BMX makes Olympic debut

Riders race into the first set of jumps during an Olympic BMX quarterfinal qualifier at Beijing’s Laoshan track. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 7:15 AM PT

U.S. Olympic cyclist Mike Day, right, leads the pack with teammate Donny Robinson, left, not far behind during a quarterfinal heat at Beijing’s Laoshan BMX track. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kyle Bennett is thrown from his bicycle during a collision in the first turn at Beijing’s Laoshan BMX Venue, during one of the quarterfinal heats. Bennett suffered a dislocated left shoulder. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kyle Bennett of the U.S. comes to his feet with the help of medical personnel after separating his shoulder in a collision in the first turn at Beijing’s Laoshan BMX Venue, during one of the quarterfinal heats. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

His hand bloodied, gloves torn and a dislocated left shoulder, U.S. Olympic BMX rider Kyle Bennett refused a stretcher and rode off the course on his bike after crashing midway through a quarterfinal heat at Beijing’s Laoshan BMX track. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Jill Kintner, the only U.S. woman in the field, walks her bike along Beijing’s Laoshan BMX track as she prepares for qualifying competition. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. Olympic cyclist Mike Day, left, posted the top time-trial mark of the day at Beijing’s Laoshan BMX track. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Jared Graves of Australia competes in the men’s seeding phase of the BMX competition on Wednesday in Beijing. (Harry How / Getty Images)

Riders are airborne as they race in the men’s BMX quarterfinal on Wednesday. (Szilard Koszticsak / EPA)

Riders compete in the men’s BMX quarterfinals during the Beijing Games on Wednesday. (Carl De Souza / AFP/Getty Images)

Mike Day of Santa Clarita, Calif., is airborne during the BMX men’s quarterfinal run. All three men made it through to the semifinals on Thursday. (Ivan Sekretarev / Associated Press)