Gretchen Teske Rhett Pavelonis has traveled all over the country chasing his dreams. This summer he's going international when he competes in the UCI BMX World Championships for Team USA.At just 10 years old, Rhett has been riding for five years — literally half his life. It all started with looking for a way to keep himself busy."One day at my brother's practice I picked up this green bike that we used to have, and I told my dad I wanted to race it," he said. "Then he brought me up here and I just started racing ever since." Ten-year-old Rhett Pavelonis of Silvis sits on his father's truck bed as he answers questions on Tuesday, March 11. Roy Dabner The 'here' in question is the East Moline BMX track, where Rhett practices multiple times a week. It was in East Moline that he first jumped on a proper BMX bike and he has been progressing in the sport.In BMX, riders are put into three proficiency classes: novice, intermediate and expert. Different qualifications exist to move up the ranks, and the qualifications change for male and female riders. People are also reading… Typically for boys, after winning 10 races they move into the intermediate class. After winning 20 races at intermediate, they move into expert. Rhett was in the expert class at age six, just one year after he started racing.Since then he's raced both at home in East Moline and at the state and national level. He's crossed the United States a few times, traveling to various races in Wisconsin, North and South Carolina, Texas and Florida, among other states. He typically competes in challenge and cruiser races. 10-year-old Rhett Pavelonis of Silvis rides the track at East Moline's BMX Speedway on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Roy Dabner Challenge races are age-group classes that each rider competes in. Cruiser classes use a cruiser bike, which has 24" wheels instead of the standard 20".In 2022 Rhett went international for the first time, as a UCI BMX World Championships Team USA Qualifier for the race in Nantes, France. He raced in the 8 Challenge category with five others representing Team USA.His focus during the trip was BMX, he said, but he made time to eat all the crepes, chips and espresso he could handle. The food was only part of the adjustment, Rhett said. The people were another story."It felt kind of odd. It didn't seem normal and I felt like I was in a whole different world," he said.When he travels in the United States, he said, everyone speaks the same language and the races are all held the same way. Going international gave him a different perspective, and motivated him to keep trying to improve his speed to get back for another one.That dream came true the first weekend of March when he was racing in Houston and found out he qualified for the 2025 UCI BMX World Championships with Team USA in both the cruiser and challenge classes. The championship will be held July 28-Aug. 3 in Copenhagen, Denmark.Rhett summed up his feelings for qualifying with two different bikes with just one word: "Excited." 10-year-old Rhett Pavelonis of Silvis sits near the finish line at East Moline's BMX Speedway on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Roy Dabner His biggest support and dad, Ian Pavelonis, offered a little more insight."He plays a lot of sports but it's the most proud I've seen him in himself," he said. "Not even just for the achievement, but proud of himself. And so happy."Ian runs his son's Facebook page that he updates with accomplishments and pictures of the adventures they go on. When he's not riding, Rhett is a typical 10-year-old boy who attends 5th grade at George O. Barr Elementary School in Silvis. He plays basketball, football, baseball and even runs track, but BMX is his favorite of them all, he said.And it's easy to see. When Rhett lines his bike up at the gate to start a race his head is level, his eyes on the path ahead. As soon as his legs start pumping he stands up, the speed carrying him back and forth on the bike until he hits the first big jump.And then, he smiles. All the way to the finish line. 10-year-old Rhett Pavelonis of Silvis rides the track at East Moline's BMX Speedway on Tuesday, March 11. Roy Dabner Iowa's Payton Sandfort discusses his senior season and the Hawkeyes' loss to Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament during a postgame press conference in Indianapolis on Thursday, March 13. (Ethan Petrik/Qua-City TImes) Photos: Standard Byke Company makes BMX bikes in East Moline Joe Palen pieces bike frame rods together at the Standard Byke Company production shop. Katelyn Metzger Owner and founder of Standard Byke Company Rick Moliterno talks about his frustrations of finding a good BMX bike in the 90s. He took it upon himself to build the bike that he wanted. Katelyn Metzger Employee Jake Palen welds bike frame together at Standard Byke Company's production shop. Katelyn Metzger The Standard "S" can be seen on the BMX bike frames. Katelyn Metzger A look into the Standard Byke Company production shop in East Moline. Katelyn Metzger Employee Jarrett Schwarz, of Schwarz Powder Coating, which is located in the Standard Byke Company shop, powder coats a BMX bike frame. Katelyn Metzger Rick Moliterno, hall of fame BMX rider, shows off the equipment used in making custom BMX bikes at his shop, Standard Byke Company. Katelyn Metzger Memorabilia from Rick Moliterno's early years decorates the walls at Standard Byke Company in East Moline. This sign was painted by artist George Sedlak, who painted daredevil Evil Knievel's bikes and helmets. Katelyn Metzger Rick Moliterno poses for a portrait in his shop Standard Byke Company, which is outfitted with several ramps. Katelyn Metzger BMX bike frames sit on display in the Standard Byke Company lobby in East Moline. Katelyn Metzger 0 Comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.

Silvis 5th grader qualifies for BMX World Championship in Denmark this summer

Gretchen Teske His focus during the trip was BMX, he said, but he made time to eat all the crepes, chips and espresso he could handle. The food was only part of the adjustment, Rhett said. The people were another story. And it’s easy to see. When Rhett lines his bike up at the gate […]

His focus during the trip was BMX, he said, but he made time to eat all the crepes, chips and espresso he could handle. The food was only part of the adjustment, Rhett said. The people were another story.

And it’s easy to see. When Rhett lines his bike up at the gate to start a race his head is level, his eyes on the path ahead. As soon as his legs start pumping he stands up, the speed carrying him back and forth on the bike until he hits the first big jump.

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031125-qc-nws-bmx — Rick Moliterno, hall of fame BMX rider, shows off the equipment used in making custom BMX bikes at his shop, Standard Byke Company.

Roy Dabner

The Standard “S” can be seen on the BMX bike frames.

At just 10 years old, Rhett has been riding for five years — literally half his life. It all started with looking for a way to keep himself busy.

Since then he’s raced both at home in East Moline and at the state and national level. He’s crossed the United States a few times, traveling to various races in Wisconsin, North and South Carolina, Texas and Florida, among other states. He typically competes in challenge and cruiser races.

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort discusses his senior season and the Hawkeyes’ loss to Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament during a postgame press conference in Indianapolis on Thursday, March 13. (Ethan Petrik/Qua-City TImes)

His biggest support and dad, Ian Pavelonis, offered a little more insight.

In 2022 Rhett went international for the first time, as a UCI BMX World Championships Team USA Qualifier for the race in Nantes, France. He raced in the 8 Challenge category with five others representing Team USA.

When he travels in the United States, he said, everyone speaks the same language and the races are all held the same way. Going international gave him a different perspective, and motivated him to keep trying to improve his speed to get back for another one.

Employee Jake Palen welds bike frame together at Standard Byke Company’s production shop.

A look into the Standard Byke Company production shop in East Moline.

Memorabilia from Rick Moliterno’s early years decorates the walls at Standard Byke Company in East Moline. This sign was painted by artist George Sedlak, who painted daredevil Evil Knievel’s bikes and helmets.

“He plays a lot of sports but it’s the most proud I’ve seen him in himself,” he said. “Not even just for the achievement, but proud of himself. And so happy.”

Rhett summed up his feelings for qualifying with two different bikes with just one word: “Excited.”

That dream came true the first weekend of March when he was racing in Houston and found out he qualified for the 2025 UCI BMX World Championships with Team USA in both the cruiser and challenge classes. The championship will be held July 28-Aug. 3 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

10-year-old Rhett Pavelonis of Silvis sits near the finish line at East Moline’s BMX Speedway on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Ian runs his son’s Facebook page that he updates with accomplishments and pictures of the adventures they go on. When he’s not riding, Rhett is a typical 10-year-old boy who attends 5th grade at George O. Barr Elementary School in Silvis. He plays basketball, football, baseball and even runs track, but BMX is his favorite of them all, he said.

Typically for boys, after winning 10 races they move into the intermediate class. After winning 20 races at intermediate, they move into expert. Rhett was in the expert class at age six, just one year after he started racing.

Challenge races are age-group classes that each rider competes in. Cruiser classes use a cruiser bike, which has 24″ wheels instead of the standard 20″.