Brittany Duyao ranked #1 in region, #8 in nation, but…
13-year-old needs sponsors to compete at Grand Nationals
PRUNEDALE – BMX-er Brittany Duyao wants to race in the 2008 Olympics, but she’ll settle for her second straight appearance at the Grand Nationals in Kentucky.
“I’m going to the Olympics,” said Duyao after finishing up one of her practice runs Tuesday on the BMX dirt track at Manzanita Park in Prunedale. “I’m going to be riding (at least) until I’m 18.”
Duyao, however, needs community support to fulfill her racing dream through local sponsorships. Already ranked No. 1 in the region – there are four regions in the United State – and No. 8 in the nation, the 13-year-old rider competes up and down the California coast.
In her pit, Duyao always brings her sponsor banners, including South Valley Bikes, Tri-Valley Trucking and Around-The-Clock Tires, as well as Jackie and Tim Blank and Frank Soares. Any interested businesses or individuals, should contact Melissa Duyao at 847-5495 or Lizz Soares at 831-251-0067.
“It’s a year-round sport,” said Soares, Brittany’s aunt who teams up with the rider’s mom, Melissa, to make sure she competes at as many races as possible. “I love it (at the track). If I had the money, I’d be at every race.”
The trip to the Sept. 2-6 Grands in Kentucky will cost an estimated $1,200. Last season, Duyao had a tough go-around at the Nationals. After placing second in the first two heats, she took a spill on her bike when there was a pile-up in front of her. But instead of giving up, Duyao picked up her bike and carried it across the finish line for eighth place.
“The girls last year were all not that fast. There were a couple who were fast,” said Duyao, who wants to finish top five in the nation at the end of this season.
Duyao, ranked eighth in the nation last year in the National Bike League for BMX, competed in the Golden State Nationals in Prunedale on May 15. She placed first on the first day of races and second on the second day of races, moving her up from 22nd nationally to eighth.
“I practiced a lot for this race,” said the fierce competitor who was not satisfied with her top showing. “I wanted it all. I wanted the perfects this weekend.”
A perfect is placing first in every heat and the championship. On day-one, Duyao took one second and three firsts. On day-two, Duyao took two firsts and one second.
“I’m focused,” she said. “All I care about is winning.”
Up next, Duyao will travel to Santa Margarita over the weekend to try to add to her 780 circuit points. The race will count for double points, which is essential for a West Coast rider because racers from the East Coast get more competitions in.
“Any race I go to, I have to win,” said the four foot-nine inch racer, who expects nothing but the best out of herself.
When the NBL circuit comes to a close, Duyao does not stop, also competing in the ABA series.
Duyao trains three days a week in Prunedale, and every day at home in Gilroy, using a “roller” that hooks up to the bottom of her bike and tests balance while pedaling. She also has a personal trainer, Bill Campbell, and attends clinics between races.
“Her goal, and it’s a high one, is she wants to be in the 2008 Olympics (in Japan),” Soares said.
