Team Mongoose Battles at USA BMX Carolina Nationals in Rock Hill

By Leigh Ramsdell
Mongoose Sports Marketing Manager

The 2021 USA BMX Carolina Nationals in Rock Hill, SC, are officially in the books and what a book it was! Being one of the largest regular season nationals coupled with the USA Cycling National Championships on Sunday, Rock Hill was packed with chapters of non-stop racing with fierce battles for podium spots. 

Starting each day, Rock Hill kicked off the racing festivities with the Mongoose Balance Bike races. It’s such a treat to see these young kids getting their start in racing. We may see them in the Pro gate one day!

Mongoose Title Tot balance bike race at Rock Hill, SC
Future pro from the Mongoose balance bike race

Mason Hayes had a lot of racing ahead of him because he races 12 Open, 12 Cruiser and 12 Expert. While he consistently made the mains in Open and Class, it was the Cruiser class that Mason dominated! On both Saturday and Sunday Mason charged out of the gate and kept a good lead across the finish line!

Mason Hayes winning cruiser class
Leader of the pack, Mason Hayes winning 12 Cruiser

Sometimes the racing Gods just don’t work in your favor. Mongoose Men's Pro Cam Wood had a bit of bad luck over the weekend consistently drawing Gate 8 and dodging hefty crashes that would have kept most people down. Cam had a solid showing in his motos though, and making the Mains on Sunday wasn’t anything to scoff at. We just can’t wait to see him charge it at the next race!

Cam Wood Battles at Rock Hill
For some reason Cam kept getting stuck in the unfortunate Gate 8

It was great to see Payton Ridenour in the gate with the top women of BMX and holding her own! She was racing strong all weekend making the Mains every day and getting on the podium in 3rd place on Sunday! This was definitely a great weekend for her!

Payton Ridenour leads the pack at Rock Hill Payton with a healthy lead in one of her motos

We also got to meet our new Japanese rider, Asuma Nakai, who is both a great racer and person to represent Mongoose! Welcome aboard Asuma!

New Mongoose rider Asuma Nakai Battles Cam at Rock Hill Asuma Nakai and Cam Wood battling it out in one of their motos

Even with bad weather looming over us with a few strong gusts and the occasional down pour, I would say it was a successful weekend. I really want to thank the Hayes family for knocking the Mongoose setup out of the park and for making the team feel at home in the pit!

P-Nut takes 3rd at Rock Hill Nationals Congrats to Payton for her podium finish at the Cycling National Championships!
Cam Wood at USA BMX Rock Hill NationalsOne more of Cam flying at Rock Hill