Jack Burgmann reckons the adrenalin rush is like no other.
The gate drops, and he cranks the pedals as hard as possible to get down the ramp, over the opening jump and take a line for the first turn.
Welcome to BMX racing.
Jack, 16, and his three siblings Charlie, 14, Oliver, 12, and Zara, 8, will take on the best riders on the planet at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane.
Olympic champion Saya Sakakibara Australia's assault in the elite division, finishing second after strong winds halted racing on Sunday.
The Maitland siblings will race the Challenge series in their age groups, starting Wednesday.
The competition has attracted more than 2500 riders from Australia, the US, New Zealand and the Netherlands in age groups from under-10s through to Masters.
Riders will launch over huge jumps, whip around technical turns and sprint for the finish at speeds reaching up to 60kph.
"You definitely feel the adrenaline run through you when the gate drops," Jack said. "It is all about getting out of the gate best."
The Burgmanns had to qualify to earn a place at the starting gates in Brisbane.
Oliver and Zara finished in the top four of their age division at the National Championships in Shepparton. Oliver was also second in the cruiser (24-inch wheels).
Charlie on a cruiser at Shepparton and then sealed a spot in the 20-inch division at the national round in Macarthur in May.
Jack qualified on a cruiser in Shepparton.
"It's pretty surreal that they all qualified," father, Jon Burgmann said. "Zara and Oliver brought home A plates from the nationals for finishing in the top four.
"'Charlie had a pretty big training accident. We didn't think he was going to make Macarthur. He was in a leg brace in the week leading up to it. He just pushed himself and somehow rode the wheels off it and he qualified on the 20-inch there.
"Jack started the sport a lot later and managed to sneak through and qualify on a cruiser.
"They do push each other. Although Jack started a bit later, he's really fast now, so my 14 year old's got someone to chase.
"That also works to Oliver's advantage, he's always chasing Charlie.
"My daughter, she just wants to be like the boys. She pretty determined. She has been racing the state rounds with 10 year old girls."
The Burmanns are members of the Maitland-Tenambit The
"We didn't live too far from the track and went for a ride there on a weekend," Jon said.
"About four years ago, we started doing the NSW State series and whenever the national rounds came to NSW, we'd compete in them.
"This year, we have done everything. We went to Brisbane in February and Zara finished third in the Oceania Championships. That was pretty special.
"The kids are glued to the bikes. We have about 20 in the garage, I reckon.
"They train at the Maitland track on a Tuesday and Lake Macquarie on Wednesday. They also have a coach they train with at Maitland on Thursday. They race Friday night at Maitland and Saturday night at Lake Macquarie. Usually on a Sunday, they are at a pump track or riding their bikes in the bush."
Jon has given up race riding after "seeing too many old blokes crash in a hard way".
"In saying that, I did jump back on a bike last weekend and just have a little bit of fun with them," he said.
To reach the final, the riders will have to progress through about six races.
"It is awesome travelling around the country and checking out all the cool tracks and places," Jack said.
"We are all in it together and support each other at training.
"My little brother Charlie is on my back wheel, he is trying to keep up with me all the time."
