BMX track racing and start gates

BMW riders must master the start.

Once BMX riders graduate from the novice stage, they are usually keen to start competitive BMX racing, where they can thoroughly test their abilities and hone their BMX riding skills.

BMX racing typically takes place on a purpose-built track that meets British Cycling regulations. Tracks designed for BMX racing vary, but they generally include a start hill and a starting gate.

Regional BMX racetracks, for example, are usually over 300 metres long and include a hill start, jumps, straights and berms that test BMX racing skills to the full.

Modern BMX starting gates typically accommodate up to eight riders, and one of the first skills a rider learns is how to make the best possible start.

No matter how skilled a rider you are, if you don't get a good snap out of the BMX start gate, you will end up trailing behind the competition.

Master start techniques

It is essential for any serious rider to master the skill of a fast start. This allows the racer to focus on the obstacles ahead and avoid worrying about overtaking a rider in front.

Top riders spend many hours honing their BMX start-gate technique and snap to ensure the best start in any race.

This is why Clark & Kent Contractors works with some of the top firms that provide starting gates designed and manufactured for BMX projects in the UK and overseas.

Choosing a start gate

Clark & Kent can supply, deliver, install and maintain any BMX start gate system demanded by their customers.

But the company is particularly proud to have built an excellent working relationship with Bensink in the Netherlands and Progate in the United States.

Pro Gate and (Union Cycliste Internationale) UCI have had a successful partnership for years, and their start gates meet international standards.

They have been used for the UCI BMX World Championships since 2006. Pro Gate was the starting system used for the Beijing Olympics and for the London 2012 Olympics, where Clark & Kent oversaw the BMX Supercross track rebuild.

Bensink has become a market leader in BMX start gates across Europe. The firm's safety gate system has become the standard at BMX racetracks and 4-cross events.

Get ready for the start

Gate practice for riders begins well before the gate drops and the race gets underway. Many BMX novice racers will crouch over the handlebars before the start as though the competition has already begun.

Top riders will tell you that a flying start begins with the set-up. A straight back and alert stance are vital to a fast break.

Elite BMX racers hold their wrists high with their hands rolled forward to facilitate an explosive start.

With cranks lined up with the slope of the start gate, hands rolled forward, and a back set up straight, the top BMX rider can exert maximum body pressure in the right direction for a great snap.

First signs of movement

Expert riders also focus on the top rim of the start gate for the first sign of movement. This practice helps the rider balance and position the body correctly.

As they wait for the start gate to drop, they prepare to push down on the pedals. Fast starts occur when the rider's body weight is perfectly aligned with the pedal's downward thrust.

Getting the snap gives the fastest rider the advantage of concentrating on the first jump or berm without worrying about other competitors.

Pole position out of the start gate gives the rider a significant advantage in a BMX race. It is then up to them to hold that position until the finish line.

More on racing bikes

 Get on a BMX bike
 How to get ahead in racing
 Choosing the best bike