BMX Racing is a much more intense sport than other more conventional forms of cycling, which generally value endurance over several minutes. Today you’re going to learn a little more about this sport, as well as meet the biggest names in BMX Racing today!
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Biggest names in BMX Racing today: historical context
BMX Racing, or bicicross, is a cycling discipline that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States.
Inspired by MotoCross, young Americans began to imitate their idols’ maneuvers on dirt tracks with bicycles, giving rise to Bicycle Moto Cross, or simply BMX.
The sport quickly gained popularity due to its accessibility and excitement, resulting in the creation of the first BMX federation in the USA in 1970 and the foundation of the International BMX Federation in 1981.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) began regulating the sport in 1993. BMX Racing made its Olympic debut at the Beijing Games in 2008, establishing itself as one of cycling’s most exciting disciplines.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Racing today are!
Biggest names in BMX Racing today: rules and disciplines
The rules of BMX Racing are designed to ensure the safety of competitors and fairness in competitions. Here are the main rules governing this exciting sport:
Competition Structure
- Start: the races begin on an elevated start ramp (usually about 10 meters high). Competitors await the release of the starting gate, which is electronically controlled.
- Track: The BMX Racing track is made up of a series of obstacles, such as jumps, hairpin bends and straights. The typical track is between 300 and 400 meters long.
Equipment
- Bicycles: used bicycles must have 20-inch wheels. They are specifically designed for BMX Racing and are light and resistant.
- Helmets: competitors are required to wear full-face helmets, which protect both the head and face.
- Protective equipment: in addition to a helmet, cyclists must wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and knee and elbow protectors.
- License plates: each rider must have a visible license plate on the front of their bike, allowing easy identification by race officials.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Racing today are!
Race procedures
- Race format: the competitions consist of several qualifying heats, followed by knockout stages (quarter-finals, semi-finals and final).
- Number of competitors: in each heat, up to eight cyclists compete simultaneously.
- Positioning at the start: the position of the riders at the start can be determined by lottery, previous ranking or qualifying results.
- Scoring: in the qualifying stages, riders earn points based on their final position in each race. The top scorers advance to the next stages.
Conduct and penalties
- Sporting behavior: all cyclists must compete in a fair and sporting manner. Intentionally pushing, holding or blocking other competitors is prohibited.
- Cutting the track: intentionally leaving the track to gain an advantage results in disqualification.
- Interference: any intentional interference with other competitors may lead to disqualification.
- Faults at the start: moving before the start gate is released is considered a false start and may result in penalties.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Racing today are!
Disposal System
- Qualifying: based on performance in the initial heats, the riders advance through the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finally to the final race.
- Final: the best cyclists from the qualifying stages compete in the final race to determine the winner of the competition.
Judging Criteria
- Time: the cyclist who crosses the finish line first is the winner of the race.
- Tie-breaker: in the event of a tie, the total time or position in previous races can be used to determine the winner.
- Replays and reviews: in high-level competitions, officials can use video replays to review incidents and make fair decisions.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Racing today are!
Biggest names in BMX Racing today (Male – World)
Niek Kimmann (Netherlands)
Olympic champion at Tokyo 2020, Kimmann is known for his speed and impeccable technique.
Connor Fields (USA)
Olympic champion at Rio 2016, Fields continues to be a dominant force on the international circuit.
Joris Daudet (France)
Winner of multiple world championships, Daudet is one of the most consistent riders in the sport.
Biggest names in BMX Racing today (Female – World)
Mariana Pajón (Colombia)
Two-time Olympic champion (London 2012 and Rio 2016) and considered the queen of BMX Racing.
Alise Willoughby (USA)
One of the most talented cyclists with several victories in world championships.
Laura Smulders (Netherlands)
Consistently at the top of international competitions, Smulders is a fierce competitor.
Biggest names in BMX Racing today (Male – Brazil)
Renato Rezende
The main name in BMX Racing in Brazil, with participations in the Olympics and highlights in international competitions.
Anderson Ezequiel
A young talent who has shown great potential in international competitions.
Biggest names in BMX Racing today (Female – Brazil)
Priscilla Stevaux
A Brazilian representative at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Stevaux is one of the country’s leading athletes.
Paula Lafranchi
Another promising young Brazilian BMX rider, with solid performances in regional and international competitions.
Chances of medals at the 2024 Olympic Games
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, expectations are high for athletes like Niek Kimmann and Mariana Pajón, who are looking to maintain their hegemony in the sport. Connor Fields and Alise Willoughby are also strong contenders for the podium.
In Brazil, Renato Rezende and Priscilla Stevaux have the chance to surprise and fight for medals, depending on their performance and preparation over the next few years.
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