The UCI BMX Racing World Championships will head to Brisbane, Australia, in just a few days’ time, bringing more than 3000 riders from around the world to compete on the 400-metre track at the Sleeman Sports Complex.
For the first time, the Championship racing will be held before the Challenge and Masters competitions. Men and Women Elite, Under 23 and Junior riders will take to the track on 18-19 July, before four days (22–25 July) of racing bringing together amateur riders vying for glory in their respective age categories.
Elite Men: France and the Netherlands against the world
As the event approaches, news has filtered through that several former Elite Men World Champions are injured and won’t line up. Arthur Pilard (FRA), Niek Kimmann (NED) and Sylvain André (FRA) have withdrawn, while Joris Daudet (FRA) has also been carrying an injury heading into the UCI BMX Racing World Championships.
The Netherlands and France are fielding a large, high-quality squad and remain serious contenders for this years competition. France in particular, has a line-up that includes former UCI BMX Racing World Champion Romain Mahieu, current UCI Pump Track World Champion Eddy Clerté and 2026 UEC European BMX Racing Champion Mathis Ragot Richard.
For The Netherlands, both Jason Noordam and Jaymio Brink have made the long trip to Australia. They will face stiff competition from a strong international field, including an in-form Cameron Wood (USA), Loris Aeberhard (SUI), Ross Cullen (GBR) and Rico Bearman (NZL).
Of course, they will also have to contend with the powerful Australian contingent, who will look to maximize their home advantage. The championships have been a season -long focus for many Australian riders, including Izaac Kennedy, who skipped the international rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup to stay focused on winning the rainbow jersey. Jesse Asmus also knows every inch of the Brisbane track and is certainly final material.
Elite Women: A first title for Sakakibara?
In the Women Elite, 39 riders will take to the starting gate. Among them, Saya Sakakibara, tipped to be the favourite for this year’s edition. Not only does she possess the authority that comes with being the current Olympic champion, she will also have the home advantage, being a native of the Brisbane region. Although Sakakibara has never worn the UCI World Champion rainbow jersey, she has won numerous UCI World Cup rounds between 2023 and 2025 and claimed the overall title each year during that period. Brisbane represents her best chance yet of finally claiming that title.
Her main competition comes in the form of the usual suspects: Zoë Claessens (SUI), Molly Simpson (CAN), and former UCI World champions Bethany Shriever (GBR) and Laura Smulders (NED), all of whom will be looking to upstage the home hero.
Under 23 and Juniors: the key contenders
Australia's hope for a win in the Under 23 Men class is Joshua Jolly, currently leading the UCI Ranking with 765 points, ahead of France's Mathis Jacquet (679 points) and Switzerland's Mark Lüthi (613 points). Racing on home soil, he comes into the event as the clear favourite.
In the Under 23 Women class, all eyes are on Renske van Santvoort (NED) and Sabina Košárková (CZE), with France's Laura Mougey also in contention for a podium spot, as is Lily Greenough (NZL), who has the added bonus of racing close to home.
In the Junior Men class, the United States look set to be a formidable force, with 18-year-olds Tommy Bruney and Evan Esposito sitting first and second respectively in the current UCI Junior Ranking. Canada and France will also be ones to watch, both fielding strong five-rider teams.
In the Junior Women class, talented British riders Elsa Rendall Todd and Freia Challis come in as favourites, having shown their strength in the Under 23 category at this year's UCI World Cup events. American duo Derin Merten and Camille Brouchier will also be ones to watch.
Rich BMX Racing heritage
It is sure to be a memorable week of racing as Australia’s connection to BMX Racing runs deep. The nation previously hosted the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Melbourne (1998), Perth (2003) and Adelaide (2009), and staged UCI World Cup rounds in Adelaide (2008) as well as Shepparton and Bathurst (2020). Brisbane also hosted the third and fourth rounds of the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Cup.
Looking ahead, the first four rounds of the 2028 UCI BMX Racing World Cup will be held in Australia, while Brisbane’s role as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games further reinforces its reputation as a global centre for Elite sport.