By Jenny Anderson
Berthoud Recorder

Wyatt and River Bell raced their hearts out in the National Bicycle League’s 2009 Grand Championships held Sept. 4-6 in Louisville, Ky. Their first race was the 7-and-Under Open UGP Championship, in which winners were awarded varying amounts of UGP gear (T-shirts, shoes, shorts, and the like).

Entry to this race was earned by reaching the main event in at least three open class races at national races held throughout the year. Little River held his own during the race, but was unable to overcome the three-year age/size difference. Wyatt absolutely controlled this race. In the main event, he was shoulder to shoulder with a boy from Kaukauna, Wis. After that he took off, winning by half a straight and earning $350 worth of UGP products.

In the Grand National Championship, River raced hard in his 4-and-Under Rookie Class. He took the third-place trophy home.

Wyatt never lost a single qualifying heat in his 7-Expert and 7-and-Under Open Classes. This boy, who won second place in this year’s UCI World Championships in Adelaide, Australia, dominated his races, taking home the title of National No. 1, a “skinny” digit for his number plate, and trophies twice his height!