Joey Leto raced at the Carolina Nationals from March 15th – 17th. The weekend was a HC race hosted by UCI Cycling. UCI cycling is the international sanctioning body for BMX. HC races count towards international rankings and are weighted just below what a World Cup would be. Friday and Saturday were HC races and Sunday the USA Cycling National Championships.

Leto arrived in South Carolina the week before the race weekend to prepare for the race. He had great practice sessions and was feeling good leading up to the race. “I have raced Rock Hill, SC many times before and I love the track,” said Leto.

Friday’s HC was the first race of the weekend. The weekend started off with a big rain delay causing the races to be delayed until the afternoon. Leto felt great on Friday and rode well in his qualifying rounds. Unfortunately, on Friday, he did not qualify into the main. “I was in a qualifying position and then got passed in the last turn and didn’t make it,” he said.

Saturday there were no weather delays and conditions were good. “I was eager to get redemption from Friday,” Leto recalled. “I rode well in qualifying rounds again and had a good gate pick in the semi.” In Saturday’s semi, he got pushed off the track and it was the end of his racing day.

Sunday was his last chance to get a good result. Unlike Friday and Saturday, Sunday was the USA Cycling National Championship. Leto made the main on Sunday and placed 3rd along side Jeremy Smith and Kam Larsen. “I was happy to end the weekend with a bronze medal after a rough start to the weekend.”