BMX is a fascinating off-road cycle racing sport. Instead of a straight road, the track consists of dirt racecourse with jumps, rollers, step-up doubles and of course, a finish line. The format is originally adapted from motocross racing sport. The motorized sport was a revelation for the enthusiastic cyclists, and thus BMX cycling race originated. The BMX race debuted in Beijing Olympics 2008 and opened to a great frenzy! BMX track is anticipated to be a great event in Olympics 2012 as well. The track was used for the first time during the third round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, a test event for the London 2012 BMX competition. The event was a success with the spectators flocking the 400-metre BMX track and cheering the cyclists. It will be a second opportunity for the crazy and speedy BMX riders to get their adrenaline fix and showcase their love for speed during Olympics. The BMX track has a sitting arrangement for about 6000 spectators.
Fast Facts
Sport Events BMX Cycling
Location On the northern side of the Olympic Park
New or Existing New
Permanent or Temporary After the Games, the BMX Track will be reconstructed to make a part of the new Velo Park
Number Of Events To Be Hosted 2 Events
BMX Track - The Construction
The construction of the BMX track at London commenced on spring 2011. Goal was to deliver a world-class cycling track and thus a lot of effort and resources went into the construction. Finally, BMX track is ready for its crazy spectators. The BMX track, which is a 400-meter circuit, has rollers, jumps and all the fun for the riders as well as the spectators. The area of the venue is 160 meter by 90 meter, which is even larger than a standard football pitch. The construction was done in stages - the first stage was dedicated to 14,000m of soil, which was reused to create a series of levels upto 4 meters high. This became the base for BMX track. Then the BMX track designers constructed the 400 meter track to meet the stringent requirements of this game.
During The Games
BMX Track will be utilized during the Olympic Games 2012 to showcase the BMX Cycling competition. The 400-metre circuit is located next to the Velodrome in the north of the Olympic Park. The sport is scheduled for 3 days, from August 8, 2012 to August 10, 2012. 48 Athletes will take part and race for 2 gold medals at the BMX track, one for men and another for women. It is anticipated that this event will take sport of cycle racing to a different level all together.
After The Games
After the games, the temporary seating arrangement will be removed and the BMX track will be reconstructed to make it suitable for community use such as for riders of all ages and abilities as well as for cycling clubs. It will provide state-of-art facilities for the cyclists. The track will be affixed by a new mountain bike track and road-cycle circuit, forming a Lee Valley Velo Park. The place will be owned, funded and run by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.
Some Interesting Facts About The BMX Track
Bitten by the BMX mania? If you want to know all about the BMX track and how this sport will create sensation during London Olympics 2012, this write-up will answer all your queries.
BMX Track
- BMX racing is not just for bicycles, in fact it was originated from motorcross racing.
- BMX is as old as 1970s, inspired by children who rode their bicycles through dirty tracks in South California.
- At the Beijing Olympics 2008, BMX gold medals were awarded to Latvia’s Maris Strombergs and France’s Anne-Caroline Chausson.
Conclusion
The race has just begun! There are many regional and international bodies that approve the sport of BMX racing such as American Bicycle Association (ABA) and the National Bicycle League (NBL). Also, hope to see more spectators to cheer the enthusiast riders who will be cycling through the ups and downs of this tricky BMX track! So get, set, going!
The race has just begun! There are many regional and international bodies that approve the sport of BMX racing such as American Bicycle Association (ABA) and the National Bicycle League (NBL). Also, hope to see more spectators to cheer the enthusiast riders who will be cycling through the ups and downs of this tricky BMX track! So get, set, going!