Race BMX: What does it take to ride like the pros?

We sent BMX newbie Mads to race Simone T. Christensen, one of the fastest women in the world. See how it went here, and discover the top 3 techniques to become a true race BMX champion.

How challenging can it be to master race BMX if you have never tried it before? Well, the answer is very challenging. Want to see what happens when a complete beginner races a pro rider who just won a silver medal at the European Championship? Check out the video above.

We’ve compiled 3 techniques you need to focus on if you want to perform better on a racetrack than Mads.

Keep your pedals horizontal

This is the first thing you need to learn. If your pedals are not in a horizontal position when you’re jumping or riding over a set of rollers, you will get stuck, lose balance, stop, or crash.

But here’s some good news. You can practice this at home on the streets. Take a few strides and then practice maneuvering the bike while keeping your pedals horizontal. Once you feel confident with the technique, you’re ready to take it to the track and practice it while riding over jumps, rollers, and through the berms.

Learn to pump to win the race

Mastering pumping is as important as pedaling when it comes to gaining speed. Pumping is essentially a way to gain speed without using your pedals, which is very useful on the track.

As you transition into the jump, shift your body weight from the front to the back of the bike. Simultaneously, pull your arms, shoulders, and legs towards your body. As your front wheel goes down on the roller, push down and forward with your arms and legs. This will give you more speed, which is crucial if you want to win.

Master the gate

The gate or the snap, as it’s called, is one of the most important moments in a BMX race. A good start sets you on the path to victory. Learning how to position yourself at the gate is key to getting the best possible start.

Ensure your bike is placed straight: Look down at your front wheel. If it’s sticking out on either side of your frame, you need to correct it. Next, check the pedals, and make sure they’re horizontal.

Your hands, shoulders, feet, and legs should be in the correct position: Get on the bike, put your front foot on the pedal, find your balance, and place the other foot on the back pedal. Stand on the bike and learn to stay relaxed. If you start to fall to the left, push forward on the right side of the handlebar, and if you fall to the right, push a little on the left side.

Your arms should be slightly bent, and your wrists should be rolled forward (knuckles pointing down). The same goes for your feet and legs. Bend your legs slightly and position your feet so you’re ready to pedal. That’s how the pros do it.