The 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup gets under way in Sarrians, France, this weekend (6-7 June), with further rounds scheduled in the Netherlands the following weekend, in China in October and in the United States in November.
With Olympic momentum shaping the discipline and a new generation continuing to emerge, the battle for the overall UCI World Cup titles in all four categories could become one of the most competitive in recent seasons.
Men Elite: Challenging the French stars
In the Men Elite category, French star and reigning Olympic Champion Joris Daudet enters the season as one of the benchmark riders of the international circuit, even at the age of 35. His consistency across the previous campaigns, his experience handling varied track profiles, and his ability to perform under pressure make him a leading contender for the overall title. His fellow French riders Arthur Pilard (reigning UCI World Champion and 2025 UCI World Cup winner), Sylvain André (Paris 2024 silver medallist), Eddy Clerté (bronze at last year’s UCI BMX Racing World Championships) and Mathis Ragot Richard are also among the riders capable of challenging for round victories throughout the year.
Dutch athlete Niek Kimmann – two-time UCI World Champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion – has returned to top form and can be expected to fight for podium places this season, not least at his home rounds in Papendal (13 and 14 June).
Meanwhile, Australian Izaac Kennedy continues to establish himself as one of the strongest riders. The 25-year-old’s explosive starts and technical precision make him especially dangerous on tracks such as Papendal and Sarasota (United States), where rhythm sections and sprint speed can decide races in a matter of seconds.
Women Elite: who can beat Sakakibara?
In the Women Elite competition, the spotlight naturally falls on reigning Olympic Champion and 2025 UCI BMX Racing World Cup winner Saya Sakakibara. The 26-year-old Australian is one of the defining figures of modern BMX Racing thanks to her remarkable consistency, composure and race intelligence. Across the 2026 campaign, she will once again be the rider to beat, particularly on technically demanding tracks where her cornering efficiency and race management often separate her from the competition.
Dutch rider Michelle Wissing is expected to be in contention in her first year in the Elite category. The reigning Under 23 UCI World Champion and 2025 UCI World Cup winner has already demonstrated she is comfortable in the Elite ranks this year. Another serious contender is Swiss rider and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Zoé Claessens, who joined the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, as a trainee athlete in 2019 before taking silver at the 2022 UCI World Championships and three titles of European Champion. Her aggressive racing style and speed could translate into crucial UCI World Cup points throughout the season.
The women’s field also continues to benefit from the experience of riders such as sisters Laura and Merel Smulders (NED) and reigning UCI World Champion Bethany Shriever (GBR) who both have collected multiple wins in UCI events in the past. They could play an important role in shaping the overall standings as the campaign progresses toward the decisive rounds in China and the United States in October and November.
Under 23: anyone’s game
The Men Under 23 category may deliver the most unpredictable racing of the entire series. French rider Leo Le Bougeant has shown the pace and maturity needed to become a genuine title contender, while Dutch prospect Casper Pipers continues to impress with his technical ability and calm approach in high-pressure situations.
Twenty-year-old Australian Joshua Jolly is another name expected to challenge consistently for podium finishes. His explosive opening straight speed makes him particularly effective on fast, compact tracks, and his progression through the Junior and Under 23 ranks suggests that a breakthrough UCI World Cup season could be close.
In the Women Under 23 category, Dutch rider Renske van Santvoort enters the season with growing expectations after several strong international performances. Racing in front of home fans at Papendal may prove pivotal in the battle for the overall standings before the series heads overseas later in the season. Her race craft and consistency have made her one of the most promising riders in the category, while Colombian rider Domenica Gissell Mora Cordero brings valuable experience and proven winning pedigree to the field.
With Olympic-level talent, emerging young stars and a calendar that combines traditional BMX Racing venues with global expansion, the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup is set to deliver another memorable year of racing. From Sarrians to Sarasota, every gate drop will matter as riders chase individual victories, valuable ranking points and the prestige of securing a UCI World Cup crown at the end of the season.
2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup
Rounds 1 & 2: June 6–7, Sarrians (France)
Rounds 3 & 4: June 13–14, Papendal (Netherlands)
Rounds 5 & 6: October 3-4, Mentougou, Beijing (China)
Rounds 7 & 8: October 10-11, Chongli, Zhangjiakou (China)
Rounds 9 & 10: October 31–November 1, Sarasota, Florida (USA)