Complex sentence: In 1979, he was able to devote more time to the sport and did well enough to ride in the National Championships and in 1980 he was seen as an up and coming talent in the United States.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1979, he was able to devote more time to the sport and did well enough to ride in the National Championships. In 1980, he was seen as an up and coming talent in the United States.