www.cyclingnews.com presents the World Cup 2002

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2003 BMX World Championships - CDM

Perth, Australia, July 23-27, 2003

BMX 101

Answers - to a few Frequently Asked Questions
BMXology - A quick guide to some of jargon used by these knobbly-wheeled nutters

Answers to a few Frequently Asked Questions

What is BMX?

The sport of BMX (or bicycle motorcross) was first introduced in the United States on July 10 1969 in Santa Monica, Southern California. A year later the first BMX organisation was formed and has now grown to a world-wide sport, with over 100,000 registered BMX riders.

How do riders qualify for the World Championships?

Riders competing in the 2003 UCI BMX World Championships will have qualified through their individual national championships, or on their world ranking points.

What are the categories that the riders compete in?

A number of world titles will be on the line during the World Championships. Titles will be decided in the Championship Classes (Elite Men, Elite Women, Junior Men and Junior Women); Challenge Classes (22 classes in Boys, Girls and Mens) and Cruiser Classes (Championship Level, Elite Cruiser and Junior Cruiser).

What are the differences between the classes?

Championship class riders race on conventional BMX bikes, that is they have 20 inch wheels, whilst Cruiser class riders race on bikes with 24 inch wheels. Riders racing in the Challenge level are competitors other than those in the elite and junior elite categories. Entrants in the Elite and Junior Elite championship classes are competing for the prized world champion's medal and jersey.

How do riders get through to the finals?

Riders wishing to compete in the World Championship final must first participate in a number of knock-out rounds (motos), which comprise of a maximum of 8 competitors. Three motos are contested as part of the opening round in each class (age group); the top 4 riders, after these three motos, advance to the next round. This format continues through the quarter and semi finals, with the top four from each series of races advancing to the next round. The world championship finals are contested by the top 8 riders in each category, once all preliminary rounds have been completed.

BMXology - BMX jargon

Berm - A banked corner.
Cadence - A string of words a starter uses to prepare riders for the drop of the gate.
Drop-Off - A steep drop in the race track.
Gate - Riders line up behind the gate for the start of the race. They go when it drops.
Holeshot - Taking lead position out of the gate.
Infield - The entire area that is enclosed by the track's perimeter fence.
Jofa - Plastic mouth protector that snaps on to an open-faced helmet.
Main - The final moto of a particular class to decide who wins.
Mini - Smaller, lightweight racing products made for younger riders.
Moto - A single race taking place in one of the initial rounds of racing. Riders not qualifying for the finals are eliminated from competition only after completion of all the motos (normally three).
Perfect - When a rider places first in all his motos, in a particular class at an event.
Proficiency - Rider's skill level: Expert, Novice, Rookie.
Rad - Wild, insane, crazy.
Rollers - A series of bumps - 3, 4, 6, and 8 packs of them.
Slingshot - An illegal gate start that helps you get out of the gate faster.
Speed Jump - A little jump on the track that is faster to ride over.
Squirrely - Not in control, wobbly.
Staging Area - Relates to the area, behind the start line, where the riders line-up. In BMX racing, the next race starts immediately after the previous race finishes.
Sweeper - A flat curve on a track.
Swoop - To pass someone in a turn.
Tabletop - A jump with a long flat top. Some are as low as 2 or 3 feet, others are as high as 6 feet.
Transfer - Qualifying for the semi or main events.
Whoop-De-Doos - Three or more short jumps placed one after the other.
20-inch - The normal category for BMX racing, indicating a 20 inch wheel.
24-inch/Cruiser Class - A separate class form the traditional BMX 20 inch, using bikes with, not surprisingly, 24 inch wheels. World Championships are also conducted in Cruiser Class.