It was heartbreak for Australia in the elite finals at the 2019 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Belgium on Saturday with Saya Sakakibara (NSW) and Anthony Dean (SA) crashing in their finals after earlier dominating the competition.


The pair looked unstoppable as they won nine of ten finals between them through their Moto heats, 1/8, 1/4 and semi finals before their barnstorming run at the rainbow jersey sadly came to an end in the finals inside the first turn.


Australia did celebrate on the podium on the final day through Oliver Moran (NSW) who won silver in the junior men's final.

Recaps

Wollongong's Saya Sakakibara (NSW) opened her second World Championship account with three Moto qualifying wins, before adding the 1/4 final win as torrential rain began to cause havoc with the Zolder track.

The 19-year-old Sakakibara, who launched herself with sixth overall on her World Championship debut in 2018, then stormed into the final after winning the semi-final by more than five bike lengths.

In one of the most stacked finals in history, Sakakibara lined up against 2016 Olympic and world champion Mariana Pajón, reigning world champion Laura Smulders and 2017 world champion Alise Willoughby.

Devastatingly, however, Sakakibara's great form and run at her first World Championship podium came undone at the first jump after she skidded and crashed on landing. Willoughby, the wife of Australian two-time world champion Sam, rode to gold.

"I was really happy with how I rode today, yes the result isn't what I wanted, but I could see that I am one of the top riders out there and it is a big step up from the early races of the year," said Sakakibara, who also crashed out of the opening round of the 2019 World Cup season in April, before regrouping to claim two finals appearances across four rounds held in May and June.

"I was feeling pretty calm coming into this weekend as I know the track. I was really focused on going through my processes today and I surprised myself winning everything to get to the final.

"That was where it clicked, and I thought that maybe I could do well here. But I just think that I just hesitated a little bit out of the gate, I crashed on myself, I wasn't comfortable being in a tight position."

With a second career World Championship final under her belt before she exits her teens, and with Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games now less than a year away, Sakakibara could see the upside of today's result.

"Seventh, one worse than last year, that's hard. But an Australian in the final is really cool. And getting some Olympic points is really awesome, and I get to ride with a single-digit for another year, which is a plus.

"Big thanks to the Australian Cycling Team for supporting me and to all the staff here, I hope I made you proud."

2016 Olympic finalist Anthony Dean (SA) won all three Moto races, before storming to win both his 1/8 and 1/4 finals. In the semi-final, Dean was once again first out of the gate, however, he was pushed to fourth after the second turn before holding this to the line to secure a place in the final.

However, like Saya just moments before him, Dean's run at a maiden rainbow jersey in his sixth World Championships campaign was halted by a crash after he clipped the wheel of the rider in front of him on the first turn.

Recovering from the fall, Dean managed to cross the line in sixth. "I was having such a great day winning five laps, third in the semi-final, was set up for a great day," said Dean, who has enjoyed a consistent 2019 World Cup season.

"I had a perfect gate, but just wheelie'd to the bottom, and that is what cost me. I went into the first turn in third, was coming out going for second and just caught the guy's wheel in front of me who was turning really high in the wet conditions.

"I was in a bad spot turning at the wrong time.

"Pretty disappointed, I felt like this was the day it could have been mine, but what are you going to do? I will just come back and try again."

Kai Sakakibara (NSW) and Lauren Reynolds (WA) came agonisingly close to a finals appearance when they finished fifth in their respective semi-finals.

Sakakibara finished fourth in his 1/8 final run, before a stellar final corner move in the 1/4 final which saw him move from the last position into fourth and through to the semi-final. "It was a huge day, I had a great run through the Motos and it was survival of the fittest after that and just couldn't get out of the semi-final," said Kai, who season honours include a career-best World Cup fourth-place and three semi-final finishes. 

"Disappointed because I was aiming for the final, but I was proud of my preparation coming into the event, I was riding really nicely and I know success isn't too far away."

2013 World Championship silver medallist and dual Olympian Reynolds looked strong throughout the day, moving to the semi-finals with a strong ride to finish behind defending champion Laura Smulders (NED) and ahead of 2017 world champion Alise Willoughby (USA) in a stacked 1/4 final. 

In other Elite results, Izaac Kennedy's (QLD) World Championship debut came to a thrilling end in the 1/4 final stage when he was pipped on the line after getting back to ride the final straight after a crash early in the run. Erin Lockwood (QLD) and Matt Krasevskis (QLD) were unable to progress through the Motos, while Josh McLean's (VIC) day ended in the 1/8 final stage. 

In the Under 19 events, Oliver Moran (NSW) won the silver medal behind France's Tatyan Lui Hin Tsan. 

Des’ree Barnes (QLD) produced solid rides in her motos and 1/4 finals, however, she was unable to progress to the final after finishing seventh in the semi-final. 

Jack Davis' (NSW) Championships came unstuck on the wet track early in his 1/4 final, while Corey Taylor (WA) pipped on the line for fifth in the same heat which ended his 2019 run. Matt Tidswell's (SA) campaign ended in the Moto rounds. 

​Team Australia

• ELITE MEN Anthony Dean (SA), Kai Sakakibara (NSW), Matt Krasevskis (QLD), Izaac Kennedy (QLD), Josh McLean (VIC)
• ELITE WOMEN Saya Sakakibara (NSW), Lauren Reynolds (WA), Erin Lockwood (QLD)
• UNDER 19 MEN Matt Tidswell (SA), Jack Davis (NSW), Oliver Moran (NSW), Corey Taylor (WA)
• UNDER 19 WOMEN Des’ree Barnes (QLD)

Watch 

• Final Day Highlights - Foxtel Channel 507 - Sunday 28 July 1:00pm

With less than one year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Australian Team has its sights on the 2019 UCI BMX Racing World Championships. 
​
The Championships will be held at the BMX Club Circuit in Zolder, Belgium, with the finals on Saturday 27 July. 

Team Australia

• ELITE MEN Anthony Dean (SA), Kai Sakakibara (NSW), Matt Krasevskis (QLD), Izaac Kennedy (QLD), Josh McLean (VIC)
• ELITE WOMEN Saya Sakakibara (NSW), Lauren Reynolds (WA), Erin Lockwood (QLD)
• UNDER 19 MEN Matt Tidswell (SA), Jack Davis (NSW), Oliver Moran (NSW), Corey Taylor (WA)
• UNDER 19 WOMEN Des’ree Barnes (QLD)

BMX World Championships

• July 23-27, BMX Club Circuit in Zolder Official website

Schedule 

• 9pm AEST Saturday 27 July (13:00 local time) - Motos
• 1am AEST Sunday 28 July (17:00 local time) - Races 1/8 1/4, Semis, Finals

Watch 

• Final Day Highlights - Foxtel Channel 507 - Sunday 28 July 1:00pm

Follow #AusCyclingTeam

• australiancyclingteam.com
• facebook.com/AustralianCyclingTeam 
• instagram.com/australiancyclingteam
• twitter.com/AusCyclingTeam ​​

 Team Preview

Wollongong's Saya Sakakibara heads into the World Championships following a mixed opening to her 2019 World Cup season which saw her crash out of the semi-final of April’s opening round, forcing her to miss the second round with concussion. 

“I am excited to be racing Worlds,” said Saya, who regrouped to claim two finals appearances, highlighted by a fifth in the last round in France, across four rounds held in May and June. 

“I haven't had the best season so far having a few crashes early which set me back. But I really feel that over the past few weeks I have made some small improvements coming into worlds and my helping with my confidence."

It will be the 19-year-old’s second World Championship campaign in the elite field following an outstanding debut in 2018 which saw her finish sixth. And with the Tokyo Olympic Games just one year away, Saya knows the level of competition will be higher than ever this week in Belgium. 

“The women’s field is quite competitive and tough, it will be difficult for me to keep the single-digit [a number six race plate] I have been running for the past twelve months, but it is possible and I have high hopes I can get myself into the final and come away with a good result."

Kai Sakakibara enters his fifth consecutive elite World Championships with season honours including a career-best World Cup fourth-place in May’s third round, plus three semi-final finishes. 

"Always anxiety, anticipation and excitement coming into a Worlds, it is a whole new event every year, the most important event of 2019 for BMX," said Kai. "I know the Zolder track well having raced my first elite Worlds there five years ago in 2015, and I know have improved a lot in the past four years, and I would like to showcase that in 2019.  

“I’ve been getting some great practise in over the past few months and I’m feeling ready and confident coming into the racing.” 

2016 Olympic finalist Anthony Dean heads to a sixth straight Worlds Championships off the back of a consistent World Cup season which has seen him recently reach the finals in the third round held in France in June.

"I am excited to be a part of the team and excited to get there and showcase my skills,” said Dean, who enjoyed success on the Zolder track with a podium at the 2018 World Cup. “This year, especially leading into the Olympics for 2020, I am focused on getting better and improve as much as I can in all aspects.  

“I think I am bringing a pretty good package this year to Worlds, and I am excited to get back to this track and land on the podium this year."

Dual Olympian Lauren Reynolds will take her place in the starting gate for twelfth consecutive World Championships, with the 28-year-old’s green and gold campaign beginning in 2008 in the junior category. 

“It is an absolute honour to be a part of the team again and putting on the national jersey, and I am very excited for the World Championships,” said Reynolds, who won World Championship silver in 2013.  “It is the biggest race of the year and with one year out from the Olympic Games, the level of racing is higher than it has ever been. 

“Certainly I have high expectations, like every year, I have had a great preparation so am excited to get out there and put out a good performance.” The elite team also features Erin Lockwood, Matt Krasevskis, Izaac Kennedy and Josh McLean who will make their elite World Championship debut.

The Under 19 team includes Des’ree Barnes, Matt Tidswell, Jack Davis, Oliver Moran and Corey Taylor. 

With one year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Kaarle McCulloch is gearing up for the ride of her career.

The London 2012 Olympic Games team sprint bronze medallist with Anna Meares is enjoying some of the best form of her career in 2019 with a triple World Championship medal haul including the team sprint world title with Stephanie Morton. 

"Things are going really well for me this time around," said McCulloch, 31. "I became World Champion in February with Stephanie Morton in the Team Sprint, and we're just getting faster and faster every time we get on the track together. I think we're in a good spot."

McCulloch is hoping to claim her second Olympic team nod and is hungry after narrowly missing selection for the 2016 Rio Games.  The veteran knows the task ahead is tough and long, but will be using all of the experience gained over the past twelve years within the Australian Cycling Team program. 

"Everything seems to be coming together for me, I feel in a good position, everything I have learned from my experiences over the last three Olympic cycles is holding me in a good place," she added. "Really looking forward to seeing what I can do in Tokyo. When it comes to race day in Tokyo, I will know I have done everything I possibly could have done and whatever happens, happens." 

McCulloch, along with Morton, Matthew Glaetzer and Nathan Hart will head to Colorado in the USA in late July for a three-week altitude training camp.

The track cyclists will then turn their attentions to the Oceania Track Championships in New Zealand (October), 2019-20 UCI Track World Cups in Hong Kong and Brisbane (November/December), followed by the 2020 UCI Track World Championships in Germany (February), 

July 24, 2019 marks one year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

THE TEAM 

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) hopes to send the biggest Team ever to leave Australian shores, with cyclists set to make up a strong part of the green and gold contingent. 

​Cycling Australia (CA) will consider athletes for nomination to the AOC that it believes can achieve or contribute to Gold medal winning performances at the Olympic Games. CA may also consider athletes for nomination that can achieve or contribute to medal winning performances.

For all Disciplines, quota places are allocated to the AOC in accordance with the Qualification System as set out by the International Federations.  CA may not nominate more athletes than are permitted to be nominated by the AOC, but may nominate fewer athletes than are permitted.

The cyclists named to the Australian Team will be announced by the AOC in early-mid 2020. 

Cycling Australia Nomination Criteria  |  IOC Tokyo 2020 Official Documents
​
EVENTS

Five cycling disciplines will be contested - Track, Road, Mountain Bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle. 

BMX - Ariake Urban Sports Park

• Freestyle Park (Men/Women)
• Racing Race (Men/Women)

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Mountain Bike - Izu MTB Course

• Cross-Country (Men/Women)

Road - Fuji International Speedway

• Road Race (Men/Women)
• Individual Time Trial (Men/Women)

​Track - Izu Velodrome

• Team Sprint (Men/Women)
• Sprint (Men/Women)
• Keirin (Men/Women)
• Team Pursuit (Men/Women)
• Omnium (Men/Women)
• Madison (Men/Women)

Official Tokyo 2020 Schedule

WATCH

Seven has launched The Olympics Channel on 7plus which will broadcast until the Tokyo games start feature highlights and stories about the athletes and the Olympics. 
​
Via 7 Plus online or the app. 

​#TokyoTogether

Kai Sakakibara enters his fifth consecutive elite World Championships with season honours including a career-best World Cup fourth-place in May’s third round, plus three semi-final finishes. 

“Always anxiety, anticipation and excitement coming into a Worlds, it is a whole new event every year, the most important event of 2018 for BMX,” said Kai.  ”I know the Zolder track well having raced my first elite Worlds there five years ago in 2015, and I know have improved a lot in the past four years, and I would like to showcase that in 2019.  

“I’ve been getting some great practice in over the past few months and I’m feeling ready and confident coming into the racing.” 

The 2019 BMX Racing World Championships finals for the elite and junior categories will be held at the BMX Club Circuit in Zolder on Saturday 27 July. ​

2019 AUSTRALIAN TEAM 

ELITE MEN

• Anthony Dean (SA), Kai Sakakibara (NSW), Matt Krasevskis (QLD), Izaac Kennedy (QLD), Josh McLean (VIC)

ELITE WOMEN

• Saya Sakakibara (NSW), Lauren Reynolds (WA), Erin Lockwood (QLD)

UNDER 19 MEN

• Matt Tidswell (SA), Jack Davis (NSW), Oliver Moran (NSW), Corey Taylor (WA)

UNDER 19 WOMEN

• Des’ree Barnes (QLD)

FOLLOW

Australian Cycling Team #AusCyclingTeam

• australiancyclingteam.com
• facebook.com/AustralianCyclingTeam 
• instagram.com/australiancyclingteam
• twitter.com/AusCyclingTeam 

BMX World Championships 

• Official website

The Australian women's road development team has launched its 2019 winter road racing program in Belgium.

Four National Road Series (NRS) riders in Sarah Gigante (Roxsolt Attaquer), Josie Talbot (Roxsolt Attaquer), Ruby Roseman-Gannon (St LukesHealth TIS Racing Team) and Anya Louw (St LukesHealth TIS Racing Team) have joined Australian Cycling Team Podium Potential Academy members Maeve Plouffe (SA), Alexandra Martin-Wallace (QLD), Samantha de Riter (VIC) and Sophie Edwards (SA) for the trip. 

The riders opened their season on July 14 with two Belgian kermesses, with the outfit set to be tested at the Bene Tour (UCI 2.1) from July 18-21. 

Unfortunately, Plouffe will return to Australia after breaking her ulna and radius in a race crash in the opening weekend.

The program follows a successful partnership between CA and NRS teams in the 2019 Summer of Cycling which saw riders contesting the Santos Women's Tour Down Under, Deakin University Women's Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and Lexus of Blackburn Women's Herald Sun Tour.

Launched by Cycling Australia in November 2018, the Podium Potential Academy focuses on long term athlete development with the current cohort aiming for success at the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.

Schedule

• Jul 14 GP Sofie Goos Borgerhout 1.15A
• Jul 17 Arendonk 1.15A
• Jul 18 to 21 Bene Tour UCI 2.1
• Jul 19 Vrasene 1.15A
• Jul 23 Zottegem-Strijpen 1.15A
• Jul 26 Bambrugge-Erpe Mere 1.15A
• Jul 27 St Maria-Lierde 1.15A
• Jul 29 Boezinge WE UCI Crit
• Jul 30 Kapellen 1.15
• Jul 31 Antwerpen WE UCI Crit
• Aug 1 Herentals Fietst WE UCI Crit
• Aug 3 Erondeg Pijl (Erpe Mere) UCI 1.2

The elite team features siblings Saya Sakakibara and Kai Sakakibara, along with Erin Lockwood, Matt Krasevskis, Izaac Kennedy and Josh McLean who will make their elite World Championship debut.

The Under 19 team includes Des’ree Barnes, Matt Tidswell, Jack Davis, Oliver Moran and Corey Taylor. 

Meet the whole team at our Instagram Page

The 2019 BMX Racing World Championships finals for the elite and junior categories will be held at the BMX Club Circuit in Zolder on Saturday 27 July. 

2019 AUSTRALIAN TEAM 

ELITE MEN

• Anthony Dean (SA), Kai Sakakibara (NSW), Matt Krasevskis (QLD), Izaac Kennedy (QLD), Josh McLean (VIC)

ELITE WOMEN

• Saya Sakakibara (NSW), Lauren Reynolds (WA), Erin Lockwood (QLD)

UNDER 19 MEN

• Matt Tidswell (SA), Jack Davis (NSW), Oliver Moran (NSW), Corey Taylor (WA)

UNDER 19 WOMEN

• Des’ree Barnes (QLD)

FOLLOW

Australian Cycling Team #AusCyclingTeam

• australiancyclingteam.com
• facebook.com/AustralianCyclingTeam 
• instagram.com/australiancyclingteam
• twitter.com/AusCyclingTeam 

BMX World Championships 

• Official website

Following further consultation with BMX Australia, Cycling Australia has named an additional athlete, Erin Lockwood, to the 2019 UCI BMX World Championship team. 

​We wish her and the rest of the team the best of luck at the World Championships.

2019 AUSTRALIAN TEAM

ELITE MEN

• Anthony Dean (SA)
• Kai Sakakibara (NSW)
• Matt Krasevskis (QLD)
• Izaac Kennedy (QLD)
• Josh McLean (VIC)

ELITE WOMEN

• Saya Sakakibara (NSW)
• Lauren Reynolds (WA)
• Erin Lockwood (QLD)

UNDER 19 MEN

• Matt Tidswell (SA)
• Jack Davis (NSW)
• Oliver Moran (NSW)
• Corey Taylor (WA)
  
  

UNDER 19 WOMEN

• Des’ree Barnes (QLD)

FOLLOW

Australian Cycling Team #AusCyclingTeam
​

• australiancyclingteam.com
• Facebook - AustralianCyclingTeam
• Instagram - @australiancyclingteam
• Twitter - @AusCyclingTeam

BMX World Championships 

• Official website