The 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup resumes this weekend with a landmark first for the discipline as the world’s best riders head to Mentougou, Beijing, for the fifth and sixth rounds (2- 3 October). The two rounds are taking place one day earlier than origianlly scheduled due to high winds forecast on Sunday 4 October.
It will be the first time a UCI BMX Racing World Cup is held in China, opening a new chapter for the series and bringing the international BMX Racing community to a newly built venue in western Beijing. The Chinese adventure will continue the following weekend, with the seventh and eighth rounds scheduled for Chongli on 10 and 11 October.
The Mentougou BMX National Sports Base – which also includes two pump tracks and will host the 2026 UCI Pump Track World Championships on the third weekend of October – provides a new environment for the majority of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup field.
Men Elite: Brink arrives as leader
After four rounds – two in Sarrians, France, and another two in Papendal, Netherlands – Dutch rider Jaymio Brink sits at the top of the Men Elite UCI BMX Racing World Cup standings with 1,407 points. American Cameron Wood follows on 1,331, while Switzerland’s Loris Aeberhard is third on 1,200 points. France’s Eddy Clerté, currently fourth in the standings, will miss the Chinese rounds due to injury.
Brink opened his 2026 campaign with his first UCI BMX Racing World Cup victory in Sarrians and then backed it up with two second-places at Papendal. Aeberhard was the rider to beat in the Netherlands, taking both victories and establishing himself as a major factor in the overall battle.
Colombia’s Diego Alejandro Arboleda Ospina, currently fifth overall on 1,024 points, also enters Mentougou with a UCI World Cup victory already under his belt this season, at the second round in Sarrians. France’s Mathis Ragot Richard, Sylvain André and Arthur Pilard, as well as Great Britain’s Ross Cullen, New Zealand’s Rico Bearman and the Netherlands’ Tim Goossens and Jason Noordam, add further depth to a highly competitive field.
Women Elite: Simpson the one to beat
In the Women Elite category, Canada’s Molly Simpson holds the current UCI World Cup lead with 1,730 points after reaching the podium in all four rounds so far including victory in the series opener. Australia’s Saya Sakakibara is second on 1,416 (three podiums including victory in the second round), but will not be in China due to a shoulder injury, leaving a significant opportunity for the riders immediately behind her.
Laura Smulders (NED) sits third with 1,173 points after taking her 29th UCI World Cup victory in Round 3 at Papendal. Reigning UCI World Champion Bethany Shriever is just one point behind Smulders after winning the fourth round, while Switzerland’s Zoé Claessens occupies fifth place (1,111) followed by Dutch rider Michelle Wissing (981).
Under 23 riders: ready for another opportunity
France’s Clément Rocherieux leads the Men Under 23 standings after four rounds with 476 points, ahead of Australia’s Joshua Jolly on 422 and France’s Mathis Jacquet on 385. Mark Lüthi (SUI), Léo Le Bougeant (FRA) and Seal Nünlist (SUI) complete the current top six.
In the Women Under 23 competition, the Netherlands’ Renske van Santvoort leads on 477 points (two wins), followed by Czech rider Sabina Košárková and Great Britain’s Freia Challis who have both claimed victory at one round so far.
With two rounds in two days, a new track, a new country and another two rounds waiting in Chongli the following weekend, the Chinese chapter of the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup is ready to begin.