UCI BMX NEWS MAILING March - 2004

UCI is launching new website
UCI is has recently launched a new website, with easy navigation and plenty of useful information. Perhaps the best feature is that each discipline will have its own front-page. From the BMX front page, you can easily navigate through various BMX items, such as news, calendar, ranking, results, World Championships and the BMX Supercross. Please visit: uci.ch

UCI Official BMX Track builders
Another step in the UCI BMX Development plan has been taken, when recently Tom Ritzenthaler (USA) and Mark Hildebrand (USA) has been appointed Official UCI BMX Track builder. Tom Ritzenthaler has been the main track builder for National Bicycle League for many years and has also been responsible for the World Championship track in Brazil 2002 and the UCI BMX track in Switzerland. Mark Hildebrand has worked closely with Tom Ritzenthaler on numerous NBL tracks and has also been responsible for constructing the X-Games downhill BMX tracks.
The UCI BMX Track Builders will be assisting UCI member federations building first-class BMX tracks, with focus on countries with limited BMX experience. Furthermore, the UCI BMX Track builders will be assisting in building the BMX tracks at all the major UCI events, such as the World Championships and the UCI BMX Supercross.

BMX Track building Seminar
UCI is conducting a one-day track building seminar in Aigle, Switzerland on Monday 12th April 2004. The seminar will be held by Tom Ritzenthaler and Mark Hildebrand (see above for details).
Various topics, such as the latest track design, jump designs, building technique and choice of material will be presented and discussed. For more information and to sign up for this seminar before the deadline 2nd April 2004, please contact: [email protected]

UCI BMX Supercross
The 1st round of the UCI BMX Supercross will be held May 1st – 2nd 2004 at Woodward West, Stallion Springs California (USA). Located 2 ½ hours north of Los Angeles, Woodward West is a newly developed action-sports facility that opened in May 2003. The camp features state-of-the-art ramps and skateparks as well as a huge downhill BMX track previously used at the 2003 X-Games BMX Downhill event.
Note that all riders must pre-register through their national federation (US riders shall contact National Bicycle League). Please visit the UCI website for additional information about lodging, travel and race information, got to: uci.ch
The BMX Supercross will be held in conjunction with a major BMX freestyle event, promising an action packed weekend. The CFB X-Games Qualifier presented by Target will feature Amateur/Pro Vert and Street event. For more information, please visit: hsacentral.com

UCI BMX High-level training
The UCI is introducing the first high-level training program for BMX, leading up to the XXIX Olympics in Beijing, China 2008. National Federations will be invited to send athletes and trainers to the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland to take part of the first high-level BMX training course of its kind.
From 10th to the 23rd April, 2004, Michel Lalande will lead a group of 15 athletes and 5 coaches in an extensive training and educative program for BMX. The high-level program is directly aimed to young athletes with the goal to become champions. The course will also include a training program for coaches that wish to develop their coaching skills.
There are still a few places for athletes available, please contact the UCI office to receive the official application form. E-mail: [email protected]