INDEX
BMX racing is an exciting “bicycle combat sport”.
Celeina: Mr. Nakai is currently based in the south of France as a professional BMX racer, and is now temporarily back in Japan, is that correct? You are aiming to compete in the Paris Olympics in the summer, but first, please tell us briefly about BMX racing. Is it called “the martial arts of bicycling”?
Nakai: There are various genres within BMX. There is “park,” where you freestyle your moves, and “street,” where you ride like a skateboard in the city. I do “race,” where up to eight people start off at once and compete for the fastest time. Since we are not separated by a track like in track and field events, we are allowed to bump into each other and obstruct each other’s paths.
Celeina: Even obstructing the course is allowed!
Nakai: That’s right. So during a race, there are many instances of elbow-to-elbow collisions, or rolling over an opponent, and so on. So it is such an exciting competition that it is called “the martial arts of bicycling” in Japan.
Takano: The courses have ups and downs and are bumpy.
Nakai: Each course has its own characteristics. For example, this course has big jumps, or it is very detailed and technical, or it has long straights, etc. There are many different types of courses, so every race is different and interesting. There are many different types of courses, so every race is different and interesting.
Celeina: It looks very fast in the video.
Nakai: About 2 seconds after the start, we go down a hill called Start Hill, where we reach a speed of about 60 kilometers per hour.
Takano: That’s faster than a moped.
Nakai: Eight people go down the hill at once, and there is a lot of movement, so it is a great adrenaline rush for those watching.
Takano: What parts of the race should we pay attention to in order to enjoy it more?
Nakai: I think the fierce clashes in the races are very exciting, even for those who have never seen them before. Also, in the tournament, there are four competitors moving up one by one, and it’s not just the top competitors, but the battle for fourth place is also fierce, so I think it will be interesting.
Takano: So there is a borderline between 4th and 5th place?
Nakai: That’s right. It is also interesting to see the various movements when you pay attention to the players who are your favorites.
