Local BMX Rider to Compete in Beijing Olympics

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Professional Bicycle Motocross (BMX) rider Kyle Bennett, 28, of Conroe, Texas will be a member of the 2008 USA Olympic Cycling Team. Bennett will compete in supercross at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the inaugural Olympic games for BMX.

Nicknamed "Butter", for his smooth riding style and skill, Bennett is one of the top BMX riders in the world. In 2007, he won the National Bicycle League (NBL) Pro Title, a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Championship title, and was second in the American Bicycle Association (ABA) Pro title. For his career, Bennett has won 3 World Championship titles, 3 NBL #1 Pro Plates, and two 2nd place finishes at the X-Games.

Bennett's stepfather, John Purse, was also a BMX racer and they are the only father-son combination to both win elite-level BMX racing titles.

The 2008 Summer Olympics will be held August 8-24, BMX racing will be held August 20-21.