“This is by far the biggest track construction we ever build” says UCI track builder Tom Ritzenthaler. “Not only does the track feature some massive turns and jumps, but we have focused on making it very wide to allow for better racing.” continues Ritzenthaler. “it is one thing seeing the track in a 3D drawing, but to see its coming alive is amazing. I’m sure that the athletes will be excited once they see it in real life” ends Ritzenthaler.
The track will be officially tested during the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, to be held 20-21 August 2007. That will be the one and only time the track will be open for riding before the Olympic Games.
“This is an amazing track and venue; it is definitely of Olympic standard” says Johan Lindstrom, UCI Technical Delegate for the Olympic Games. “We wanted to bring BMX to the next level in the inaugural Olympic BMX event, and this has by far reached new heights of BMX track and venue design. The Olympic organizer BOCOG has really put a lot of effort into this venue, and the outcome is surreal. This place has everything, including an elevator going from the Olympic velodrome to the BMX venue.” continues Lindstrom.
For more details, please visit this site.
UCI BMX RANKING
The latest ranking has been published (dated 13.06.07), click here.
The Nations Ranking (and qualification for the Olympic Games) is published as well. And in the Nations Ranking for Men, USA is currently ranked 1st, with Colombia and Australia in 2nd and 3rd. For the Women Nations Ranking, Argentina has currently a fairly comfortable lead over Czech Republic and USA.
The Nations ranking is based on the countries top 3 riders (starting from the 2006 BMX World Championships). The Nations Ranking will function as the main qualification criteria for countries to qualify for the Olympic Games. (To view the Olympic Qualification criteria, please see Part XI of the UCI rule book on the following link;
UCI CALENDAR
The 2007/2008 BMX Calendar (from 1st August to 31 May 2008) is posted on the UCI website. See link;
2007 UCI BMX SUPERCROSS WORLD CUP
The first round of the 2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup was held in Madrid 13-14th April was a great success with fantastic racing. For the full race report, please visit www.uci.ch
The upcoming 2nd round of the 2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup will be held on the actual Olympic BMX track in Beijing, China. This would be the first time where a women class will be introduced in the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup. For more information of the BMX SX World Cup in Beijing, please visit the official website.
The UCI is pleased to confirm that the 3rd round will be once again held in conjunction with the AST Dew Tour, this time in Salt Lake City, 21-22 September 2007. For more information of the event, please visit the official website;
The final round of the 2007 UCI BMX Supercross will once again be held in Fréjus, France in conjunction with the Roc d’Azur Festival, 12-13 October 2007. With a very successful BMX Supercross last year in front of 10’000 visitors, it will this year be even more exciting being scheduled in the evening under lights. 20-21/08/2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, round 2 Beijing CHI 21-22/09/2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, round 3 Salt Lake City USA 13-14/10/2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, round 4 Fréjus FRA
2007 UCI BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN VICTORIA, CANADA
The world of BMX is gearing up for the biggest event of the year - the 2007 UCI BMX World Championships. A successful international test event was recently held at the newly created BMX track at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in the Westshore Community in Greater Victoria. UCI recently launched a new online registration system, used by the national federations to sign up their athletes prior to the deadline (Challenge classes – June 20, Championship classes – July 16) Please visit the official World Championships website which contains all necessary information such as accommodation, travel and pretty much everything else you need to know. Go to; bmxworlds2007.com
UCI INTRODUCING NEW CLASSES FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
In addition to the Masters category, the UCI is also introducing a number of female cruiser classes in the challenge category. UCI have communicated special procedures for the season 2007, which will be in addition to the existing rule book. Please visit: uci.ch
UCI CREATING OLYMPIC TRAINING FACILITY
The UCI are pleased to announce the opening of the newly reconstructed BMX track at the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland. The UCI track construction team, under the leadership of official UCI track builder Tom Ritzenthaler, has created a replica track of the 2008 Olympic Games track at the World Cycling Centre.
With the help of the official suppliers; Caterpillar Rental Store, Layher© scaffolding, Pro-Gate© and Murphy Productions Inc, the track has been completed under the month of April, making it available for the UCI high-level training athletes and any team wishes to come and train from beginning of May 2007.
“This BMX track is truly unique and the only one of its kind in the world, with its 8 meter high start ramp and same track design that will be used in the 2008 Olympic Games” says Johan Lindstrom, UCI BMX Sports Coordinator. “Any teams or riders that are serious about the Olympic Games, needs to have spend time on this track, no question about it” continues Lindstrom.
“The track is as close as you can get to the design of the Olympic BMX track, although with some jumps being designed more for training purposes than for racing” says Tom Ritzenthaler, UCI track builder. “To see some of the best riders on this track just put a smile to my face, it is that cool” finishes Ritzenthaler.
The track is app. 300 meters long, featuring an 8 meter high start ramp followed by two individual straight-aways (for Men and Women).
"We are especially proud of the start ramp construction, which has been designed first and foremost with riders’ performance in mind” says UCI project leader Matti Notlind. “This design will now become the standard for upcoming UCI BMX Supercross World Cup’s and obviously the Olympic Games” continues Notlind.
The World Cycling Centre can now offer one of the most complete training facilities in the world to National Teams and Trade teams. In addition to the BMX track, the World Cycling Centre has gym facilities, velodrome track, indoor BMX start gate, restaurant and accommodation near by. Interested teams are asked to contact UCI, to receive all necessary details. Teams wishing to book the facility, please contact UCI on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To view the UCI headquarters website, please visit; www.cmc-aigle.ch