The UCI BMX World Championships crown world champions in BMX racing.
BMX racing—short for bicycle motocross—is a sprint discipline held on a purpose-built track. Riders launch from a starting gate and race over jumps, banked turns, rollers, and other obstacles, with speed, bike handling, and tactical positioning all crucial to victory.
The championships are governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling’s international governing body. Championship competition includes elite and junior categories for men and women, and has also included BMX Cruiser events using larger-wheeled bicycles.
BMX racing differs from BMX freestyle, which emphasizes tricks and judged routines in parks or on ramps. It is also separate from mountain biking, road cycling, and track cycling, each of which has its own UCI world championships. Olympic BMX competition likewise focuses on racing, not freestyle.