"Amazing Attention" Given to BMX Test Event, Says UCI

(ATR) BMX Supercross international media manager Simon Keijzer tells Around the Rings he dreams to have a cover built over the BMX track in London Olympic Park.

Keijzer spoke to ATR during a UCI BMX Supercross World Cup at the Stratford venue where the event will be held at next summer’s Games.

"It was difficult to set up this track, because in this country there are so many regulations to do with health and safety – we are in the middle of a huge city," he said.

Keijzer stressed his satisfaction with how the new Olympic Park’s first outdoor test event was progressing but lamented the heavy rain that had soaked the venue overnight and pushed back the day’s schedule to allow for the track to dry properly.

"The major problem was the rain. It was like a monsoon, and the track became really soft – obviously, we want it to be really hard for our athletes," he said.

"It would be a dream for me if the track was covered, because the weather is the only concern that we have. Everything else is fine, and once the extra spectator stand is added next summer, it will look like a proper BMX stadium – fantastic."

There were signs the weather was causing problems for athletes. Even in the hot sunshine, the course caused a few riders to crash and fall to the ground.

However, Keijzer denied that this would affect the athletes too much.

"When you look at these guys, they are very fit and healthy," he said.

"Crashes happen all the time. Of course, we take them very seriously and have a lot of staff on hand to help if something does happen."

Located at the north end of Olympic Park in east London, the new BMX Track is one of the most challenging in existence.

The men’s track is 470m long and featuresa berm jump, an S-bend transfer, a box jump and a rhythm section in the final straights. The women’s track is 430m long and features three jumps along the first straight, a tunnel and a rhythm section in the final straights.

The packed crowd was enjoying the sport as well, cheering on the athletes and enjoying the music - each athlete picks a specific song to accompany his or her own time trial.

Keijzer was also pleased with the attention the sport is getting, particularly from global media outlets.

"It’s been great. The event is completely sold out for tomorrow and for next summer I believe. We had somefantastic coverage from the BBC this morning, and on Sunday NBC will be showing footage in the U.S., which will give the sport some amazing attention," he said.

"This event has allowed us to be seen by so many more people, getting them interested for when we are here at the Olympics."

LOCOG said its competition managers were "very happy" with the progress of the event so far but declined to comment in detail until the completion of the two-day affair.

Team Great Britain hopeful Shazane Reade was a bit more forthcoming, however.

"Coming here and seeing the finished track is slightly overwhelming. It’s amazing to think that in a year’s time I’ll be competing here, on this track, in front of a massive crowd and millions of people watching on TV," he told ATR.

"Having a test event is a good opportunity to get to grips with the different elements and work out the challenging parts. I’m looking forward to getting out there. In a year’s time I’ll be back here and I’ll be here to win. Hopefully, a victory in the test event will be a good omen for 2012."

Reported in London by Christian Radnedge.