Reader Eddie tipped me off to the BMX Olympics website, which has info about the cyclists and a news blog for BMX fans. There’s also a FAQ that explains the difference between BMX racing and all the bike commuters in Beijing.

BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing. The format of BMX was derived from motocross racing. BMX bicycle races are sprint races on purpose-built off-road single-lap race tracks. The track usually consists of a starting gate for up to eight racers, a groomed, serpentine, dirt race course made of various jumps, and a finish line. The course is banked and has flat corners. The sport of BMX racing is facilitated by a number of regional and international sanctioning bodies. They provide rules for governing the conduct of the races, specify age-group and skill-level classifications among the racers, and maintain some kind of points-accumulation system over the racing season.

Thanks, Eddie!