So that’s it for another year, Zolder played a great host to the BMX world championships, with great racing from all ages and abilities. Next year qualified riders will be battling things out back over the Atlantic in the US, Texas.

Reading an Instagram post from BMX Compliments showing the medal table from the World’s they question why the US only had 7 podiums, a mere fifth of table topping Dutch with 35. They bring up a common theme which is track design/style. Having never been racing over in the USA, I can’t comment from own experience, however, it seems to be the word on the street that, US tracks tend to be more mellow, tailoring towards the more powerful athlete, whereas European tracks seem to be more technical, emphasising bike handling skill. Now I don’t consider either to be right or wrong however I think if I had a preference it would be the European technical style track. Why?? Well,bringing in the second point raised in the Inst post which was riding clips. As we all know here in UK racing for all ages under 13 is on flat pedals. Age groups 13 and over can then race clips. This year for the first time the same rule was applied at The Worlds, so in context where in the USA they ride clips from a much earlier age they were suddenly faced with having to ride flat pedals. Okay so they had fair warning and time to adapt to flats, but I wonder just how much riding clips at an early age takes away the technical ability that the perhaps learn here.

Consider the differences, riding clips with the correct ability will undoubtedly give a rider more power. The simple fact that the peddle stroke can now involve two elements, a pull on the pedal as well as the push is going to drive the rider with far more power than with just a flat pedal push. However does riding clips in early years hinder bike handling. Clips give you that extra ability to lift the bike in a whole new way, a whole new way which can get you out of trouble when your coming up short on a jump or getting a little out of shape. When you ride flats that get out of jail card isn’t there, you make the jump or you don’t simple as. So you perhaps hone in on that basic purity of handling the bike, being that little bit smoother. It’s just an opinion, obviously travelling over from USA to Europe to race is a big expense and without actually knowing rider numbers I’m sure they would have been lower, less riders less chance of winning. Like I said earlier I’m wouldn’t side with either but prefer the Euro style, please feel free to share your thoughts though and let us know where in the world you race.

One thing that I’m sure will happen, USA will feature much higher on the medal table next year when hosting the event in Texas, furthermore confirming the Euro/USA styles. Lastly you always get a curve ball, Elite Women winner USA rider Alise Willoughby!!!!!!!!