Monday, October 1

Nyquist Helps Out

Press Release

Freestyle BMX rider and X Games gold medallist Ryan Nyquist is crowned the King of Dirt at the Panasonic Shockwave King of Dirt Series held at the Santa Monica Pier this past weekend and donates his $3,000 winnings to the Red Cross to aid the victims in New York.

Due to the recent tragedy many athletes were wary of traveling to the contest but that didn’t deter Nyquist who drove over 38 hours and almost 3,000 miles from his home in Greenville, NC to participate in the final King of Dirt contest of the year. Nyquist, who was the King of Dirt in 1998, has won every contest of the 2001 King of Dirt series leading up to the finals and was determined to return to the throne.

Nyquist left his home on Wednesday evening and arrived in Santa Monica late Friday night in time to get some sleep before Saturday’s practice. On Sunday, over 20 pro riders competed for the most prestigious title in BMX Dirt. He had a great practice and qualified second behind Chris Duncan. Having won the three preceding contests and leading the series in points, Nyquist was the favorite to win. With four solid runs, which included a ‘switch handed backflip’ and ‘triple back trailer’, Nyquist regained his title as King of Dirt and was awarded a Chevy Tracker and a check for $3,000 that he immediately donated to the Red Cross.

“Like everybody else, I have been watching the news and seeing the devastation in New York was truly upsetting,” Nyquist commented, “I had promised myself that I would donate any prize money that I won to the Red Cross, I’m just glad I took first and was able to help out.”

The giving spirit was definitely in the air, Bank of America matched Nyquist’s donation while other groups did their part in raising money as well.

Nyquist has had an incredible season with eleven wins and will be competing in the Vans Triple Crown of BMX in Oceanside, CA in October 2001.