Elite cranks at Profile Racing's headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. As part of the 2016 ceremony, Alley was inducted into the BMX Hall of Fame for his technical contributions to BMX bicycles.
The real McCoy
Former BMX racer Robbie Morales, left, poses with Hall of Fame inductee Dennis McCoy outside of the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.
Former BMX racer Robbie Morales, left, poses with Hall of Fame inductee Dennis McCoy outside of the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.
Freestyle royalty
Former GT Bicycles pro Martin Aparijo, left, poses with former Freestylin' Magazine editor/phorographer Windy Osborn. Osborn's photos of Aparijo throughout the South Bay area of Los Angeles allowed Aparijo to enjoy a lengthy career as a pro for GT in the 1980s.
Former GT Bicycles pro Martin Aparijo, left, poses with former Freestylin' Magazine editor/phorographer Windy Osborn. Osborn's photos of Aparijo throughout the South Bay area of Los Angeles allowed Aparijo to enjoy a lengthy career as a pro for GT in the 1980s.
'90s legends
Rick Thorne, left, and Todd Lyons competed in ESPN's inaugural Extreme Games in 1995 and continue to live their lives on BMX bikes. Thorne does voice-over work for radio and has acted in Hollywood movies, while Lyons now runs the BMX program for SE Bicycles.
Rick Thorne, left, and Todd Lyons competed in ESPN's inaugural Extreme Games in 1995 and continue to live their lives on BMX bikes. Thorne does voice-over work for radio and has acted in Hollywood movies, while Lyons now runs the BMX program for SE Bicycles.
Rad jacket
An original jacket from the 1986 BMX movie "Rad" made the rounds after the Hall of Fame inductions concluded.
An original jacket from the 1986 BMX movie "Rad" made the rounds after the Hall of Fame inductions concluded.
Kansas City rogues
As young BMX riders from the Kansas City area, Rick Thorne (left) and Dennis McCoy referred to themselves as the "Kansas City Rogues." Over thirty years later, they remain close friends and BMX royalty.
As young BMX riders from the Kansas City area, Rick Thorne (left) and Dennis McCoy referred to themselves as the "Kansas City Rogues." Over thirty years later, they remain close friends and BMX royalty.
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