what a great show the BMX racers put on. Often, a race that last less than a minute where the rider with the hole shot leads the rest behind in a train till the end. Its a bit boring. But what a show thursdays mens racing was
Half time TV presenter helen skelton, double world record holder was shocked by what she saw. There’s only one word to describe this: ‘absolute carnage’. She didnt know what else to say.
people tripple this, massive.
Prehaps the main reason why this bmx event was better than others, the track.
The first jump is at the bottom of the rollin, so its not a pedal fest. I like that the ladies jump the same as the men, and the jump is long enough for the men to ride.
The 4 rollers at the end of the first straight are interesting as riders are doing different things over them. The quad manual seems pretty fast as proved by maris strongbergs. ( The china 2008 tripple was good for the women, if any woman jumped them they would have won gold, instead they all had to double then to a big speed killing drop off. )
The 2nd straight has two jumps, mess up the first and you cant jump the 2nd and the middle is deep and grassed.
The chicane looked crazy, I saw riders getting pushed wide touching the gravel off the side of the track. Then after that a right hander which best round the outside to get maximum speed for the 3rd line but riders can risk washing out and attempt to over take on the inside and slightly ruin both riders speed into the 3rd line letting the riders behind them have a chance.
The 3rd straight is long, its hard to describe without a video but some riders roll the first roller then jump the second bump, others jump out the first bump. This creates riders jumping the rhythms out of sync and its looks awesome. There are so many ways though and so many ways to overtake or get overtaken.
right to left… 3rd line
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The 4th straight looks so hard to ride, the first roller is small, and the landing if you jump is steep. I’ve seen riders tap the top of it and then go to flat, it looks super hard to catch right. A manuel is slower than a jump so they have to jump it to win, but both men and women have crashed jumping it so damn. Glad its not me. Will shanaze reade jump it? I have watched her ride on freecaster and he jumping let’s her down. I’ve watched some of the french girls rider peynier, so they may have the edge in the 4th straight.
Its 6 rollers where the riders often try and jump jump jump, or jump jump manuel.
I saw one rider in a race today, roll the first roller then jump the next which is massive.
see below…. I have it on video but dont have the time to deal with that, so ms paint time
I liked the qualifying system, It was like watching a f1 season in an hour. 4 groups, 5 heats = 20 races. It worked really well for TV. It would be nice if riders had a colour each like japn kerin
Before todays action, people would say OMG why is bmx in the Olympics, whats next dance dance revelation? egg and spoon, musical chairs etc…. After today I think they will be sitting and watching at 3pm. When your trails are found out the landowner might be more clued up on what bmx is and be more helpful. Maybe some young kids will ride bmx this winter down the track rather then chase a single football with 21 other boys. Maybe they will be the next aitken, or hopefully they will build some cool jumps and let you ride.
I have in my hand Issue 8 of the albion.
“So is bmx in the Olympics? Of course its not”
what ever, it might be better without clips but its good enough for me to watch and be proud of
go on bbc, put some more bmx race events on tv.
And all bmx race events should be surrounded by grass
nosebonk