UCI BMX Racing World Cup: Maiden wins for Pilard and Simpson

French dominate Men Elite racing

The first two rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup took place in Sarrians, France, on 14 and 15 June in hot but calm conditions. Frenchman Arthur Pilard and Canadian Molly Simpson each tasted success at this level for the first time.

Men Elite: French success

The French crowd celebrated success in the Men Elite competition from the outset on Saturday. Arthur Pilard had never won a UCI BMX Racing World Cup race before but his double victory at the Coupe de France the previous weekend, on the same track, was a foretaste of what was to come. The 29-year-old was unstoppable on Saturday and took his maiden UCI World Cup victory ahead of Izaac Kennedy (AUS) in second place and Olympic silver medalist Sylvain André (FRA) in third.

The French were again in a strong position in the final of Sunday’s round 2, with Pilard, André, Eddy Clerté and Jérémy Rencurel leading into the first turn. Kennedy moved into fourth on the second straight, then Rencurel went down in the rhythm section, allowing the Austalian to move into third. Out in front, André managed to pass Saturday’s winner Pilard in the last corner to cross the line in first position for a French 1-2.

Women Elite: wins for Claessens and Simpson

When the gate dropped for Saturday’s Women Elite final, all eyes were on 2024 UCI World Cup overall winner Saya Sakakibara (AUS). But it was Switzerland’s 24-year-old Zoé Claessens who grabbed the victory, with the Australian settling for second position and a strong looking Molly Simpson (CAN) finishing third.

After her third place in round one, 22-year-old Simpson confirmed her strength the following day. After the start of her life in Sunday’s final, she was in front coming out of the first turn and never looked back, taking her first UCI BMX Racing World Cup win. It was no small achievement faced with talent like former Olympic and UCI World Champion Bethany Shriever (GBR) and round 1 winner Zoé Claessens behind you!

Shriever finished second, while Daleny Vaugh (USA) found her way past Claessens on the third straight to take third place.

“I can’t believe it, it was a perfect day,” said a delighted Molly Simpson. “I made a bet with my coach a few years ago, I said, when I win my first UCI World Cup he’s got to dye his hair red, so I can’t wait to see that!”

Women and Men Under 23: double victories for Dutch riders

The Netherlands’ Michelle Wissing (Women Under 23) and Jason Noordam (Men Under 23) claimed victories in both rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Sarrians, putting them in a strong position going into rounds 3 and 4 in Papendal, the Netherlands next weekend.

In the Elite racing, Simpson and Pilard will start in Papendal with the red leader plate.