Riding as a professional BMX rider includes several approaches for anyone who likes to ride BMX. One possible approach is Pro Street BMX, Pro Flat Terrain BMX, Pro Upright and Half Pipe BMX starring on ESPN’s X Games and NBC’s Dew Tour. Other areas where it is possible to go pro for BMX enthusiasts is BMX motocross. BMX motocross is not only an Olympic sport, it is also featured on the Dew Tour and includes two professional racing leagues, the American Bicycle Association and the National Bicycle League.

The advent of the X Games and subsequent creation of the Dew Tour has brought most styles of BMX to the forefront. The most popular BMX events at the X Games are the half pipe, the super half pipe, and the X Games Big Air. For someone who wants to enter these types of events as a professional cyclist, they must qualify as the individual tours travel all over the country.

There are also local shows in most cities that include professional BMX riding competitions on streets and flat terrain. Winning a local contest can launch a relatively unknown rider into the national spotlight if the event receives coverage from a national BMX bike magazine. Learning tricks and techniques is as easy as a trip to the local skate park. Many professional BMX riders hone their skills alongside everyday BMX riders.

Getting sponsorship from BMX bike manufacturers, apparel manufacturers, and BMX parts manufacturers is as easy as posting videos on the Internet. Posting a video on the internet will give a potential BMX pro an outlet to show off new tricks and get their name into the mix. The more style and new tricks a BMX rider displays in their internet video posts, the more likely a rider will be able to sign endorsement deals.

Sponsors look for style as much as substance. A rider who is quirky and stylish while doing tricks and has a great personality while talking on camera is gold for a BMX sponsor. Their goal is for the riders they sponsor to represent them on and off the bike.

One aspect of being sponsored is that of promotion. Many sponsors require their riders to make appearances for them in cities across the country. This helps the rider not only gain exposure, but also helps the sponsor sell their products.

Professional BMX motocross is another way to become a professional BMX rider. There are two ways a cyclist can become a professional. The American Bicycle Association is the original professional BMX motocross series and features professional BMX riders traveling across the country with the national tours. Professional BMX events are on a course that includes big tabletop jumps, a rhythm section, and large wide berms at corners to allow passage.

Becoming a professional cyclist in the American Bicycle Association is easy. Race through the ranks from beginner to expert and win your way to the next level. There are beginner pro classes to help riders break into the pro class, and once they compete against professional BMX riders, it’s easy to catch the eye of BMX sponsors. The objective of obtaining sponsorship in BMX motocross is the same as in all forms of BMX disciplines. Personality and style are just as important as talent.

The National Bicycle League is another form of BMX motocross and is home to the majority of BMX riders who compete in the Olympic BMX motocross events. National Bicycle League competitions across the country and professional BMX classes are extremely competitive. Cyclists who compete at the high level of the National Bicycle League can quickly rise to national prominence.

Fans follow BMX riders with fierce loyalty and the riders are loved in the fan community. What the sponsors are looking for is a rider who will transcend this and rise to national pro eminence like Matt Hoffman or Ryan Nyquist.