Ritzenthaler builds each track together with 27 year old Canadian Kyle Michell, who was also a top BMX racer. "It's critical that we both raced. That way we know exactly what the riders expect from each jump, and on each section of the course." "A great course is not just about power," says Ritzenthaler. "To succeed a rider needs to have to think, and plan every inch of the race, then combine speed and power with that thought process."
The duo formed their unique track building tag-team after working together to build the course for the Victoria World Champs in Canada in 2007.
They have hand-picked red clay soil found near Tweedie for the track in the main arena at the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg. "It's perfect," said Ritzenthaler. "It compacts down really hard till its almost like concrete, and its easy to shape." Ritzenthaler seemed destined to a career building BMX Tracks, after growing up in a family that lived and worked at a BMX track in Ohio in the seventies. "My dad taught me how to build a track and make changes to it," says Ritzenthaler. He has seen the sport go through highs and lows, and feels that it is on a very positive growth curve at the moment. "BMX is going crazy over in Europe, while it is kinda levelled out in the US," he says
It has taken a six truck fleet three days, or 650 truck loads of non-stop ferrying to get the nine thousand tons of red clay into the showgrounds, ready to be shaped by Ritzenthaler and Michell. While Ritzenthaler and Michell sculpt the track, riggers are building the two side-by-side start ramps. The elite riders drop off a massive eight metre high start ramp, while a more forgiving five metre ramp will be used by the other classes. The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August.
More information can be found at bmxworldchampspmb.co.za
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.