Racers descend the starting hill on Saturday at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Racers descend the starting hill on Saturday at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

Youngsters prepare to take off for the “Striders” or “Balance Bike” race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Youngsters prepare to take off for the “Striders” or “Balance Bike” race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Mila Devoy from Dillon strides down a hill during the 5&Over Balance Bike race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Mila Devoy from Dillon strides down a hill during the 5&Over Balance Bike race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Intermediate riders Julia Koskinen and Ronin Cox race neck-and-neck after the opening start on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Intermediate riders Julia Koskinen and Ronin Cox race neck-and-neck after the opening start on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
From left, novice riders Gunner Cupps and Madelynn Young embark on the first stretch of their race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
From left, novice riders Gunner Cupps and Madelynn Young embark on the first stretch of their race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
From left, Rhett Tabor, Camden Weimer, and Vincent Metoyer compete in one of the Balance Bike heats on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
From left, Rhett Tabor, Camden Weimer, and Vincent Metoyer compete in one of the Balance Bike heats on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Expert rider Tiegan Stiebel flies high as he looks to catch competitor Nathan Hulk Smash on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Expert rider Tiegan Stiebel flies high as he looks to catch competitor Nathan Hulk Smash on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Racers descend the starting hill on Saturday at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Racers descend the starting hill on Saturday at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Quincy Hunt catches some air as a cohort of expert riders make their way down the track on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Quincy Hunt catches some air as a cohort of expert riders make their way down the track on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Riders bend around a curve as they prepare for another rhythm section on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Riders bend around a curve as they prepare for another rhythm section on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Dustin Kelso stays laser-focused on the track ahead in one of the intermediate races on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Dustin Kelso stays laser-focused on the track ahead in one of the intermediate races on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Dustin Kelso stays laser-focused on the track ahead in one of the intermediate races on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Dustin Kelso stays laser-focused on the track ahead in one of the intermediate races on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Competitors prepare for the starting gates to be lifted on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Competitors prepare for the starting gates to be lifted on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Nixon Padilla from Aztec, New Mexico looks down toward his destination on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Nixon Padilla from Aztec, New Mexico looks down toward his destination on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Camden Weimer from Durango eyes his competition mischievously before taking off down the final hill of his Balance Bike race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal
Camden Weimer from Durango eyes his competition mischievously before taking off down the final hill of his Balance Bike race on Saturday, June 21 at the state qualifying BMX races in Cortez. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal