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When Nickolas Quintana's father drove past the Duke City BMX track, he thought his toddler might be interested in racing bikes. Turns out, father knows best.
“I just came and fell in love with it,” Quintana said. “I love the competitiveness, the drive and how disciplined you have to be.”
Quintana, now 18, races in the BMX expert category and on Friday competed in the 2026 BMX Spring Nationals at the same Duke City BMX track, next to Isotopes Park, where he fell in love with the sport more than a decade ago.
The three-day competition, sponsored by USA BMX, brings riders of all ages (as young as 3 up to 60-plus) from around the country to Albuquerque. They compete across various levels, navigating jumps, curves and turns on a BMX dirt track.
For several on the USA BMX tour, Albuquerque is home and Spring Nationals — stop 15 of a 36-city national series — is a chance to showcase the community that helped them fall in love with the sport.
“The community is really good, especially here in Albuquerque,” said 16-year old Landon Larson, who started racing six years ago and is now in the expert category with dreams of becoming a pro. “It’s nice and friendly and they help a lot.”
That sense of community is one reason riders continue to return to the track long after their first race. Parents volunteer their time, experienced riders mentor newcomers and competitors often become lifelong friends.
“I really appreciate our local coaches who help the kids out anywhere from the novice level to expert level,” said Peter Appenzeller, father of 15-year-old expert rider Danica Appenzeller. “I hope the Albuquerque community appreciates that this opportunity is here and that this is a great place to learn cycling skills.”
The Spring Nationals competition is open to the public and continues Saturday and Sunday. There is no cost to attend but there is a $10 charge for parking at Duke City BMX, 1011 Buena Vista SE.
The event is expected to draw nearly 2,000 attendees and contribute $850,000 to the local economy.
Karmina Conde is a reporter for the Journal. You can reach her at [email protected]
Continue reading...
“I just came and fell in love with it,” Quintana said. “I love the competitiveness, the drive and how disciplined you have to be.”
Quintana, now 18, races in the BMX expert category and on Friday competed in the 2026 BMX Spring Nationals at the same Duke City BMX track, next to Isotopes Park, where he fell in love with the sport more than a decade ago.
The three-day competition, sponsored by USA BMX, brings riders of all ages (as young as 3 up to 60-plus) from around the country to Albuquerque. They compete across various levels, navigating jumps, curves and turns on a BMX dirt track.
For several on the USA BMX tour, Albuquerque is home and Spring Nationals — stop 15 of a 36-city national series — is a chance to showcase the community that helped them fall in love with the sport.
“The community is really good, especially here in Albuquerque,” said 16-year old Landon Larson, who started racing six years ago and is now in the expert category with dreams of becoming a pro. “It’s nice and friendly and they help a lot.”
That sense of community is one reason riders continue to return to the track long after their first race. Parents volunteer their time, experienced riders mentor newcomers and competitors often become lifelong friends.
“I really appreciate our local coaches who help the kids out anywhere from the novice level to expert level,” said Peter Appenzeller, father of 15-year-old expert rider Danica Appenzeller. “I hope the Albuquerque community appreciates that this opportunity is here and that this is a great place to learn cycling skills.”
The Spring Nationals competition is open to the public and continues Saturday and Sunday. There is no cost to attend but there is a $10 charge for parking at Duke City BMX, 1011 Buena Vista SE.
The event is expected to draw nearly 2,000 attendees and contribute $850,000 to the local economy.
Karmina Conde is a reporter for the Journal. You can reach her at [email protected]
Continue reading...
