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Kyle Bennett dies at 33; Olympic BMX cyclist

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Olympic BMX cyclist Kyle Bennett, the first bicycle motocross rider to qualify for the three-person United States men’s team when the sport made its debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, died Sunday in a car accident in eastern Texas. He was 33.

Bennett died in a single-vehicle crash in Conroe, Texas, north of Houston, according to a statement from USA Cycling, which sanctions competitive cycling events in the U.S. No other details about the accident were available.

A three-time BMX cycling world champion, Bennett won an automatic spot on the first U.S. BMX Olympic team.

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He was a gold medal contender entering the Olympics but failed to make the final when he dislocated his shoulder in a heat.

“Kyle was a pioneer in Olympic BMX and an inspiration to those of us that knew him,” USA Cycling Chief Executive Officer Steve Johnson said in a statement.

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Born in Conroe on Sept. 25, 1979, Bennett was raised by his mother, Donnell Purse, and his grandparents after his father died when he was 7.

His grandfather, who owned a motorcycle shop, encouraged Bennett to race bikes. At 9, he competed in his first national championship, in Memphis, Tenn. His stepfather, John Purse, was a professional rider who helped trained him.

Bennett turned pro in 1998 when he was 18 and graduated from Conroe High School.

A three-time national champion in the National Bicycle League, he went on to win International Cycling Union world championships in 2002, 2003 and 2007.

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Nicknamed “Butter” for his smooth riding style, Bennett was an enthusiastic advocate of his sport who dreamed of building a training center for youths.

“I would love for BMX to be a household name,” he told the Houston Chronicle in 2008. “It’s such an easy sport to get involved in. All you need is a bike, long pants, a shirt and a helmet.”

Bennett’s survivors include his mother, fiancee and a young daughter.

news.obits@latimes.com

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