THE ONLY RACE BEFORE THE GAMES
The Chinese had a wakeup call. BMX will dominate the 2008 Games.
American rider Donny Robinson won the men's field, while British rider Shanaze Reade took it for the women. No Asain rider made it past the prelims. The only other American to make it to the finals was Jill Kintner, who came in fifth. (Final results below)
The first race at the Olympic venue was a test, the only event scheduled before the Olympics next August. Temperatures were soaring. Riders, in their helmets, thick suits and pads, had to keep drinking because they were sweating so much. There were 147 racers from 24 different countries.
The track is built like a bowl, so it slopes downward for riders. It's obvious from the press releases that the Chinese don't quite get it, as witness this description of the venue: "There are separate male and female tracks that cross at some points and the latter is slightly short than the former. Additionally, an extra layer of asphalt will be added to the bends in the track with consideration to the athletes' safety."
The track is rigid, with little creativity. International Cycling Union (UCI) officials had a hard time putting their feelings into the right words. UCI technical advisors Mats Notlind and Johan Lindstrom said, "Even if it's not the best, it's one of the best."
BMX is run in heats of eight riders, with each heat being called a 'moto.' Riders all jump out when the starting gate drops. The riders all aim for the fastest line, which, like any 'cross,' is only big enough for one, so every racer tries to get there first.
The third place man, Australian Jared Graves, told an Australian newspaper, "The races are really only forty seconds long, so it's really important to get out of the start gate fast and be aggressive down the first straight. If anyone tries to throw elbows in, you have to thorw them back and keep powering the whole way." In that way, it is a breathtaking course.
The big news of the BMX race was a name you will know by this time next year: Shanaze Reade.
First: in a near totally white sport, she is not Caucasian. Second: the three-time World BMX Champion, who has only been in the sport seven years, rides like a man. In an interview, she said, "I hope you will think of me as a badass chick who kicks guys butts on the track."
From the first day this woman got on a bike and raced, her daring and talent has made her a winner. She often races with the men, and almost always places, musch to their dismay. The "badass chick" will be the sweetheart of the 2008 Beiijing Olympics.
For a technical report on the race by BMX rider Tara Llanes, go to her terrific site: tarallanesracing.com.
RESULTS
MEN:
1. Donny Robinson, USA
2. Robert de Wilde, NED
3. Jared Graves, AUS
4. Raymon van der Biezen, NED
5. Pablo Gutierrez, FRA
6. Martijn Scherpen, NED
7. F. van den Wildenberg, NED
8. Arturs Matisons, LAT
WOMEN:
1. Shanaze Reade, GBR
2. Anne-Carolii Chausson, FRA
3. Laetitia le Corguille, FRA
4. Maria Gabriela Diaz, ARG
5. Jill Kintner, USA
6. Sarah Walker, NZL
7. Nichole Callisto, AUS
8. Tanya Bailey