GT Bicycles’ Sharrah and Day Compete In US Olympic Trials

Jun 20, 2012

June 16th 2012, Chula Vista California

The US Olympic Trials were held over the weekend at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista California. The race would pit the top eight American Elite Men’s BMX racers against each other to determine who would earn the second automatic nomination to the men’s BMX squad that will represent the United States later this summer in London.

Two of the top contenders were GT Bicycles’ Corben Sharrah and Mike Day. Sharrah, the rookie from Tuscon Arizona, was one of the youngest competitors in the race and at the opposite end of the spectrum was his GT teammate, Mike Day. Mike, native of Santa Clarita California, is the veteran of the group at 27 years of age. With his years of competitive experience Day also has a US Olympic Trials win under his belt from 2008 that punched his ticket to the Beijing China games where he earned a Silver Medal. But this was four years later and a new crop of fast and talented racers were all chasing their dream of being an Olympian.

The event started with two individual time trials that would determine gate choice selection and also would preview who to watch when it came to loading up the gate. The #24 of Sharrah came out on top with a new track record of 37.964 with Day coming in a very close 4th.

All eight of the racers would now gate up together for three rounds of racing to narrow down the field to the top four for the final. Corben would come out firing with a 2nd in the first moto and winning motos two and three. Though Corben was seen out front there was some incredible racing and unbelievable moves coming from Day showing why he is one of the most respected BMXers in the world.

Both Corben and Mike convincingly made it into the final but now all points were erased and it was one lap to determine who would secure the coveted spot to London. The crowd of thousands were silent as the gate cadence started. The gate dropped and Corben appeared to have an issue getting out of the gate and Mike was caught on the outside but was picking up speed. Diving into turn one Mike carved out some speed to catch up to the leader Conner Fields. Coming into the third straight Mike was hunting and gaining ground and so was Corben who was now in 3rd. Out of the last turn and down the last straight the afterburners were on but Day came up a mere .4 seconds short.

Both Mike and Corben were heartbroken that they didn’t get the win and capture the seat to the Games in London but both knew they put in tremendous efforts. Even though they felt dejected they still took the time to sign autographs and do interviews showing that they are true professionals no matter the situation.

It was an incredible and fun journey that got them so close to being Olympians but it is not over. They still have a second half of a USABMX season to compete in on their GT Speed Series race bikes.

We are GT Bicycles are proud of Mike and Corben and are honored to have them as part of the GT family.

The GT Bicycles team is privileged to be supported by GoPro cameras, Alpine Stars, Tioga tires, Lizard Skins grips, Alienation rims, SDG, Troy Lee Designs, Shimano, Box Components, KMC chains, Sapim spokes and Status bike stands.