2021 was a new chapter for women’s BMX with the introduction of BMX Freestyle to the Olympics. We saw queens crowned for the first time and new BMX royalties emerge. For the next two weeks, we will be announcing each day the recipients of the remaining Bloom BMX Award categories.
Yesterday, Charlotte Worthington took Park Rider of the year, today, we are pleased to announce Payton Ridenour as your 2021 Bloom BMX Racer of the Year.
RACER OF THE YEAR
Payton Ridenour
Payton “P-Nut” Ridenour is a seven-time USA BMX National Champion and is one of the top-ranked amateur riders in the U.S. Payton rides multiple cycling disciplines and won the prestigious UCI Red Bull Pump Track World Championships in 2019. In 2021 Payton earned her first BMX Supercross World Cup podium, a second-place finish in Bogotá, Colombia which sealed her ticket to the 2020-1 Tokyo Olympics. In the same year, Payton finished 2nd at the 2021 Red Bull Pump Track World Championships in Portugal, she won Rookie Pro of the Year at Grands, did Dirtvana with Mongoose, all while giving back to her community by doing clinics at various events like Women’s Weekend in the Woods and releasing a children’s book called A-Z: BMX Style. Here are some additional words about Payton Ridenour.
Photo by Kyle Carlson
“At 19 years old, Payton “P-Nut” Ridenour is far from your typical teenager. Payton is a seven-time USA BMX National Champion, an Olympian, a UCI Red Bull Pump Track World Champion, and a published author! We are so proud of everything that she has accomplished on and off her bike! She also has a great head on her shoulders and is the perfect role model for up-and-coming BMX riders! 2021 has been an amazing year for P-Nut and we cannot wait to see what 2022 brings for her!” Leigh Ramsdell (Mongoose Sports Marketing Manager)
“I can’t summarize all that Payton is or has accomplished this year in a single paragraph, so I’ll just say that I’m so proud of how hard she has worked to progress and how proud I am for her coming through clutch under immense pressure in Colombia to stamp her spot for team USA in Tokyo. What I’m most proud of though is the genuine human she is despite her success. She’s just as passionate about her kids’ book and engaging with kids all over the world as she is shredding her bike and that’s pretty special. Love you Pbut!” – Arielle Martin-Verhaaren (BMX Olympic Stength & Conditioning Coach)
“Really cool to see an upcoming USA girl get her first World Cup podium this year, which ultimately got her a spot on the Olympic Team! 2 huge accomplishments during her first year elite. Should be an exciting career ahead of her!” – Felicia Stancil (USA BMX Racing Olympian)
Tomorrow we will announce the 2021 Bloom BMX Flatlander of the year.
