BMX racing
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BMX Racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing. BMX bicycle races are sprint races on purpose built off-road single lap racetracks. The track usually consists of a starting gate for up to eight racers, a groomed serpentine dirt racecourse made up of various jumps, banked and flat corners, and a finish line.
The organization of BMX racing is facilitated by a number of regional and international sanctioning bodies. These sanctioning bodies provide a set of rules governing the conduct of the races, specify age-group and skill level classifications among the racers, and maintain some kind of points accumulation system over a racing season. The sport is largely participant-driven with the average racer age of approximately 13 years. Professional ranks exist for both men and women, where the average age is higher.
A BMX bicycle is a strong, relatively quick-handling, lightweight deriviative of the standard 20"-wheel single-speed youth bicycle. Variations include larger 24" wheel BMX bikes and occasional multi-speed bikes.
While BMX racing is an individual sport, racing teams are often formed from racers in different classifications for camaraderie and often for business exposure of a sponsoring organization or company. BMX racing rewards strength, quickness, and bike handling skills. Many successful BMX racers have gone on to leverage their skills in other forms of bicycle and motorcycle competitions.
BMX Racing will become a medal sport at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.