Cycling Bmx Racing

BMX races are held on circuits of around 350m, including an 8-metre high starting ramp with a gate at the top, jumps, banked corners and other obstacles.

It will involve elimination rounds for 24 men and 24 women through to a grand final for men and women.

Eight riders compete in each quarter-finals, with the top four qualifying for the next round. There are two medal events: Men’s and Women’s individual.

Riders will contest quarterfinals, held over three runs, with points awarded according to places. The top four riders in each heat with the lowest points score after three runs will advance to the semifinals.

The semifinals are held over three runs, with the top four riders from each heat with the lowest score advancing to the final. The final is held over a single run.

About the Competition

Riders placing in the top four placings in each race for their best chance to progress through each phase.

BMX History

• The origins of BMX go back to the 1950s in the Netherlands. But BMX as we know it today was invented in Los Angeles in 1970.

• It was hugely popular with kids who couldn’t legally drive motorcycles, but still wanted to race. The first iteration of the sport emulated motorcycle racing, which is why the bikes are big and they have number plates in between the handlebars.

• That’s also where the name comes from: BMX stands for bicycle motocross

• The start ramp is 8 metres high. That first drop is how the riders pick up speed so fast.

BMX Racing debuted at the Olympics in Beijing 2008, where Maris Stromberg of Lativa took the Men's Gold and repeated the Gold again at the 2012 London games. Likewise there is a dual Gold medalist in the women with Mariana Pajon of Colombia winning the Gold at 2012 London and again in 2016 Rio de Janerio.

New Zealand BMX Riders

New Zealand have had BMXers at all 4 Olympic Games since it debuted at Beijing 2008. Sarah Walker OLY#1101 and Mark Willers OLY#1108 were the first athletes to compete in BMX racing at the Beijing 2008 games.

Five riders have represented New Zealand, 3 males and 2 females.

Sarah Walker won Silver at the London 2012 Olympics.

BMX Terminology

Berm: A banked corner.

Holeshot: Taking the lead position out of the starting gate and going into the first turn.

Manual: The act of riding on the back wheel without pedaling.

Moto: A single race heat.

Rhythm Section: A series of jumps or rollers back to back on a track that pose as an obstacle.

Roller: An obstacle on a track that is rolled over as opposed to being jumped.

Tabletop: A jump on a track that is completely level or flat all the way across it from the lip to the landing.

Time Trial/Seeding: A race in which riders start individually and race against the clock.

Transition: The curved part of the ramp.