BMX World Championships Media Release

 No: bmx1021

16 July 2010

Mayor moves the earth – and leads Pmb into an Olympic qualifying zone
 
Pietermaritzburg – Pietermaritzburg’s mayor Mike Tarr armed himself with a shovel, and with dignity and delight turned the first sod at the Royal Showgrounds for the construction of the track for Africa’s first UCI BMX World Championships, starting on Thursday 29^th July.

Tarr watched with admiration as 2000 cubic metres of special soil started to be dropped on the surface of the main arena to be sculpted into a world-class BMX track.

The sought after soil, which has been sourced in nearby Tweedie, has a distinctive reddish colour because of its high iron content and its high clay volumes. It is readily compactable, making for a smooth fast ride.

“It’s good to get out of the office for a few minutes and be a peoples’ mayor. I’m at home with a spade in my hand, and wish this very prestigious event very well. It’s great for the city of Pietermaritzburg," complimented Tarr.

The transformation from piles of treasured earth to the race venue will take place under direction and bulldozer of Tom Ritzenthaler, the UCI’s full-time BMX track builder.

The larger-than-life American  has a reputation that precedes his arrival this weekend. A man with a tireless work-ethic, his earth-moving machines are natural extension of his hands as he artistically shapes away what Americans affectionately call “dirt”, to complete the unique track for the World Champs.

The track is the first ever double track, with a special eight metre high “hectic” start or pop-out ramp for the Elite Category, and a smaller safer start ramp for the rest of the entrants. The main track will also be the longest track at 375 metres for a World Championship.

Event Director Alec Lenferna who was on hand to watch Pietermaritzburg’s mayor wield the shovel, was clearly keen to pick up a spade too, but reflected “I so hope we can find a good venue to put all this precious sand creating a permanent track for the city." “If Durban get the Olympics 2020, we’d have a head-start to offer a nearby Olympic-standard BMX facility," he added.

Competitors will be using the Pietermaritzburg UCI BMX World Champs to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The SA Elite competitors are fronted by Sifiso Nhlapo who is currently racing in progressively improving style around the USA, and Dean Holdstock who has a suspected cracked vertebrae after a crash last weekend at SA Nationals in Alrode, Gauteng, but who is reported to be responding to treatment. An impressive contingent of Ilanga Newspaper-sponsored development riders are arriving from Giba Gorge near Durban.

The four day event will have a distinct family-friendly feel with safe nearby parking, lots of good seating, a disco, tasty food and refreshments on site.

The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August. More information can be found at www.bmxworldchampspmb.co.za

ENDS

James Lind-Holmes/
Gameplan Media

James Lind-Holmes/
Gameplan Media