Whoops
A long series of closely spaced bumps on a track, which riders either skim across the tops of at speed or roll through more slowly. Doing it the fast way requires holding the throttle steady when instinct suggests slowing down.
Whoops are a common feature of both outdoor motocross and supercross tracks and are frequently a place where races are won or lost through small differences in technique.
Rhythm Section
A sequence of closely spaced jumps that can be ridden in different combinations — for example, jumping over three obstacles in two hits rather than three. Choosing and executing the fastest combination consistently is one of the biggest skill differentiators in supercross specifically.
Rhythm sections are usually the most heavily analyzed part of a supercross track before an event, since the fastest line through one is rarely obvious and often changes as the dirt breaks down across a night of racing.
Try it: same rhythm section, two lines
Below is one rhythm section, ridden two genuinely different ways. Switch lines, then press run to watch the bike's actual trajectory change.
Same Rhythm Section, Two Lines
The same three jumps can be ridden completely differently. Switch lines and watch the bike's arc change.
Holeshot
The achievement of being first into the opening corner from the start, widely considered one of the most valuable positions to secure in either outdoor motocross or supercross given how difficult and risky overtaking can be on tight, technical tracks.
Some events award a dedicated holeshot award or bonus separate from the race result itself, recognizing how significant a good start genuinely is to a rider's chances.
Berm
A built-up, banked corner that supports a bike and allows genuinely high corner speed, common on both outdoor and supercross tracks, in contrast to a flat or off-camber corner offering no such support.
A well-formed berm can be the fastest way through a corner, while a berm that has broken down over a race can become significantly less useful or even hazardous.
Moto
An individual race within an outdoor motocross event — typically two per class per event day — as distinct from a supercross main event, which is usually a single decisive race per class per round.
The term is specific to outdoor motocross's two-race format — see our scoring explainer, including an interactive two-moto calculator, for exactly how those two results combine.
Triple (Jump)
A jump combination requiring a rider to clear three obstacles in a single leap rather than landing between them. Committing fully is mandatory once attempted — coming up short means landing on the face of the next jump rather than its intended landing area.
Triples are among the more physically demanding and higher-consequence obstacles on a supercross track, and misjudging one is a common cause of serious injury in the sport.
The full glossary, as flashcards
All ten terms above, condensed — click to flip each card and test yourself.
Flip Through the Full Glossary
Click any card to flip it and reveal the definition.
Frequently asked questions
What are whoops in motocross?
A long series of closely spaced bumps that riders either skim across at speed or roll through more slowly — riding them fast requires holding the throttle steady against instinct.
What is a rhythm section?
A sequence of closely spaced jumps in supercross that can be ridden in different combinations. Choosing and executing the fastest combination consistently is a major skill differentiator.
What is a holeshot?
Being first into the opening corner from the start of a race, widely considered one of the most valuable positions to secure given how difficult overtaking can be on tight, technical tracks.
What is a berm?
A built-up, banked corner that supports a bike and allows high corner speed, in contrast to a flat or off-camber corner offering no such support.
What is a moto in motocross?
An individual race within an outdoor motocross event, typically two per class per event day, distinct from supercross's usual single main event per round.
What is a triple jump in supercross?
A jump combination requiring a rider to clear three obstacles in a single leap. Committing fully is mandatory, since coming up short means landing on the face of the next jump.
Why is the holeshot so valuable in motocross?
Because overtaking is difficult and risky on tight, technical tracks, being first into the opening corner significantly improves a rider's chances for the rest of the race.
What does 'blitzing' a rhythm section mean?
Clearing a jump sequence in fewer, bigger hits than the obvious line — faster if executed correctly, but riskier, since a single misjudged jump can end the run.
Is there always one 'correct' line through a rhythm section?
Not fixed — the fastest line can change across a night of racing as the dirt breaks down, which is why riders and teams re-analyze rhythm sections between sessions.
What is SMX?
The SuperMotocross World Championship, created in 2023 to unify Supercross and Pro Motocross results into a single end-of-season playoff.
What is MXGP?
The FIM Motocross World Championship, the international outdoor-focused world championship that's run since 1957, separate from the American supercross and Pro Motocross series.
Is a berm always faster than a flat corner?
A well-formed one usually is, since it supports the bike and allows higher corner speed — but a berm that's broken down over the course of a race can become slower or even hazardous.
Maya grew up watching rally stages and motocross before following both sports closely as an adult, and covers the off-road side of motorsport for CNMOTOS — from World Rally Championship gravel stages to Supercross stadiums and grassroots karting.
View all articles by Maya Torres →
