Mike Takeuchi: BMX rider sets her sights on a gold

12/23/05

By MIKE TAKEUCHI
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

LIFESTYLE SPORTS

I feel that belief goes a long way, especially this time of year.

That is what bicycle motocross, or BMX, rider Chantel Blanchet may be telling herself next week on her first pedal stroke en route to what she hopes will be an Olympic gold medal.

Beginning Tuesday, Blanchet will be entered in the elite class at a world cup event in Columbus, Ohio.

The 22-year-old will enter her first phase in an attempt to qualify for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

BMX, which was named an official Olympic event in 2003, is a bicycle race on a short dirt track (approximately 400 meters) that includes jumps.

Contested in heats, or motos, riders will face one another several times each round until the final.

BMX is under the Union Cycliste Internationale, or UCI, the same organization that governs events such as the Tour de France and the world mountain bike championships.

By virtue of a pair of sixth-place finishes at World Cup events earlier this year, Blanchet is tied for 20th in the UCI rankings for North America.

The Columbus race is the first of an eight-race series that will culminate with the World Championships in Brazil in July.

In addition, after the New Year, all world cup points will count toward qualifying for Beijing.

Since she started racing "just for fun" seven years ago, the Santa Barbara local has come a long way, local BMX guru Dale Bowers said.

Bowers said she has gone from someone who came for summer camp to being a good local competitor to finally now being an athlete who has a realistic chance at Olympic stardom.

"Because of her talent, desire and willingness to work, she has a good shot," Bowers said.

"She is the real deal."

Bowers and the local organization Santa Barbara BMX have put their money where their heart is by sponsoring Blanchet's training and racing. In addition, staff at Titan Sports Performance Center are training her. Kelly Brown, the owner of the Natural Cafˇ, the restaurant where Blanchet works, is also a sponsor.

"Since I was a kid, Dale and Lisa have taken me to races and helped me out whenever they can," Blanchet said.

"I am very grateful to them, Santa Barbara BMX, Titan and Kelly for all they have done. Their belief in me makes me want to do well."

Training sessions at Titan and on the bike have given her focus.

Although the dirt track to China will be hard, the soft-spoken local has turned this faith in her into a firm resolve to be in the mix come qualifying time.

"I have raced against all of the other girls before, and I know I can compete against them," Blanchet said.

She believes it, and so do I.

For more information on sponsorship, visit the Santa Barbara BMX Web site at sbbmx.com or call 564-8859.

I would like to wish everyone a healthy holiday season and a peaceful New Year.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of Mr. Takeuchi and not necessarily the News-Press.