Still buzzing from the excitement and athleticism of Day 1, the BMX community returned to Metro BMX for another action-packed day at the Golden State Nationals. Riders were greeted by a light drizzle early on, adding an extra challenge as they raced not only each other but also the slick conditions in their quest for Bakersfield glory.
By the end of the day—after the dust and rain settled—only one Pro class saw a new winner, while Jeff Upshaw, Derin Merten, Molly Simpson, and Josh Jolly all repeated their Day One victories. Each athlete made another trip to the winner’s circle and sat down for post-race interviews with Olympic gold medalist Connor Fields.
Vet Pro: Upshaw Stays Unstoppable
Jeff Upshaw extended his winning streak to four straight in the Vet Pro class, once again controlling the race from the front. Behind him, the real fireworks took place: in a dramatic third-turn scramble, Nic Long and Tyler Brown tangled just enough to let Corey Reid sneak through, charging from fourth to second place down the final straightaway.
ABA Futures Women: Merten’s Grit Pays Off
After an early crash threatened her weekend, Derin Merten showed true resilience. She snagged the holeshot in the Women’s main event and never looked back. Addison Thompson mounted a challenge down the second straight but was forced wide in turn two, creating an opening for Kate Sifford and Landon Burian to secure the remaining podium spots.
ABA Futures Men: A New Face Takes the Spotlight
The ABA Futures Men’s division delivered another plot twist, as Ethan “E-Pop” Popovich exploded out of the gate and put together a flawless run to take the win. He edged out Day One winner Ryder Santos and a hard-charging Brady O’Neil. With four different winners in four rounds, the Futures series is shaping up to be one of the most competitive storylines of the season.
Women Pro: Bakersfield’s Reigning Queen
Molly Simpson earned her title as the “Queen of Bakersfield” with another commanding performance. Launching down the start hill and clearing the first jump with authority, Simpson built an early lead that she held comfortably to the finish. Olivia Armstrong, known for her small-hill skills, and veteran podium finisher Lauren Reynolds completed the top three, with Reynolds making a slick last-straight pass to clinch her spot.
Men Pro: Jolly’s Breakout Continues
Rookie sensation Josh Jolly continued his rise by capturing another Men’s Pro victory. After muscling past hometown favorite Kam Larsen in turn one, Jolly fought through cramping legs to secure his second win of the weekend. Larsen celebrated his first podium of the season, while Jordan Callum notched the second podium finish of his career—both hitting key milestones in their 2025 journeys.
As the second day came to a close, Metro BMX once again showed why it remains a beloved stop on the USA BMX tour—blending classic track character with new-age speed and nonstop drama.
