2025 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup: USA dominate Park and Japan wins Flatland in Shanghai

China hosts second round

After opening in Montpellier, France, in May, the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup (Park and Flatland) continued with the second round in Shanghai, China, from 16 to 19 October.

The Park riders were welcomed by an original field of play in the city’s West Bund area. As well as the familiar quarters, walls and hips, a plexiglass quarter-pipe and almost four-metre tall spine were new for all riders. A wave connected the two obstacles, providing new lines.

The huge wall and judging tower blocked much of the wind that was coming in from the nearby river and the rain that fell occasionally did not make conditions any easier.

But the riders put on a true show for the Chinese spectators. In the men’s competition, 24 riders progressed to the final - as the semi-final had to be skipped – creating an even bigger spectacle.

Park Men: Dowell clicks with the course

The riders found different ways to stand out from the pack on the park that made it possible to demonstrate originality. Mexico’s Kevin Peraza put on a show that will be remembered. His flow, style, originality is awesome, and his smile makes the package complete – eventually the performance was good enough for 10th place.

Up front, it was a battle among the riders who had adapted best to this BMX park, finding a way to tame it and perform their best tricks in the 60 seconds available. With the best of two runs counting as the final score, the riders went all-out, reaching for the podium.

The top five were separated by just 1.8 points. Great Britain’s Dylan Hessey was in the lead for a long time but ended up in 5th place. During the last heat, Justin Dowell (USA) took over the lead with his first run, allowing Rimu Nakamura (JPN), Anthony Jeanjean (FRA), and first place qualifier Marcus Christopher (USA) a chance to beat his score on their second run – but no one managed to match Dowell’s riding on this course. The 25-year-old American and the ramps in China were made for each other.

Park Women: Roberts with style

Six-time UCI World Champion Hannah Roberts (USA) laid down a first Park run that included barspin-x-ups, tailwhips, backflips, flairs and 360’s in a well-planned run with no mistakes. Freshly crowned European Champion Kim-Lea Müller (GER) 360’d the big spine and volcano for second and youngster Noemi Molnar from Hungary grabbed third place at just 15 years old.

Flatland Women: all-Japanese podium

Where the Park wins went to riders from the USA, Flatland was ruled once again by riders from Japan. In the women’s competition, it was an all-Japan podium with Chiaki Todaka on top, followed by Karin Hommura with Sona Yoshimura taking third place. Current UCI Flatland World Champion Ayuna Miyashima (JPN) had to settle for fourth place.

Flatland Men: welcome to the Shoji show

The men’s Flatland final was as strong a show as ever, with each rider showing his own distinctive style during the three-minute run.

The UCI judges had a clear top three at round 2 of the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup. Alexandre Jumelin (FRA) jumped into the lead, making himself the rider to beat. He held on to the top position until fellow countryman Julien Baran took over the number one position.

The super talented Japanese rider Yu Katagiri could have been in the mix for a podium position but a few too many mistakes got him stuck in fourth position. Then his countryman Yu Shoji put on a uniquely brilliant performance. With the only score in the 90s Shoji’s victory celebration was almost as memorable as his ride!

Two rounds down, one to go. Sakai, Japan will be where the 2025 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup champs will be crowned, with round three running 27-30 November.