Gator Nationals 2026: Keegan Skinner Wins 15 Expert, Kristers Apels Makes His First US Elite Main

The Gator Nationals at Oldsmar BMX in Florida, October 23 to 25, bring the deepest fields of the fall: the South Americans, the Canadians and the whole East Coast in one place. The Supercross BMX Factory Team left with a win, a first US Elite main for a Latvian, and some homework.

Keegan Skinner: 3rd, 2nd, 1st

A week after going 8th, 4th and 2nd at Black Mountain, Keegan kept climbing. Third on Friday, second on Saturday, and on Sunday he won 15 Expert outright in an 18-rider class, beating the rider who had beaten him the day before. Six nationals mains in a row, each one a step better than the last. That is how a 15 Expert turns into something more.

Kristers Apels, 6th in Men Elite

Friday was the UCI day, and Kristers lined up in a 41-rider Men Elite class for his first USA BMX national. He made the main and finished 6th on the Vision F1x. Nineteen years old, one season out of Junior, a European Cup podium in September, four World Cup rounds in China in October, and now a US Elite main. He raced Friday only, with Sarasota next on his calendar.

Gaige Gomolicke, 2nd in Men Juniors

Gaige was second in Men Juniors on Friday, behind Tommy Bruney for the second week running. The two of them have been trading paint all season and Gaige is still banged up from the Black Mountain crash. Second in Florida a week after that is a good sign.

Corey Reid

Corey made the Vet Pro main on Saturday and finished 8th in a 12-rider class won by Barry Nobles, with Vincent Pelluard and Jeff Upshaw behind him. Sunday he missed the main. Two weekends back from injury against the best Vet Pro field of the year, and the points lead he built earlier in the season is still his to defend.

Justin Perkins and Deegan Brown

Florida was a tougher trip for Justin and Deegan. Justin missed the Futures Men main both days in classes of 37 and 20 riders, and Deegan missed the Men Pro main on Saturday and sat out Sunday. Both had strong weekends at Black Mountain a week earlier, and both will be at the Grands.

Full results are on USA BMX. Follow Keegan at @skinner_keegan_bmx and Kristers at @kristersapels.