Sport

Track opened, BMX Worlds ready to go

27 July 2010

As the world's best BMX riders converge on South Africa for the UCI BMX World Championships, starting on Thursday, the track has been opened to critical acclaim from the global BMX fraternity.

From the top of the eight-metre-high elite start ramp, Pietermaritzburg's deputy mayor Jabu Ngube was all smiles on Monday as she overcame her fear of heights to cut the banner to formally open the new-age track for the competition, aided by the UCI Technical delegate Johan Lindstrom, Cycling South Africa president Greg Till, and Pietermaritzburg BMX racing icon Sharlene McGillvray.

"We might have missed out on the soccer, but now it is Pietermaritzburg's time to shine," said Ngube.

A sporting destination

"We are working hard to position the city as a sporting destination, and the BMX World Champs is an excellent chance to show the world what we can do."

She also urged Pietermaritzburg sport lovers to support the event in numbers, which will in turn support the city's bids to host other major international events in the future.

"This way each and every person that attends the event will also be serving the city," she added.

Cycling South Africa president Greg Till was all smiles surveying the state-of-the-art track, which for the first time will feature dual tracks for the elite and cruiser classes, and two separate start ramps.

'A dream come true'

"It is totally awesome and a dream come true," said Till. "I have overcome the disbelief and I must say that the entire set-up has way exceeded my expectations."

Till also underscored the importance of staging an Olympic discipline world championships to such high standards, and the impact this would have on cycling's ongoing drive to have BMX included in the Commonwealth Games.

He also threw his weight behind the deputy-mayor's call for the public to support all four days of the event. "The support from Pietermaritzburg for the recent downhill MTB event was outstanding. I really hope that we can get the same sort of support for this event as we might get for a rugby match."

Home support

"All our riders will be easily identifiable in their green and gold, and you cannot understand what a difference the home crowd support will make for a lot of these riders," he added.

"We have plenty of world numbers and very experienced riders, but we also have riders who have never raced at this level. For these guys and girls the support of the home crowd in the Royal Showgrounds will mean a great deal," added Till.

The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from Thursday, 29 July to Sunday, 1 August.

SAinfo reporter