Sport

Building of BMX Worlds track on webcam

21 July 2010

Work on Pietermaritzburg's one-of-a-kind track for the UCI BMX World Championships is on the go at the Royal Showgrounds – and internet users can watch it all come together via webcam on the event's official website, www.bmxworldchampspmb.co.za.

Pietermaritzburg's mayor Mike Tarr got the construction going on Thursday last week when, armed with a shovel, he turned the first sod at the Royal Showgrounds. He watched with admiration as special soil started to be dropped onto the surface of the main arena, which will be sculpted into a world-class BMX track.

The sought after soil, which has been sourced in nearby Tweedie, has a distinctive reddish colour because of its high iron content and its high clay volumes. It is readily compactable, making for a smooth fast ride.

'It's great for the city of Pietermaritzburg'

"It's good to get out of the office for a few minutes and be a peoples' mayor," commented Tarr. "I'm at home with a spade in my hand, and wish this very prestigious event very well. It's great for the city of Pietermaritzburg."

The transformation of the piles of treasured earth to the race venue is taking place under the direction and bulldozer of Tom Ritzenthaler, the UCI's full-time BMX track builder.

The larger-than-life American has a reputation as a man with a tireless work-ethic who uses his earth-moving machines like a natural extension of his hands to artistically tracks. The one being built for the World Championships will be unique.

When completed, the track will be the first first ever double track, with a special eight-metre-high "hectic" start or pop-out ramp for the Elite Category, and a smaller safer start ramp for the rest of the entrants.

The main track will also be the longer track at 375 metres for a World Championship.

A permanent track

Event Director Alec Lenferna who was on hand to watch Pietermaritzburg's mayor wield the shovel, was clearly keen to pick up a spade too, but reflected: "I so hope we can find a good venue to put all this precious sand, creating a permanent track for the city."

"If Durban gets the Olympics 2020, we'd have a head-start to offer a nearby Olympic-standard BMX facility," he added.

Competitors will be using the Pietermaritzburg UCI BMX World Champs to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The South African Elite competitors are fronted by Sifiso Nhlapo who is currently racing in the USA and achieving plenty of good results. Also leading the way will be Dean Holdstock, who suffered a suspected cracked vertebrae after a crash earlier this month at the South African Nationals in Alrode, Gauteng, but who is reported to be responding to treatment.

Development contingent

An impressive contingent of Ilanga Newspaper-sponsored development riders will be arriving from Giba Gorge near Durban.

The four-day event will have a distinct family-friendly feel, with safe nearby parking, lots of good seating, a disco, and tasty food and refreshments on site.

To see how the building of the track is proceeding, visit the 2010 UCI BMX World Championships website.

The Championships take place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August.

SAinfo reporter