TRURO - Experience did nothing for Drew Bezanson this time around.
The 23-year-old Onslow Mountain native and BMX star was lost for words when it was announced he was the winner of this year's NORA Cup as the world's top ramp rider at a recent awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
"I didn't know what to say in my speech once again," he said with a laugh. "It's just an honour."
It was Bezanson's second NORA Cup - the most prestigious award a BMX rider can win - in three years after taking the title in 2010. An award is presented to the top racer, street rider, flatland rider, dirt rider, ramp rider as well as the years best video. Winners are selected by industry insiders and announced in an Academy Award-type evening.
Bezanson was chosen over fellow competitors Brett Banasiewicz, Scotty Cranmer, Tom Dugan and Dennis Enarson.
Even though he was lost for words, the second time was certainly sweeter for Bezanson, who now lives in California.
"Definitely," he said. "My 2012 season has been incredible, definitely my best year yet and I still have a bunch of stuff I'm looking forward to."
Bezanson has done his share of winning in 2012, most recently taking victory at the Balitic Games in Gdansk, Poland. He also posted wins at the Toronto BMX Jam and Simpel Session in Tallinn, Estonia.
Bezanson also finished third at the Red Bull Empire of Dirt in London, England and came home fifth at the X Games in Los Angeles.
"I'm definitely riding better now than I was in 2010 when I won my first." he said.
But Bezanson, one of the most popular riders in BMX for his creativity and fearlessness, said he didn't expect a second NORA Cup.
"It was hard to tell and I didn't want to get over excited," he said. "I was just honoured to be nominated again."
The award holds special meaning for Bezanson after missing much of the 2011 season due to injuries suffered in a crash.
"Coming back from the year I had in 2011 to this year is night and day and I'm just happy to be back on my bike."
He'll remain on it for much of the calendar year. He'll be competing in BMX dirt and streetstyle at the second stop of the Dew Tour in San Francisco next month before flying to Paris to take part in Red Bull Skylines, a contest he's been helping organize for Nov. 2 at Le Grand Palais.
He's also getting set to start filming a new video.
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