BMX is getting a lot of attention lately as the sport readies itself to make an Olympic debut in Beijing this year.  In preparation for the Games, a new USA Cycling BMX training facility was unveiled at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California on January 21. The track, designed around the Beijing course, was built by Tom Ritzenthaler who also built the Beijing track. The course replicates the Supercross-style course that athletes will see in China and it is the only permanent Supercross course in the U.S.

Olympic hopeful, Mike Day tests the new BMX course at the Olympic Training facility in Souhtern California. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

With sights set on the 2008 games, the 2008 USA Cycling National Championships will take place on March 29 in Desoto, Texas. Riders will not only be competing for a national championship, but along with last year's UCI BMX World Challenge in Victoria, B.C this is the only direct automatic qualifier for Challenge Class riders to earn a spot on the U.S. National Team for the 2008 UCI BMX World Challenge in Tiayuan, China, May 27-June 1.