This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It had been awhile since Brett Banasiewicz had reached the heights he did Saturday.
The 16-year-old BMX rider was a sensation last year in the Dew Tour, winning two dirt events, before losing in Salt Lake City. Banasiewicz broke his Dew Tour losing streak Saturday, relying on back-to-back impressive runs and his signature trick to edge defending Toyota Challenge champion Dennis Enarson and finish with a 92.31.
"It feels great," Banasiewicz said.
The format combined the top two scores of three runs. Banasiewicz finished his second run with the cash roll — a 180-degree spin into a 180-degree back — and on his third went over the final set of jumps with a no-handed front flip.
"I was so determined to land that second run," Banasiewicz said, "and after I did I knew it was smooth sailing."
Last year, Banasiewicz finished third in Salt Lake and needed to place in the top three at the Dew Tour championships to win the season championship, the Dew Cup. But the popular teenager nicknamed "Mad Dog" came up short, placing fifth.
"I have some redemption to do in Vegas," Banasiewicz said.
Banasiewicz also rides BMX park, an event that is not at the Salt Lake City Dew Tour stop this year. But he hasn't had the success of last year, his first on dirt.
"It wasn't really frustrating," Banasiewicz said. "I was riding so much, I think I kind of lost focus. But now I've got it back and can't wait for Vegas."
A big final run propelled Enarson, who won both dirt and park in Salt Lake last summer, to a 91.57 final score. Brandon Dosch, who won the Dew Cup last year after it slipped away from Banasiewicz, finished third.
Orem's Colton Satterfield finished seventh, while Idaho Falls native Josh Hult, who led for much of the event, wound up in sixth place.
Twitter: @oramb