Don't look back

When you are leading the pack, the temptation is to look over your shoulder.

But it can slow you down enough to let competitors blow past.

Cochrane bicycle moto-cross (BMX) elite racer Karsten Millman refuses to bite. Leading the expert division in Alberta BMX Association points, Millman knows better. He's laser-focussed on the track ahead.

“It's crazy this year. Everybody is getting really good, ” says the 23-year-old Cochrane BMX Club ace, who's been racing BMX for 17 years. “Everyone's riding really well and riding with more confidence now. It's getting awesome. ”

Millman was at provincial points races 5-6, held July 19-20 at Cochrane BMX Club track, where 380 riders aged 4 and up raced. Millman's first heat was testament to his focus, taking the holeshot at the drop of the gate only to give up the lead at the first banked curve. He pounded down the track the rest of the way to win the heat. He'd take four firsts, a second and a third in the six heats he raced over two days, earning the maximum amount of points from the weekend (1,400) to extend his season lead over Stony Plain's Mitchell Warken by 140 points with three events left on the provincial race calendar.

A former provincial champ, Millman stepped away from racing before rejoining the fray this season. He's picked up where he left off.

“So far, racing, riding my bike, doing what I love, ” he assesses. He says staying focussed is key. “Just confidence. Having the right mindset basically. Staying smooth and getting out there in front and hope for the best. ”

Home track advantage doesn't hurt, either.

“I coach here, so I have a little home-track advantage here, ” he relates. “I know the track a little bit more. ”

And he's noticed a change in the competition this season from when he last raced.

“I've been provincial No. 1 before. I just kind of slowed down from BMX for a bit, took a little break. No I'm just kind of back up on it.

“Nowadays it's getting crazy. Everybody's so competitive. ”