The UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Chronicle

Apr 3, 2018, 14:04 PM

- What happened? -

The 2018 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup started off with Rounds 1 and 2 at the covered BMX SX track in Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.

After the off-season it was the first worldwide gathering of the BMX athletes, who could not afford to make any mistakes to make the finals.

Coming from lane 8 in Saturday’s final, Dutchman Niek Kimmann avoided a crash on the inside before the first turn, to take the lead with Romain Mahieu and Joris Daudet in pursuit. The two Frenchmen could not catch Kimmann and they finished in that order. The Elite Women victory was for Laura Smulders (NED) who had been looking strong all day. She was followed by Natalia Afremova (RUS) and Saya Sakakibara (AUS). Due to a disappointing semi-final, Olympic Champion Mariana Pajon (COL) had to start further on the outside and finished 4th.

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In Round 2 the next day, the fans got what they came for: a French winner. Starting from Lane 1, Saturday's winner Niek Kimmann got cut off by Joris Daudet (FRA) who powered into the lead at the first turn. He stormed to victory followed by fellow Frenchman Romain Mahieu, and Kimmann in third. The Elite Women racing was once again won by Laura Smulders who will bring the red leader plate home to Papendal, Netherlands, the first weekend of May. Sakakibara is right behind her with a 3rd on Saturday and a 2nd place finish on Sunday. Elke Vanhoof (BEL) finished 3rd in Round 2.

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– What’s next? –

UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, Rounds 3 and 4, Papendal, Arnhem, The Netherlands > 5 & 6 May 2018.

– Photo of the week –

– Focus on Niek Kimmann –

2015 was an amazing year for Niek Kimmann. He not only won his first UCI BMX SX World Cup from Lane 1 in Papendal, he also became Elite Men UCI World Champion in Zolder, Belgium, the same year. In St. Quentin-en-Yvelines at the weekend, the Dutch National Team rider again took victory from the outside lane. Kimmann, 22, is part of a BMX family – his brother Justin also rides - and when he is not travelling the world racing and making videos, he lives and trains at the Dutch National Olympic Training Centre in Papendal.

Follow Niek on Instagram.