Cycling’s youngest Olympic discipline has been the name of the game at the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland, this week.
BMX Freestyle Park athletes, coaches and national judges converged on the elite coaching and training centre for four days of theory classes and practical sessions on the UCI WCC’s BMX Freestyle Park facility.
UCI WCC Director Jacques Landry explains: “While BMX Freestyle is still a relatively young as a UCI discipline, the density and quality of riders does not cease to rise. At the UCI World Cycling Centre, we have a top-class facility where National Federations can come and train with their athletes on a Park that meets international competition standards.
“With the development of this discipline, it is also important to ensure there are enough qualified judges to work at the increasing number of events being held in different regions of the world. This week, we have brought riders, coaches and judges together to create a real BMX Freestyle Park environment.”
Classroom sessions have covered subjects such as concussion, nutrition, athlete welfare, anti-doping and social media. During practical sessions on the centre’s BMX Freestyle Park, the budding judges were able to apply their knowledge in a simulated contest situation.
It was a golden occasion for the trainee judges, such as Simon Yacoub. The Swiss architect is a BMX rider and manages a BMX Park in Cadenazzo in the southern (Italian) part of Switzerland. He is looking to build on his expertise: “I want to become a national judge and understand the different judging criteria to ensure consistency across all competitions.”
Probably nobody is better qualified to pass on that knowledge than Great Britain’s Dave (Hank) Cleworth, BMX Freestyle Head Judge at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, who has been leading judging sessions at the UCI WCC.
“We are showing people what judging is. When they go back to their countries and Federations they can help plan, run, manage and judge at a BMX Freestyle contest. It’s good to be able to explain in person rather than just reading instructions in a document, which can be misinterpreted.
“This week at the UCI World Cycling Centre shows how the UCI are here to help the sport and what tools are available to help the Federations. They don’t have to struggle on their own.”
The athletes – in between major competitions in Europe – also benefitted from the four days of activities. As well as training on the BMX Freestyle park, they were able to listen to advice from experts about different aspects of being a high-level athlete.
International Swiss rider Alexandre Sideris, a regular visitor to Aigle for training said: “We have learnt so much, for example about nutrition, which is always good to know. We have also learnt more about the whys and wherefores of the UCI Rules which is really useful. This week has also brought us all together. It’s been really cool.”
The camp participants also visited the Olympic Museum in nearby Lausanne which has a temporary exhibition “Riding the Olympic Wave” featuring six new sports – including BMX Freestyle - on the Summer Olympic programme.
Inaugurated in November 2019, the UCI WCC’s BMX Freestyle Park is an ideal training ground for both athletes and officials, who can also make use of the UCI WCC’s fully-equipped gym, restaurant and accommodation centre.
National Federations or teams interested in using the facility can write to [email protected]