Race Techniques

In order to train effectively for BMX racing, it is best to break it all down into simple sections:-

·  Gates & First Straights
·  Cornering & Passing
·  Jumps
·  Rhythm Sections
·  Attitude

Each and every track needs to be broken down into small chunks. Then work on each chunk repeatedly until you have it dialled. Once each part of the track is dialled, each part can be pieced together bit by bit.
Part 1 of this BMX Race Techniques Article deals with Gates, First Straights, Cornering and Passing.

Introduction - Some Basics

The single most important lesson about BMX is to get as much track time as possible. Practice time before an event can make a huge difference to your results. Check out a track one to two weeks before a national. Anyone who is serious about doing their best will be there to get as many gates and as much track time as possible. You can make a long list of who is there. There will be riders from other regions, just getting in the hours of practice. It's often useful to whatch the more experienced riders and this is no exception. See how they practice one berm at a time, then a straight, etc. They will work on different lines and techniques, learning what is fastest and what options there may be. After they are happy with that chunk of track they will move to the next, manualling, jumping, pumping different ways through the jumps.

Many of the top superclass riders will also ride sections backwards, or just stand on a berm or a jump checking out anyone and everyone else to see what they are doing. Local riders are the best to watch as they hit each jump with confidence due to their ‘local knowledge’. Even when they make a mistake they are so used to the jumps they can correct it. The way I learnt when I was a kid was to spend every evening after school at the local track, then every weekend too. I was blessed as the riders I had to practice with were people like Dale Holmes, Geth Shooter, Matt Ryder, Charles Shooter and loads of others.

We spent a lot of time working on alternative routes round the track, almost like a new track to ride each time. We would run slow races that included a lot of elbowing, swooping on corners, all a great laugh but we learnt real track craft at the same time. Some of their names will be recognisable and our ‘mini races’ may have helped their success, It helped me and my brother to come from scraping semis at regionals one year to winning the finals for several years after, with Andy becoming British Champ and National No2.

One thing to note is that practice is not only easier and more fun with as many mates as possible, it's essential to have one or more people with you, we all know BMX is dangerous for your health!
Anyway, to start with the beginning: -

Starts

The start gate is vital, as are all the other component parts of a track, but the gate will be different at each track as to it's height, and the rate and point it drops. The one thing to remember is get a technique and stick to it, it will develop it'self as you get more experience but find the one set routine that suit's you. I have always preferred to watch the gate drop, maybe it's because I raced before traffic lights and beeps, but even now I listen for 2 ½ beeps to 3 beeps while watching the gate, Oggy generally watches the lights, so routines vary.
You have to anticipate the movement too, the only way to explain it is it’s like a package of events…

Move on to gate and get ready.	Place front wheel exactly where you want it, place back wheel and pedals correctly too. Looking down my race line.
Starter asks “everyone ready”.	Already sat on seat balancing on pedals, mind clear, not thinking about any other rider - just focus on the start.
Electronic starter voice says “OK riders, set em up…”	Stand up on pedals, don’t alter anything just move body more over back wheel into the set position.
Riders ready…	Move slightly further back into slingshot mode…
3 beeps, gate moves…	Move whole body forward whilst pulling up on the bars, almost in an imaginary loop…
Gate is down…	Your legs are just about against your bars moving you forwards with a slinshot effect on the bike. Concentrate and focus your power on that first and second pedal.

 

The start must be learnt as an automatic response. This will work on any track with the only difference being the way you time your snap action through and out the gate. Always aim to pull up the bars at the very start. This is because the gate drops faster at the top than it does at the bottom, and while doing this imagine you are trying to knock the gate down with your front wheel, not in a jerky ramming action, but a smooth forward lunge, like an up and over action. Watch how other experienced riders launch themselves through the start gate. Always make sure you are smooth and the first pedal out the gate leads smoothly into the second, which is a vital pedal stroke too. Imagine you are pedalling circles rather than just stamping on the pedals.

First straight

At least as important as the gate, the first straight must be practised until you are sick and tired of it, but it's crucial as to who will dominate the rest of the race.

Often as I am getting set up on the gate I will look down my line on the first straight, planning my route exactly, looking for stones and bumps and also looking at where I want to be on the track coming into the first corner. It's almost like eyeing up your opponent in a boxing ring, you want to know exactly where you are going and how. Try and cut out the possibilities, aiming for yor chosen line with full power all the way down. There are many things that can happen down the first straight. The guy next to you could get an amazing snap and cut across leaving you to pause then get going again. Make sure that any such pause is as small as possible. Patiently eye up where you are going to attack in order to regain your position - if you have the legs. If you are left behind at the start don’t panic, the race is not over. Use smoothness and stay relaxed, being tight and stressed will only bring on more mistakes and drop you further back.

Cornering & Passing

Always be aware of what is going on in front. Mistakes can happen and riders often clash - you can benefit from this and gain vital places. You'll need to stay cool and relaxed to take advantage of others misfortunes or untidiness. You may be faster in a race as the competitiveness carries you on trying harder. Leg speed and power is important, but BMX racing is about more than just power. Smoothness is the key to becoming a faster and more consistent racer. Possibly the best rider other than Dale and Kelvin for smoothness and track style is Ant Tuffs. He has often won a race from a poor start, just by concentrating on being smooth and relaxed and using the fastest and quickest lines without panicking if he gets behind.

When coming up to pass - whether it's on a straight, jumps or berm - you need to keep calm. Judge your next move and then go for it. You don’t have to pass the rider on the very next straight or berm, you can always wait and take them on at the next. Use your skills to their potential and if you’re a powerful rider use it. If you're good at jumping or cornering and have an upcoming section dialled, then that's the best place to overtake. If you can't manage it there, then look to make the move further on. Remember what you learnt in practice and how good you are on the next berm or the next double!
The most important thing is to concentrate and keep smooth and tidy.

Rich Camm