The final round of the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in Park was held during the weekend in Bazhong, China, determining the winners of the overall classification. American Hannah Roberts and Australian Logan Martin both ended up on the podiums in Bazhong, landing them the overall titles.
Roberts face tough competition but takes the overall
Strong performances of the Chinese female riders saw big names like Macarena Perez (CHI), the talented Kim Lea Müller (GER) and Queen Saray Villegas (COL) miss out on the final. The Chinese BMX Freestyle athletes have certainly upped their level, making it even harder for their competitors to reach this stage of the competition.
Coming into the last round in Bazhong, Hannah Roberts held the lead in the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in Park. Against the Chinese, she had to push herself to the limit to reach the podium. She finished second, behind Ya Wen Deng (CHN) and before Sibei Sun (CHN) on third place. Deng’s powerful performances, which improved her first run score of 90.10 to a 93.84 brought the public to their feet and landed her an unforgettable UCI World Cup win on home territory.
Hannah Roberts claimed the overall title of the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in Park, but will certainly have to watch out for the strong contenders from China next year.
Logan Martin dominates the men’s final
In the men’s competition, big names disappeared early, such as Jose Torres Gil (ARG) and Justin Dowell (USA), who both suffered flat tyres. Missing the cut in the semi-finals by just 0.1 points was Costa Rica’s Kenneth Tencio. Alec Danelutti (AUS) and Declan Brooks (GBR) suffered similar fates, demonstrating the high level in the men’s event.
Olympic Champion Logan Martin had a relatively comfortable lead coming into the round in China and when he qualified for the final in 4th place, his first goal was reached. With his immediate competitors for the overall ranking, Marcus Christopher (USA), Anthony Jeanjean (FRA), Kieran Reilly (GBR) and Rimu Nakamura (JPN) also making it to the final, the scene was set for a spectacular show.
Daniel Dhers (VEN) delivered a flawless run that involved his hardest tricks but Marin Rantes (CRO) topped him and overtook the lead. During heat two, Jeanjean, Reilly and Martin kept changing the leading position, which made for a nerve-wrecking competition. With extra flips, rotations, tailwhips and barspins, the final heated up. The Australian brought the forwards bike flip, the Briton pulled a double flair and the Frenchman double backflipped, which resulted in Martin finishing first, Reilly second and Jeanjean on third place.
The podium in Bazhong also reflected the final overall ranking, as Logan Martin took the series classification, followed by Reilly and Jeanjean.
2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup – Winners of the overall classification
Men Park: Logan Martin (AUS)
Women Park: Hannah Roberts (USA)
Men Flatland: Yu Shoji (JPN)
Women Flatland: Aude Cassagne (FRA)
Full results and rankings of the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup