Hell On Two Wheels

The Age

Saturday August 9, 2008

Research: Megan Byrne

BMX is included among cycling sports for the first time.

After the starter's call - "Rider ready. Watch the gate" - riders wait between 0 and 2.5 seconds before the starting gate drops. A rider shoots out of the gate and down the 8m-high start hill reaching speeds of up to 60km/h.

RACING PLAN: Inside lane for the shortest run to the first corner but with this style of track it is still anyone's race.

FIRST STRAIGHT

At maximum speed a rider faces two important double jumps that requires them to stay low and gain good backside to keep momentum.

RACING PLAN: The long first straight should suit the powerful Aussie riders. The key from there is to stay smooth and continue to increase bike speed to the finish line. One mistake is all it takes for a position to be lost.

FIRST CORNER

Riders aim for inside to the middle of the berm.

SECOND STRAIGHT

The men's pro-section (arrows in blue) offers a tricky pump section before entering a nine metre pro-double then followed quickly by another 10 metre pro-double. Riders must pedal hard in the hope of making the 10.5m "do or die" berm jump which clears the women's track and lands into a downhill sloping asphalt berm. For the women's prosection (pink arrow) to enter a straight made up of smaller jump combinations that will test the best in the world.

RACING PLAN: If a rider overshoots a landing along this straight then their speed is lost, hampering their ability to jump the giant gap.

This would leave them no chance of finishing in the vital top four placings during preliminary races.

SECOND CORNER

A rider needs to find the fastest race line which then spits them out into the very technical and physical third straight.

THIRD STRAIGHT

For the men it starts off with a compulsory gap then each rider works out a rhythm combination.

The women's track starts with a 5.5m top before facing two 6m doubles. Once through the doubles the women pedal into the final berm jump.

RACING PLAN: Riders must maintain mental focus because this straight is another place where the race can be won or lost. All riders will have the opportunity to make up important ground on competitors due to the design of this straight. A rider must be physically and technically prepared for this very demanding section.

THIRD CORNER

A rider must cover their line and keep their speed as they enter the final straight.

FOURTH STRAIGHT

The final straight has a tricky rhythm section consisting of a 'roller' then a 'table-top', 'roller', 'step-up stepdown', then flat to the finish line.

RACING PLAN: A rider must maintain optimal focus on this very tough and technical section. It has multiple lines and combinations.

To get through it a rider must enter it with a good amount of speed to make it a smooth and effortless run to the finish line, pedalling where possible all the way to the line!

Comparison of bikes from other cycling events

BMX BIKE

? Smaller, lighter frame than other bikes for speed & manouvreability

? Lightweight 32-spoke wheels.

? Narrow knobby tyres for high speed and traction on dirt tracks

? Single powerful 'V' brake on rear wheel

TRACK BIKE

Carbon-fibre design built to maximise aerodynamics and minimise weight.

A stiffer frame than the road bike to withstand the pressure exerted at the start of track races.

Wheels

Narrow - produce minimum wind resistance and reduce track friction

Handlebars

Aerodynamic - keeps rider low on the bike

Brakes

None

Pedals

Feet snap into them

ROAD BIKE

Frame

Constructed from lightweight aluminium, titanium or carbon fibre.

Derailleurs

Which provide up to 11 gears

Wheels

Aerodynamically designed wheels with thin high-pressure tyres.

Handlebars

Triathlon-style bars are forbidden in mass-start races.

MOUNTAIN BIKE

Tookit

No assistance allowed to rider (tool kit is necessary).

Gears

Up to 27.

Pedals

Shoes clip in.

Tyres

Wide with a heavy tread.

Frame

Light weight carbon fibre.

Suspension

Front shock absorbers.

Brakes

Powerful

CUTTING EDGE ON TRACK: BT BLADE

Australia Olympic endurance track cyclists will ride the world's most advanced bike, the Australiandeveloped BT Blade.

The sprinters will use a similar bike, the BT Stealth.

? Blade weighs 6.8kg - the minimum weight according to standards set by cycling's international governing body.

? The Stealth is around 400grams heavier.

? They cost around $25,000 each.

? Australian team will take 20 bikes to Beijing.

? Aerodynamic seat pillar.

? Straight upper frame tube introduced.

? Anna Meares (only woman on sprint team) has a specially wider seat than the men.

? No brakes, fixed wheels so if you pedal forwards you go forwards, if you pedal backwards you go backwards.

? Tyres sewn into a material casing and glued onto the rim.

? Air pressure is very high.

? Tyres 19 mm wide.

? Wheels worth $7000-$8000.

2006 World

THE FRAME

Hollow monocoque design, with carbon fibre layers (same grade as used by Boeing). The number of layers will be tailored to suit individual athletes: ANNA MEARES might have only three layers of carbon fibres.

RYAN BAYLEY, who is bigger and has more power, might need six layers to increase the strength of the frame.

LUKE MADILL

The Australian is world No. 6, and has built a replica of the Beijing Olympic BMX track in his backyard in western Sydney. Madill got his first BMX bike at the age of three and rode in his first Australian championship at the age of five. Australian champion by age seven. He has broken his back (in three places) wrists, hands, elbows, and - repeatedly - his nose.

BMX LINGO

ENDO: When the front wheel of the bike is stopped and the rider falls over the handle bars.

HOLE SHOT: Taking the lead position out of the starting gate and going into the first turn in first place.

LOOP OUT: When a rider on a bike lands on the back wheel only and flips backwards off the bike

STEP UP: A jump in which the landing is elevated above the launch.

TABLE TOP: Jump on a track that is completely level or flat all the way across it, from the lip to the landing.

X-UP: When you turn your handle bars half way around in the air on your bike.

CYCLING EVENTS

AUGUST CALENDER

ROAD

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

TRACK

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

BMX

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

MOUNTAIN-BIKE

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

© 2008 The Age

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