"It is a fantastic venue for a BMX worlds," said Lindstrom. "I know the hospitality will be great, and the big entry of riders from over 35 countries are really looking forward to coming to Pietermaritzburg for the worlds." He added that the state-of-the-art track that will be constructed in the showgrounds arena will take the sport into a whole new era. "It will be one of a kind," he enthused. "Never before have we built a course that will have two separate start ramps, and the track will be technically difficult and demanding." The plans approved by the UCI feature and eight metre high start ramps for the elite classes, and a smaller five metre start ramp alongside it for the challenger classes. "This track is going to be insane," bubbled Pietermaritzburg's master age group world number one Sharlene McGillvray. "It's going to be fast and technical, which is exactly what we need for a world champs event."
The sport of BMX is growing globally, helped by it's inclusion in the Olympic programme at the Beijing games in 2008. "Since Beijing BMX has really taken off," said Lindstrom. "It used to be seen as a kind of underground sport, but now riders know that they can take it all the way to the highest sporting platform in the world. That is particularly trying amongst the female riders, where the standard is really improving at a very fast pace. In recent years the standard has also improved incredibly," Lindstrom added. "That's what make it a challenge for us to design a course for the world championships because the top riders are going faster and higher, but we also have to make sure that the course is fair for everyone." The Royal Showgrounds venue has been warmly welcomed by the international federation as it has a large number of buildings available to provide each of the visiting national federation teams with comfortable, spacious facilities fore their workshops and team lounges.
The local organising committee under Alec Lenferna presented it's plans to Lindstrom, who was excited to see the arrangements at an advanced stage or the event, which starts on Thursday 29 July and concludes on Sunday 1 August.
"This is going to be a great world championships and everyone is really excited to get here," Lindstrom concluded.
The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August. More information can be found at: bmxworldchampspmb.co.za
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.