All the riders, 23 boys and four girls, ranging from 12 to 16 years old, were led around the track by coach Mischa Partridge in preparation for the 2010 BC Summer Games in Langley Township.

Partridge is a pro rider, but a broken collarbone means he isn't at the world BMX competitions this weekend. Instead, the Port Coquitlam resident is passing along his knowledge to the next generation of riders.

Most of the riders have a lot of experience, and some have been competing regularly in the United States, Partridge said.

But because BMX races are normally divided by age, this will be different for them. Riders as young as 12 will race alongside the oldest racers.

"For this event, a lot of these kids haven't raced each other," Partridge said.

The races can be quite hectic.

"There is quite a bit of contact in our sport," said the coach.

He noted there is nothing in the rules to stop a rider from forcing another one off the course, if it's done legally.

Beyond that, there is a lot of strategy.

Partridge took the riders through several practice runs of the track, then walked them from the starting gate to the finish line, asking them questions about how they'd handle each turn, each jump, each set of low bumps. Should they jump, or should they pedal hard through a particular stretch?

Each rider has his or her own particular strengths and weaknesses, Partridge said. When the races are held Saturday and Sunday, riders should focus on their strong points, he said.

Each rider is to find their "line," a strategy for positioning themselves at each part of the course.