Fresh off the success of BMX racing’s 2008 Olympic debut, the American Bicycle Association and NBC Universal Sports have announced an exclusive four-year agreement to televise ABA events and the 2009 UCI Continental events.

The ABA and NBC Universal Sports will deliver over 20 hours of programming per year for the next four years to an estimated audience of over 40 million homes.

 “On the heels of such an amazing debut for BMX racing in the 2008 Olympic Games, I am so grateful that ABA BMX, along with NBC, will be allowing many more kids and parents to witness what an all-around great sport BMX racing is,” said 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and Napa native Donny Robinson.

“As a racer, what more can I ask for than a four-year televised series? This is unprecedented in BMX racing and will allow the public to be involved and follow all the pressure-filled qualifications leading up to the London 2012 Games.”

With BMX emerging as the newest Olympic action sport in 2008 — and with the Americans claiming three of the first six BMX Olympic medals ever awarded — the ABA is poised for tremendous growth leading up to the 2012 Olympics in London.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the ABA staff on the organization and execution of the 2009 UCI event calendar,” said Steve Johnson, CEO of USA Cycling.

“These events represent the top level of international BMX racing in America and are a critical link in our athlete development pipeline. USA Cycling is very pleased to be involved with such a progressive organization to bring international-level BMX racing to the United States. The ABA has been dedicated to the sport of BMX racing for more than 32 years, and has a clear vision of the future. With this type of exposure for BMX racing in America, I’m confident that the ABA will continue to assist in the development of world-class athletes who eventually represent the United States in international competition around the globe.”

B.A. Anderson, the American Bicycle Association’s CEO, was equally enthused.

“We are very excited to expose the sport of BMX racing to NBC Universal’s 40 million homes, this agreement will continue to fuel the growth we have experienced since Beijing.

“The ABA has dedicated over 32 years to BMX racing and now that we are an Olympic sport we have a responsibility to our members and the country to make sure that our athletes are the best in the world.”

Among the elite competitors who will be contending the 2009 ABA/UCI race series is the BMX gold medalist and current World Champion from Latvia, Maris Stromsberg.

He has recently moved to the U.S. to put in a full season and chase after a national championship in the most challenging BMX series in the world.

USA’s silver and bronze medalists at Beijing, Mike Day (Lancaster, CA) and Robinson, will be among the many Americans out to defend their country’s home turf.

Other riders to watch for are the reigning ABA No.1 Pro, Kahlon Young, from Australia; Argentinian Olympian Christian Bercerine; and New Zealand Olympian Marc Willers.

The ABA, formed in 1977 and headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, is “The Sanctioning Body of BMX.”

The ABA organizes BMX racing for boys, girls and adults, nationwide and Canada. With 60,000 active members, 274 racing facilities and a 27 event-national race schedule, ABA is the largest promoter of action sports.

To view the national event schedule, visit www.ababmx.com.

Catch Donny Robinson on TV

Napa’s Olympian Donny Robinson is expected to compete in the televised race series from the following ABA National events:

• Jan. 23-25, Sooner Nationals, Guthrie, OK

• Feb. 6-8, So Cal Nationals, Perris, CA

• Feb. 20-22, Gator Nationals, Oldsmar, FL

• March 6-8, Winter Nationals, Phoenix, AZ

• March 20-22, Super Nationals & USA Champs, Desoto, TX

• June 12-14, First State Nationals, Milford, DE

• June 19-21, Midwest Nationals, Rockford, IL