Motocross is a type of motorcycle racing that involves tight, twisting tracks. This is done off-road with a variety of obstacles such as trees, logs, water hazards, and sand traps.
While it is spectacular, we can wonder if this is a sport. Let’s discuss it.
What is motocross?
We can distinguish between off-road and circuit moto racing
–Off-road is racing with motorcycles on circuits. There are tight turns, jumps and a lot of mud. Riders have to deal with extreme situations. This is a very technical variation of the sport. In the USA this activity is also called MX biking. These tracks are usually rural or forested areas.
-Racing on a circuit is very challenging as well as riders have to lean so that they can move around the corners faster. Riders study the circuit so that they are able to get an edge over the others. These circuits are often quite challenging as they contain a lot of corners and riders can drive very fast on them. Riders start out with driving qualifications to determine their positions on the starting grid. Most tournaments have multiple races. The winner of the race scores points. The racer that has the most points at the end of the season, is the champion. The goal is to win multiple champions and eventually become a world champion. This can take several years or even more than a decade.
Motorcross is generally seen as off-road motor racing.
This sport is generally done with one racer but it is possible that the motor also has a sidecar. Both riders have to work together in the latter instance so that they can ride the fastest laps and win the race.
They also have to maintain their motorcycles as all the dirt can affect how well it runs.
There are different types of races. The main difference is how strong the motors are.
Currently, there are four main categories of motocross racing: 450cc motocross, 250cc motocross, 125cc motocross and endurance racing. Each competition class is divided into different levels such as Amateur, Pro, Expert and Supercross.
While the appeal of this sport is nearly unmatched by any other, the reality is motocross racing is one of the most dangerous activities out there. Riders can fall or crash into each other. If this happens, they might be out for a long time. This is why they wear helmets and protective equipment. Riders also train a lot so that they are able to control the motos, even in challenging situations.
What is a sport?
The word “sport” is used as a synonym for physical activity or exercise. You might say that someone is a “sport” because they are active and fit. But what does it mean to be a sport? In the broad definition, it means a physical activity that requires certain skills.
Stricter definitions also require that sports have a competitive element. An activity needs 3 components before it can be considered a sport according to these definitions:
1/ A physical activity
2/ That requires a skill
3/ And has a competitive element
In today’s world, most sports involve competitive games where the goal is to beat your opponent. This means that you can’t participate in a sport without having an opponent.
A lot of sports can be viewed on TV and a lot of people have a favorite athlete. This can inspire them to start practicing this sport as well.
Is motocross a sport?
Based on the previous definition we can determine if motocross is a sport.
It has a physical element. Riders have to control their motorbike and lean and move around to get an edge. This sport is very intense as you have to jump and deal with a lot of obstacles. They have to train a lot to be able to complete a race.
Motoracing also has a skill element. It requires a lot of technique to complete a race without falling over. You have to be able to handle the moto very well. This can take years of practice. These tracks can be full of mud and dirt, making it challenging to keep moving forward. You also have to make sure that you don’t run into other riders. All of this makes it a very challenging sport.
There is also a competitive element. Riders try to finish first. There are often 2 races per match. This makes it challenging as riders have to focus for several hours. They also have to maintain their motorcycle to make sure that they can finish the race without any mechanical failures. This makes the sport less accessible as you need a lot of knowledge and materials to be able to compete.
Motocross is one of the most extreme sports out there. It requires a lot of focus and agility. At the moment motocross is not an Olympic sport.
To conclude we can state that motocross is a sport. It has all the elements required to be defined as such. Even in a narrow sense of the word, it can be seen as a sport. If you love adventure and thrills but don’t have time for more traditional sports such as football (soccer), cricket or hockey, then motocross may be perfect for you! Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting sport that requires an incredible amount of physical strength, endurance and agility.
We have discussed if horse racing is a sport HERE.
Source
https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/sport
