Robert MacPherson (BMX rider)

Racing career milestones

Started racing: MacPherson started racing in 1976 at the age of four, where crashed on his first lap around the track in practice. He didn't attempt to race again until 1981, and this time he did not qualify. In his third race he got fourth place. He had a successful child amateur career after that, and then left the sport in late 1986 at 15 years of age. He resumed racing in 1994 with the ABA Fall Nationals in Burbank, California on October 21–23, 1994.

Sanctioning body district(s): American Bicycle Association (ABA) California 9 (CA-9) (1983), CA-22 (1985)

First race result: Did not qualify in 1981.

Turned professional: November 1995, moments after his victory in becoming National No.1 Amateur at the ABA grand nationals. He was 23 years old.

First professional race result: Eighth place (last) in Superclass at the National Bicycle League (NBL) Christmas Classic in Columbus, Ohio on December 28, 1995 (Day 1).

Retired: MacPherson first retired after the 1986 ABA grand nationals to pursue football. He resumed racing in 1994 after an eight-year layoff at 23 years old. He missed the travel and camaraderie. He retired again in December 2002 to spend more time with his daughter.

Amateur

Valencia Schwinn: 1982

Zap Clothing: 1983

Vans: 1983-February 1985

CW Racing:February 1985-November 1986. He retired after the 1986 ABA Grandnationals

retired for 8 years (December 1986-Late 1994)

Mongoose: May 1995-December 1998 He turned pro with this sponsor.

Professional

Mongoose: May 1995-December 1998

Diamond Back: December 1998 – 2001 The 1998 NBL Christmas Classic was his first race for Diamondback.

To Fitness/Diamondback: 2001-2002

Free Agent/O'Neal: 2002

Amateur

National Bicycle Association (NBA)

1980 9 Novice Third Place Jag World Champion

National Bicycle League (NBL)

1981 10 Expert JAG World Champion (NBL sanctioned)

1985 14 Expert National No.3

American Bicycle Association (ABA)

1983 California District 9 (CAL-9) No.1

1985 14 Expert Grandnational Champion

1985 14 Expert Winter season* California 22 (CA-22) District age group (DAG) champion.

1985 14 Expert National No.1 (NAG)

1985 National No.3

Retired for eight years

1995 21–25 Cruiser World Champion

1995 19 & Over Expert and 21–25 Cruiser Grandnational Champion

1995 National No.1

United States Bicycle Motocross Association (USBA)

1984 13 Expert 7-Up World Championships Champion**

International Bicycle Motocross Federation (IBMXF)*

1984 13 Expert and 13 & Under Cruiser World Champion

1985 14 Boys Bronze Medal World Champion

United States Cycling Federation (USCF)

1981 JAG 10 Expert World Champion

Independent Events, Race Series and Invitationals

1983 12 Expert Second Place Jag BMX World Superbowl Championship Champion

1984 13 Expert Larry Wilcox/Pepsi West Coast BMX Challenge Series Champion.

Professional

American Bicycle Association (ABA)

1996 National No.1 Pro. Prize won: A customized Jeep.

1996 "AA" Pro World Cup Champion

Pro Series Championships

Notable accolades

Named 5th of the Top 90 BMXers of the 90's

BMX product lines

1997 Mongoose "MacFearsome" Signature Series race bicycle.

Product evaluationBMX Plus! February 1998 Vol.21 No.2 pg. 71 Note: this bicycle was jointly evaluated with the GT Speed Series Team bicycle.

2001 Diamondback Robert MacPherson RM20 frame

Product evaluationSnap BMX Magazine December 2000 Vol. 7 Iss. 12 No. 50 pg. 118

Significant injuries

Injured knee at the 1995 NBL Christmas Classic in Columbus, Ohio on December 28, 1995.

Damaged a rotator cuff in his shoulder at the ABA Lone Star Nationals in Humble, Texas on March 23, 1997 (Day 2) in the first main. He managed to race the next two mains and finish third over all. He eventually went into surgery.

Post BMX career

After his retirement in 2002 he went back to school earn a degree in physical education. He was hired as an instructor at Val Verde USD in 2004. When he mentioned that he was formerly a professional BMX racer, they asked him to set up an alternative BMX-related PE course. He is currently teaching that subject to troubled kids.

BMX press magazine interviews and articles

"Robert McPherson" Snap BMX Magazine March/April 1997 Vol.4 Iss.2 No.15 pg.100

"At Home with Robert MacPherson" BMX Plus! May 1997, Vol.20 No.5 pg.88

"Robert McPherson" Snap BMX Magazine August 1999 Vol.6 Iss.6 No.34 back of poster in centerfold

BMX magazine covers

BMX Plus!:

February 1998 Vol.21 No.2 with Billy Griggs and T.J. Lavin in insert.

ABA Action, American BMXer, BMXer (the official membership publication of the ABA under three different names):

American BMXer April 1986 Vol.8 No.3 (3) behind in the background Matt Hadan (1).