What Is The Red Bull Pump Track World Championship?

You probably have heard by now that The Jones Center is hosting the 2018 Red Bull Pump Track World Championship this October 13th. Wait what? The Jones Center has a pump track? Yup, the largest in the U.S. and Red Bull is bringing its Pump Track World Championship here! But many of you are not quite sure what a pump track competition even is. So, we checked in with the creator/designer of the track Claudio Caluori of Velosolutions.

OCA: Claudio what is a pump track?
CC: The name “pump track” comes from the pumping motion used by the rider’s upper and lower body as they ride around the track. The idea of a pump track is to use this pumping motion to maintain your speed around the track without pedaling. It’s a great work out and lots of fun! Pump tracks originated in the BMX biking world. A pump track is a continuous loop of dirt berms and “rollers” (smooth dirt mounds).

OCA: Tell us about Runway Bike Park at The Jones Center.
CC: Runway Bike Park consists of the Bicycle Playground, The Pump Track and The Skills Lines features. The bicycle playground is designed for toddlers and children learning to ride. The Skills Lines are designed to develop your mountain biking skills from beginner through advanced skills needed to navigate the soft trails of the region. The Pump Track is designed to enjoy the development of speed building skills in an environment that allows for skills development, jumping, speed building and head to head racing.

As America’s only asphalt pump track with 5’ berms, the Runway Skills Park is the perfect venue to test the world’s best in a competition format.

OCA: What kind of bike do you need for pump track riding?
CC: Pump tracks can be ridden by cyclists, skateboarders & roller blade skaters of all ages and skill levels. You don’t need a special kind of bicycle to ride on a pump track ‐ BMX bikes, mountain bikes, kids bikes ‐ even “scooter” bikes can be used on the pump track. It’s a great way to increase bike handling skills for younger riders, and for the whole family to enjoy cycling fun in a safe, traffic free environment.

OCA: What should we expect at the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship?
CC: Qualifiers take place in over 20 countries with the top 4 finishers eligible for the World Final on October 13, 2018 at The Runway Bike Park @ The Jones Center in Springdale, AR. There is a total prize purse of $20,000 Euros.

The competition follows a time trial format to establish the top 32 riders. The top 32 will then race in a head to head single elimination format until the World Champion is determined. The total lap time is approximately 36 seconds and the winning difference should be determined by 1/10th of a second or less.

Tickets are available at: www.runwaybikepark.com Tickets cost $10.00 and VIP Experience tickets cost $100.00

OCA: Thanks Claudio for the interview and to The Jones Center for their awesome vision. This sounds like a great family spectating event. Come see what all the fuss is about on October 13th. Time to buy your tickets!