By Jake Nordbye

Journal Staff

RAPID CITY - More than 125 riders competed in 30 classifications at the American Bicycle Association South Dakota state BMX qualifying race at the Black Hills BMX course Sunday in Rapid City.

Most of the riders were competing for a chance to qualify for the ABA State Finals for BMX held in Aberdeen later this month. The Rapid City qualifier was the last of three qualifiers held in the state. For a rider to qualify, they must have made the main event in their classification in two of the three qualifiers held.

Rapid City's Rachael Hopperdietzel won the main event on Sunday in the 11-year-old girls division when she came flying out of the gates and took an early lead over Shannon Bowles. The race tightened up in the last couple turns, but Hopperdietzel held off Bowles on the final straightaway to earn the victory.

"It feels good to win today because Shannon is a real challenge to beat," said Hopperdietzel. "She usually beats me. I got out of the gates fast, which is really important."

Hopperdietzel's older sister, Victoria, also rode well, dominating every race she rode in on the day. Victoria won the 14-year-old girls division main event by a large distance, as well as the 11-13-year-old girls cruiser division.

"It was a nice day today," said Victoria Hopperdietzel. "It was important for me to get out of the gates quickly and then just hold a nice line."

Another Rapid City rider, Cameron Goodrich, won the 13 year-old Inter division by edging Gillette's Jake Carrico.

"I just tried my hardest," said Goodrich. "I went to a camp last night and they taught me a few things, like how to get out of the gate quicker and peddle faster. So that helped a lot."

The South Dakota riders were competing for points that they will carry with them into the State Finals.

But the event also drew racers from all over the Midwest ranging in age from 4 to 50. "This is a huge family sport," said Steven Young, who raced in the 36- 40-year-old cruiser division. "We came from Aberdeen, and I came out here with my nephews who also race. Its great exercise, we all travel together, fix each other's bikes. It's just a lot of fun, and this was a great event this year."