March 23, 2007 – The UCI is pleased to announce the BMX track layout, which will be used for the XXIX Beijing Olympic Games 20-21 August 2008.

With the inclusion of BMX racing in the Olympic Games, UCI has been determined to present BMX racing in a new exciting format, with a unique purpose build track for the very best BMX athletes in the world.

The track features a massive 8 meter high starting ramp, including two separate straight-aways for men and women. The track will be slightly downhill with a length of app. 370 meter for Men and 350 meters for Women. Rider will complete one run in less than 35 seconds.

“BMX track design these days has become a science, in order to create tracks that are spectacular and challenging yet in a safe manner. This track has it all,” says Johan Lindstrom, UCI Technical Delegate for the Olympic Games.

“The Olympic track has the perfect mix between sprinting pedaling parts, highly technical rhythm sections and the high speed big, burly jumps. The track will definitely be the perfect canvas to select an Olympic Champion among the very best,” continues Lindstrom.

The actual track construction will commence in May 2007 with UCI track builder, Tom Ritzenthaler (USA) leading the construction. Potential Olympic participants will be able to get acquainted to the track during the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, 20-21 August 2007. This will be the official test event and the only opportunity to ride on the track prior to the Olympic Games.

“One of our goals is to create a track that the BMX riders have fun riding with a lot of flow and rhythm, yet a track where they are being challenged,” says UCI official track builder Tom Ritzenthaler (USA).

“The track looks like a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to try it out. I think most of the top riders will say the same. You need to be a complete BMX rider to win on this track,” says Roger Rinderknecht (Switzerland) top elite rider and member of the UCI BMX Commission.

“Beijing 2008 is thrilled to be the first Olympic Games featuring BMX racing, and with this magnificent track is will certainly make a great impact in the Games,” says Zhang Kai, BMX Cycling Deputy Sports Manager of BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games).

UCI has created several 3D images to showcase what the track will eventually look like. The 3D images of the Olympic BMX track can be found at www.uci.ch