Talk the Talk!

If you're relatively new to the sport and it sounds like everyone is speaking in code, here is a quick reference guide to help you through some of the most commonly used BMX Racing terms and phrases:

Berm: A corner of the track that is built-up on the topside of a turn to create a banked curve.

Case: Coming up short on a jump where the back wheel of the bike hits the peak of the landing.

Cruiser: A BMX with 24" wheel diameter.

Expert: The highest rider classification achievable in amateur BMX competition.

Hole Shot: Taking the lead position out of the starting gate going into the first turn.

Intermediate: The classification above novice (beginner).

Main: To determine the finishing place ranking in classes with more than 8 riders, it's a final race after all qualifying heats have taken place to determine final placement of the top 8 qualified riders.

Manual: The act of riding a wheelie without pedaling – typically over top sections of various jumps and through rhythm sections.

Moto: A single racing heat (out of three), or reference to a riders' specific heat.

Moto Board: An area where the moto sheets are posted before and during the race.

Moto Number: The number corresponding to the riders' specific heats (moto).

Moto Sheet: The paperwork displaying the class heats in specific numbered order and the riders starting lane position (1 –8) for each (of their 3) specific heat.

Novice: The classification of a new/beginner rider to the sport.

Number Plate: Mounted on the front of the handlebars, it's a plate that displays the riders' earned or temporary number for scoring and identification purposes.

Rhythm Section: A back-to-back series of jumps or rollers within a section of the track.

Roller: A track obstacle that is rolled over as opposed to being jumped.

Sandbagging: Intentionally allowing other riders to pass during a main event, or within any round of a total points race, with the purpose of not gaining wins towards class advancement.

Staging Area: An area before the gate where the riders are organized into their motos prior to loading the gate.

Starting Gate: A flat-formed area with a hinged portion where each race commences.

Step-Up: A jump in which the landing is elevated above the launch.

Table Top: A track obstacle that is completely level or flat all the way across it from the lip to the landing.