This guide will give you all the information you need to help you understand BMX racing including, its rules, history, winning tactics and fouls. After reading this you should be able to easily watch and follow, or even compete in BMX racing!
BMX, short for Bicycle Motocross, is a thrilling sport that involves racing bicycles on off-road tracks filled with obstacles and jumps. It has been around since the 1970s and has grown exponentially throughout the years as it becomes more and more popular.
Types of BMXing
There are three major types of BMX done around the world. These include:
BMX Racing: In BMX racing, riders compete on a dirt track filled with jumps, banked turns, and other obstacles. The objective is to complete the track as quickly as possible.
BMX Freestyle: In BMX Freestyle, riders perform tricks and stunts on a specially designed park or street course. Points are awarded for creativity, difficulty, and execution.
BMX Vert: In BMX Vert, riders perform tricks and stunts on a halfpipe ramp. Points are awarded for height, difficulty, and execution.
This article will focus purely on BMX racing, but if you want to know more about any others, follow the links on each paragraph!
The History of BMX Racing
BMX began in the late 1960s in Southern California, where kids started racing their bicycles on dirt tracks modelled after motocross courses. The sport quickly grew in popularity, and in 1983, the first BMX World Championships were held in the United States. Today, BMX racing is an Olympic sport and has a strong following worldwide.
The Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI), formed in 1900, is the International governing body for all cycling sports and oversees international competition.
BMX Racing Explained Simply!
In BMX racing, riders compete on a dirt track filled with jumps, banked turns, and other obstacles. The objective is to complete the track as quickly as possible while performing tricks and jumps along the way. The race is typically divided into heats, with the top riders advancing to the finals.
The rider who finishes first wins the race.
Equipment Needed for BMX Racing
To compete in BMX, riders need a few pieces of specialised equipment. The main item is the BMX bike. This is a specially designed bicycle with a lightweight frame, knobby tires, and a single-speed drivetrain.
Protective equipment includes a helmet to protect a rider’s head in case of a crash (we recommend this one here!). Elbow and knee pads are also recommended to protect the rider from scrapes and bruises.
Main Rules of BMX Racing
In BMX racing, the main rules are fairly simple. The rider who crosses the finish line first wins the race. In BMX Racing, riders compete on a track with jumps and obstacles. The race is typically divided into heats, with the top riders advancing to the finals.
However, there are a few fouls that can result in disqualification…
Possible Fouls
Cutting the track: If a rider goes off the track and skips a section, they will be disqualified.
Interference: If a rider intentionally interferes with another rider, they will be disqualified.
False start: If a rider jumps the gun and starts before the starting gate opens, they will be disqualified.
BMX Race Winning Tactics
In BMX racing, there are a few key tactics that can help a rider win the race. They include:
Getting a good start: The first few seconds of the race are critical, so getting a good start is essential. Riders will often practice their starts to get the timing just right.
Finding the fastest line: Each track has a fastest line, which is the path that takes the rider through the obstacles and turns with the least amount of time and effort. This can be difficult to grasp as a beginner, but main points include staying as straight as possible (especially from the start to the first corner) and taking corners with an inside-outside approach, similar to car races.
Passing another rider: When passing another rider, it’s important to choose the right moment and make the pass quickly and decisively. Riders must do this very carefully to ensure they don’t cut another rider off, endangering the other rider or themselves.
In conclusion, BMX is a thrilling and exciting sport that has grown in popularity over the years. BMX racing is one of the disciplines of BMX with others including BMX freestyle and vert, click on the links in the first paragraph to continue to explore the various disciplines of this exciting sport!
