Bakersfield Delivers | 2026 Golden State Nationals

The California sun peeks over the trees, unveiling a two-wheeled haven tucked into Bakersfield. Easy-ups line the property, vendors zip-tie their final products to display racks, and BMX racers from across the country roll in, all chasing their share of the USA BMX National points standings.

Metro BMX has long been a favorite stop on the National circuit, and it’s easy to see why. From the wide-open first straightaways to corners built for bar-to-bar battles and late-race passes, the action always finds another gear at Metro.

For the 2026 Golden State Nationals, and honestly, any California National, the intensity gets cranked to an 11. With stacked classes bringing elite-level competition to Bakersfield, here’s a look at three groups that had the grandstands on their feet all weekend long.

Powered by flat-pedal speed into the first turn, Barrett Macias grabbed the point in 12 Cruiser during Friday’s mains. But the pack wasn’t ready to hand it over. Charging into turn two, Gus Cruz and Alexander Martin pulled alongside Macias and turned up the pressure. While the trio battled for control, Colin Wooten, representing the Cyclecraft crew, quietly worked his way into contention and followed Macias across the line for a 1-2 finish.

Saturday introduced another challenger as Trenton Paxman entered the mix and immediately tested the class’s limits. Paxman delivered a wire-to-wire lap for the win, while Macias backed it up with a second-place finish, and Cruz rounded out the podium in third.

Up in the girls’ ranks, 15-16 Girls delivered one of the biggest rider counts of the season, featuring a true who’s who of the class. Addison Thompson, Landon Burian, and Preslie Gould entered Bakersfield as the favorites, but Danica Appenzellar and Kymberlee Porter made sure nobody could relax for a single lap around Metro.

Addison Thompson made the trip from Montana to prove her speed against the California crowd, and she did exactly that. Thompson swept all three days of racing in dominant fashion, going wire-to-wire in every main event she entered. Heading into Nashville, she’ll carry plenty of momentum and confidence in her bike bag.

And then there was the class that shook the finish-line grandstands: 15 Expert. Nate Walker, Judah Anderson, and Jorge Montano III threw their names into the fire, and the sparks flew all weekend long.

Saturday’s main event tore around the track with Walker and Anderson locked in a heated battle for the lead. As the two traded blows through turn three, Montano spotted an opening and capitalized, storming from third to first to secure another win after his wire-to-wire performance in Friday’s main.

By Sunday, Anderson and Walker were both hungry to leave Bakersfield with a victory of their own. Judah Anderson appeared poised to finally claim the top spot, but an unfortunate clip malfunction ended his lap early. Nate Walker stayed smooth and fast to the line, sealing the Sunday win and closing out one of the weekend’s most electric classes.

Bakersfield brought the heat, Metro BMX brought the chaos, and the Golden State Nationals reminded everyone why California racing hits different.

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