The whoops are a series of bumps – three feet in height and equally spaced that look like a washboard and test an athlete’s rhythm, strength, and dedication. It’s the section that defines a supercross track. The whoops may seem inconspicuous to the naked eye, especially when positioned next to a triple or finish-line double, but soon become the focal point after just one lap of practice.

Most motocross champions think that they can prosper in supercross – the basic timing that’s required to push through a rhythm section is not too foreign a concept. It’s those whoops that strike fear into the hearts of those stars, however, and restrict some to the outdoor championships.

There has never been a champion who cannot conquer a set of whoops – it’s a critical portion of a series like the FIM World Supercross Championship. If a circuit is constructed with a subpar (or easier) set of whoops, then it’s met with a scoff or eyeroll, as the most accomplished riders know their skill or advantage has been hampered. It is impossible to oversell how important these modest bumps are.

How do you ride them?

If the whoops are dry then it is all about speed. A rider needs to carry speed while not giving too much gas, otherwise it will create wheelspin. If the whoops are tacky or soft then you need to manage the throttle, and by the time riders get to the main event when they are rougher and unlevelled, they have to adapt their technique.

Skimming?

Put simply, the fastest path in the whoops is to ‘skim’ the whole set and stay on top of each bump.

It creates an illusion that the rider is afloat. If the priority is to stay atop the section, then how does one get to that point? It’s all about commitment and entry speed.

There’s no way to back out of it as soon as you have committed to the skim. Any second of hesitation, either on entry or in the set, can be catastrophic. If it works, then it’s such a benefit.

It’s imperative for a rider to be in a high gear, as this helps find stability and can stop the rear wheel from kicking around. This is another test of commitment and mental fortitude. It takes some muscle to hold onto the bike once it does kick, which is never predictable, so perhaps there are some parallels to climbing onto a bull?

Or jumping?

If the whoops are breaking down or if the dirt is especially tacky, then a rider may decided to get air and jump them instead, taking them out of the equation.

The whoops last just a couple of seconds, yet the race is often won or lost there. There is no better example of how intense a race in a stadium is.

Each decision must be made in a split second. It is impossible to predict how each lap will unfold, both as a rider and spectator in the stands, and that comes with quite the mental toll.

Supercross is a raw test of mentality, muscle, and bravery. Those elements are enhanced as soon as the whoops are entered and the risk versus reward debated in a split second.

Those who value the risk will skim, whilst those who prioritise consistency will jump and see a rival power off into the distance.

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