KUALA LUMPUR: An international cycling official present at the Malaysia Games BMX competition in Sarawak last month has described the track layout as a clear breach of international safety regulations, reported New Straits Times today.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the event should not have been allowed to go on as the organisers had violated the most important safety regulation for track layout, outlined by the International Cyclists Union (UCI).
A key safety requirement for track layout, according to the UCI guideline, is that the first straight, from the start hill to the first berm (raised bank), must have a minimum distance of 70m.
This is adhered to by BMX tracks worldwide, the official said, but the track in Sarawak did not meet this standard, breaking the straight-line rule and putting a foreign structure on the track.
“When I was there, I was surprised to see a wall on the side of the first straight.
“I think this is probably the first track in the world that is C-shaped from the start to the first berm.
“I was also told that the wall may have been put up there to cover up a big rock that the organisers could not remove.”
Because of the safety breach, the official recalled witnessing many riders repeatedly crashing against the wall, from the start of their training right to competition day.
“Technically you are looking at riders, most of them amateurs, going down from the start hill at full speed. The reason why it should be 70m is for the riders to get used to the acceleration. The sharp and loose gravel of the BMX track caused a number of crashes during the Malaysia Games BMX competition.
“But in this case, riders were coming down so fast and accelerating into the first berm straight to the corner with the big wall. “I saw a lot of crashes in that area from day one.”
The official said the material used to construct the surface of the BMX track was also unsuitable.
“I think they just dumped all the gravel on the track.
“I saw how the riders and coaches were desperately trying to inform the liaison officer to contact the organisers to remove the gravel, but they (the organisers) only came the day before the start of the official training.
“That the BMX competition was allowed to proceed in spite of all these safety issues was disappointing,” the official said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian National Cycling Federation vice-president Amrun Misnoh has denied Sarawak Cycling Association secretary Zulaihi Seri’s claim that the track received “high praises” from state managers.
Amrun also denied Zulaihi’s claim that Selangor officials were seen snapping pictures of the track with the intention of emulating it.
“I was the official who represented Selangor during the event.
“I only took the pictures for Zulaihi’s own reference since he was the Sarawak Cycling Association secretary,” he said.
It is learnt that Zulaihi was summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to give his statement at the commission’s office in Kuching at 2.30pm yesterday. -NewStraitsTimes
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