With a crowd of past, present and future BMX stars proudly looking on, USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson and Steve Roush of the U.S. Olympic Committee officially opened the Olympic BMX training track on January 21 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, four members of the U.S. BMX Olympic talent pool sped down the 19-foot-high starting ramp and onto the 370-meter course, which is dotted with berms and sizable jumps. The USOC track dwarfs regional BMX courses because both elite and amateur riders compete on the same course at national and regional-level races. Understandably, regional courses feature shorter starting ramps and smaller jumps to accommodate riders of different levels. But with only elite athletes competing in the Olympics, organizers have decided to test athletes' skills with tougher courses. (source:
velonews.com)
