Aussies Rule the Day

Sep 08 2006 / San Jose, CA

The Boys from Oz   Video: A look at how Aussies like Luke Parslow, Ryan McCann, Ryan Guettler, Colin Mackay and Cameron White (and more!) are taking over BMX dirt.  View Clip> Photo Gallery: Photos from BMX Dirt Finals in San Jose View Gallery>

Apparently the Americans forgot to show up to BMX Dirt Finals at the Toyota Challenge in San Jose. Aussies took 6 of the top 10 positions in Friday's Finals. And not just any 6 spots – the top 6 spots. Only Chris Doyle was able to come close to defeating any of the boys from Down Under with a 7th place finish. That left Ryan Guettler, Luke Parslow and Corey Bohan standing triumphantly on the podium when the smoke settled.

Ryan Guettler threw down a dominating performance Friday night at the Dirt Finals with an unbelievable run. He dropped in from the tower with a quick x-up followed by a double tailwhip on the first hip, a super smooth 720, a perfect front flip, and another double tailwhip on the final set. His score: a big 93.25. Guettler’s been having a rollercoaster season with finishes all over the place. His 1st place finish boosts him up to 4th overall in the 2006 Dew Tour points standings making him a contender for one of the top 3 positions of the season title.

Luke Parslow, who’s been amazingly consistent this year with 2nd and 3rd place finishes at every Dew Tour stop, came in 2nd again. He put the smack down with a backflip turndown, a tailwhip, a beautiful front flip, followed by a stunning backflip tailwhip. As a result, Parslow has now taken the lead in the overall points standing and with any luck (combined with his smooth Aussie style and skill) he’ll remain in 1st place and clinch the Dew Tour season title.

Corey Bohan, who is 5th overall in this year’s Dew Tour, rose to the occasion and nailed his run to take third. He remains in 5th, but has shown everyone that he’s not ending his season without a fight. Dave Dillewaard, yet another Aussie, kicked out two of his best runs of the season to clinch 4th place. Both of his runs scored an 89.5, the second of which drew huge applause from the other riders and the crowd.

Cameron White, the winner of BMX Dirt in Portland, took home 5th place, despite landing another triple tailwhip in competition. He set his foot down on the landing which scored him a little lower than he could have. If he hadn’t put that foot down, it’s possible he would have upset Bohan's or Parslow's stellar runs.

Finally, have you noticed that someone’s name hasn’t been mentioned in the top 8 positions? That’s because Anthony Napolitan got an 84.5 on his first run and didn’t even finish his second run after losing speed. But, never fear. With all the points Napolitan has accumulated this year he’s still in 2nd in the overall points standings. So you can be sure he’ll come to Orlando ready to take back what’s been his all season.