Olympics 2008: Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
Thursday, 21st August 2008 by Alex Turnbull
Today sees the finals of the first ever Olympic Bicycle Moto Cross competition which takes place here at the Laoshan Bicycle Motocros Venue in Beijing. BMX racing is brand new to these Olympics, and races take just over 30 seconds round a winding and bumpy 400m-long course.
Um... yes, those of you paying attention will notice that despite Google updating their Beijing coverage, the updates don't appear to have extended this far, so the actually very cool looking course is only visible as a rough clearing at this time.
However, the US team needed to practice for this event, and the course they had built at the United States Olympic Training Center, California, is visible1. So, despite no two BMX courses being exactly the same, we get a pretty good idea of what the Chinese one might look like from above.
The dark semi-circles are actually huge tarmac corners that in Beijing yesterday saw several dramatic spills and collisions. World Champion and GB gold-medal hope Shanaze Reade (19) crashed quite hard on the first corner, but still managed to qualify for today's finals on her second run2.
There is actually a 3D model of the Beijing course visible in Google Earth, for anyone who wishes to get a closer look at the exact layout of the course!
Thanks to VGT.
About the author
Alex has decided that his title will be Senior Vice President of Stuff.
That’s a hockey field.
@bluemukaki: That’s what I get for posting at stupid o’clock! Post updated, thanks.
another reaon for not postings at stupid o’clock – the race did not happen due to rain. it ahs been rescheduled for tomorrow.
The best time is from a french gold-medal hope! And the third time is french too! Go Anne-Caroline and Laetitia, go!! By the way… if it rains again tomorrow, they’ll have their medals automatically. Go rain, go!! 🙂
After posting this on VGT, I went on a search for more tracks like this. This style of BMX track with high-banked paved turns and a giant starting ramp is called Supercross.
This track in California was said to be the third permanent Supercross track in the world when it opened in January 2008. One of the other two is in Copenhagen (not yet visible in Google Earth), but I’m striking out on finding the third.
Amazing facility. Having this course will surely motivate the local people to invest more time in professional cycling.
I believe this is Luke Madill’s replica of the track.
View Placemark
uhhhh…is this like the trick they played on us with the fireworks? was there really an olympics, b/c this image appears to be in San Diego…..