Who could have predicted at the end of February of this year that the COVID-19 virus would ensure that all major events of 2020 would be canceled or postponed less than a month later? Here is a brief selection from the list at the time of writing: Eredivisie, Formula 1, European Football Championship and yes, even the Olympic Games are postponed for a year. And what about the cycling events? Many events have already been canceled, such as the BMX World Championships and various cycling races. The organization of the Tour de France (and Vuelta) remains remarkably quiet. Are they hoping for a small miracle? And so there is also a National Championship and World Championship qualification pump track planned for the weekend of August 22 and 23, 2020. A weekend that would normally leave me pretty pumped, but which at the moment feels like an afterthought. Our thoughts go out to (family and friends of) victims and the hard-working people in healthcare. By carefully following the guidelines, we hope to put this crisis behind us as quickly as possible. And it is not yet clear whether the planned National Championships pump track and the World Cup qualification can continue. We have no choice but to follow the government's advice. I hope that the situation will soon be under control, and that we can then dream about great sporting events again.
And what could that dream look like on August 22 and 23? The fastest riders in the country will then fly over the pump track in Roosendaal for one weekend. That same pump track where the day before the 3-year-old boy with a balance bike and the 6-year-old girl with her scooter rolled over 'just recreationally'. They are amazed and think of the day when they might be able to race like that themselves. Watch your heroes for one weekend, or for those who want, participate yourself! The National Championships on Saturday are also organized for smaller kids (from 5 years old). The 17+ class can get the red-white-blue jersey on Sunday, during the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier (or World Cup qualification for short). The top 4 qualify for the Pump Track World Championship, which will take place in Austria (Leogang) on September 5, 2020. I of course hope for a nice Dutch delegation to that World Championship, so that the pump track phenomenon receives some more attention.
The Dutch Championship (NK) pump track will take place for the 2nd time and the World Cup qualification for the 3rd time on the Velosolutions pump track of the CyclingExperience Roosendaal. It is easy to understand why this location was chosen again. With the size of 4 tennis courts, this pump track was the largest in the world at the time of its construction. And right now they don't have to be ashamed in Roosendaal, because the track is still seen as one of the world's best pump tracks.
We always build pump tracks at Velosolutions with accessibility as a starting point. Kids spend less time behind the screens of the iPad and TV, and cycle, scooter or skate together with friends. Playing outside with pleasure, that is the mission. Pump tracks have always had that free, spontaneous and fun character. Just do some racing on your BMX, not too difficult. In the 10 years that we have been building pump tracks, a trend has emerged whereby more and more attention is being paid to the organization of competitions on the pump track. The highlight of this came at the end of last year, when the UCI announced that pump track became an official discipline under the UCI flag. The news The fact that racing was going to take place on the Velosolutions pump tracks, resulting in an official rainbow jersey, came as quite a surprise to many people. There were certainly opponents of UCI status. They are afraid that the non-binding nature of pump tracking will be lost and that it will therefore become less fun. Personally, I see a National Championship and World Championship as a wonderful means of inspiration for young people. UCI boss David Lappartient describes it as follows:
“The creation of a Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships is a recognition of the specialty at the highest level and a demonstration of our sport's dynamism. With the know-how of Red Bull and Velosolutions we aim to meet the expectations of a public that enjoys a show and to make our sport even more popular with the younger generation.” – UCI President David Lappartient
In my cycling career I have never achieved further than a victory at the solo 6-hour MTB race in Assen. There's something magical about that red-white-blue shirt, or even better, that rainbow sweater. And that's where I think the power lies. With a World Cup or National Championship pump track, the 'sport' is also on the radar of the larger cities. And that's great, because with a pump track in the largest cities in the Netherlands we make a big impact and contribute to the playing pleasure of many children. And how special is it that the 3-year-old boy can ride on exactly the same track as the pump track professional? I am proud that we have already achieved this, and grateful for the cities and villages that opt for a Velosolutions pump track (even in times of crisis).
World Cup in your city or municipality?
As a city or municipality you can participate by having a Velosolutions Pump Track constructed and hosting a qualifying competition. Moreover, you can compete for the World Cup finals in the coming years through a bidding procedure.
Would you like to participate as a participant?
To participate in the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships you can register via the website Red Bull Pump Track World Championships. With qualifications worldwide, there is always an opportunity close to you. All competitions, including those in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, are announced via that website.
