Australia’s Saya Sakakibara has won the ‘Ready Steady Tokyo’, the official Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games test event being staged on the BMX racing circuit.

The Japanese-born Sakakibara narrowly edged reigning world champions Alise Post on the line in front of an adoring Tokyo crowd.
​
The looming typhoon forced the consolidation of the three-day event into one day with riders running all motos, semi finals and finals on one afternoon.

“This meant extra laps for us on this very very long track,” said Sakakibara, 20. “I didn’t know how my legs would make it through the day but I think we got through. was trying to save my energy, like rolling the last straight.”

In her fourth UCI BMX SX World Cup final of 2019, Saya Sakakibara has finished fourth in the eighth World Cup round held in Rock Hill, USA.

"I had a good day today," Sakakibara said. "I went through all the motos in first and second and I had a really good lap in my semi-final. I even had the second fastest lap for the day.

"It's really exciting to come away with the fourth and there are a lot of positives to come away from this weekend. I'm really looking forward to training again and ready to do it all again in Argentina."

Two crashes ended Kai Sakakibara's runs in the 1/8 finals in both rounds, while Anthony Dean suffered a dramatic crash in round seven and was forced out of round eight. 

UCI Rankings after Rd8:

Men

• Kai Sakakibara: 13th 380 points
• Anthony Dean: 23rd 245 points

Women

• Saya Sakakibara: 8th 515 points

The Australian Cycling Team is pleased to announce the BMX Race Individual Athlete Performance Support (IAPS) memberships for 2019-20. The quartet of Caroline Buchanan, Anthony Dean, Saya Sakakibara and Kai Sakakibara will receive the IAPS support. 

​“With Anthony Dean and Kai Sakakibara setting the fastest and fourth fastest laps in the elite men’s competition, and Saya Sakakibara setting the fastest lap for the elite women during the 2019 World Championships in July, it demonstrates that the Australian Cycling Team BMX Race athlete members are on track for Tokyo 2020,” said Australian Cycling Team BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes. 

“With the extended support the Australian Cycling Team has provided Caroline during her recovery period, and after recent observations of her in training, we believe it won't be long until Caroline will be in a similar position from when she last raced BMX Supercross in July 2017.” 

With less than a year to the Games, Bootes believes the team is on target to qualify two positions at the Games in the men’s and women’s events. 

“Our target for BMX IAPS is to deliver a medal in 2020 and we will continue to develop and support the athletes towards this trajectory,” added Bootes. 

“It will be a challenging and close race between nations to secure two positions for both men and women. The riders will be competing and targeting key events to help the qualification process while keeping the core performance objective the priority.”
​
The final two rounds of the 2019 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup season will be held in September, with Australia set to host the opening two rounds of the 2020 Series in February in Shepparton and Bathurst. 

The 2020 National Championships will feature in March, the 2020 World Championships head to the USA in May, while the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games BMX Race competition will take place on July 30-31. 

Australian Cycling Team BMX IAPS Membership for 2019-20

• Caroline Buchanan 
• Anthony Dean 
• Saya Sakakibara 
• Kai Sakakibara

Australia's Logan Martin celebrated dual gold at the 2019 Summer X Games in Minneapolis.

Gold Coast's Martin grabbed his first victory over Japan's Rim Nakamura and Jose Torres of Argentina on Friday, before doubling up in the BMX dirt event with a huge 94.66 score on the last of his three runs.

Martin overhauled fellow Aussie Brandon Loupos, who had posted 92.00 points on his first run.

Men's BMX Park
Gold: Logan Martin
Silver: Rim Nakamura
Bronze: Jose Torre

BMX Dirt
Gold: Logan Martin (94.66)
Silver: Brandon Loupos (92.00)
Bronze: Dawid Godziek (90.66)

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. 

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 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

‪#UCIBMXWC Round 5 & 6

The 2019 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup season continues with round 5 and 6 at Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines in Paris on June 8-9.

In action for the Australian Cycling Team will be Wollongong’s Saya Sakakibara, Kai Sakakibara and Adelaide's Anthony Dean.

Saya heads into the weekend fresh off a final and semi-final appearance at the third and fourth rounds held in April, with two podium finishes at the equivalent 2018 rounds held on the Paris track also strong in her memory.

Kai equalled his career-best World Cup result with a fourth-place finish in the third round last month, while Anthony progressed to the semi-final at the opening two rounds in England in April.

The World Cups provide valuable points towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification.  

• Website ffc.fr/coupe-monde-bmx-2018
• Results uci.org/uci-bmx-supercross-world-cup
• Watch live facebook.com/UCIBMXSupercross

Wollongong's Kai Sakakibara equalled his career-best UCI BMX Supercross World Cup result with a fourth place finish in the season's third round held in Papendal, the Netherlands.
 
Sakakibara recovered after a slow start in Saturday's third round final to finish just off the podium behind Dutch 2018 World Cup champion Niek Kimmann. 
  
"I felt great all day," Sakakibara said after equalling his career best result which he achieved in 2018 in Belgium. "I won my first round, the round of 16 and the eighth (final). I even got a second place in my quarter, but coming down to that final, it was really tight, and I was really excited to be there as it was my first World Cup final of the year.
 
"I got a bit shot down in the first straight and tried to work my way back but finished fourth. Overall a really good result and I'm happy to get the score on the board. A couple of things to work on for tomorrow but I can't wait."
 
In Sunday's fourth round, Sakakibara's campaign ended in the quarter-final stage.  The 22-year-old now sits eighth on the overall World Cup standings.

Kai's sister Saya Sakakibara grabbed a semi final and final finish for the two rounds, just two weeks after crashing out of the World Cup opening round in England.

"I was already thankful I was able to race," said Saya after her round three semi final finish on Saturday. "I chose lane eight in the semi final to give myself some room and I was confident I was able to get through the first few jumps OK.

"Later in the race, I made a decision to not jump, but to pump in the second straight, which unfortunately was the wrong decision and I lost position and I ended up fifth.

"That was disappointing, but I am happy that I was able to have a good race and stayed on my bike which was a big box to tick in this round for me."

Round 3 & 4 Results - Papendal

• Saya Sakakibara: Round 3 - 5th in semi-final; Round 4 - eighth in the final
• Kai Sakakibara: Round 3 - 4th in final; Round 4 - seventh in quarterfinal

World Cup standings - after Round 4: 

• Men's: Kai Sakakibara 8th; Anthony Dean: 24th
• Women's: Saya Sakakibara: 14th

Full results from the 2019 World Cup season. 

The 2019 UCI BMX SX World Cup now moves to France for Round 5 and 6 which will be held in St Quentin en Yvelines on June 8-9. â€‹

The 2019 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup season has opened in Manchester England with mixed results for the Australian Cycling Team.

Saya Sakakibara, who finished second overall on the 2018 international rankings, unfortunately, crashed out of Saturday's opening round in the semi-final stage and was forced to miss Sunday's second round.

In a semifinal littered with some of the sport's biggest names including Olympic gold medallist Mariana Pajon, reigning world champion Laura Smulders and former world champion Alise Willoughby, Sakakibara crashed in the front straight on the first jump.  

The Wollongong cyclist was knocked unconscious and was taken to hospital for tests but was later cleared of major injury. She ultimately finished 16th in the round and sat out Sunday's second round.

"In the semi, it was quite a stacked race, I lined up next to Mariana and Alise so it was quite the mental challenge at the start," Sakakibara, who is hoping to be ready for the next leg of the World Cup season in the Netherlands on May 11-12. "But I was able to do a good gate but got squeezed on the first jump and unfortunately went down, hitting my head, and blacked out a bit.

"Just looking to rest up and hoping to be fine for Papendal in two weeks."

In the men's competition, Adelaide's Anthony Dean and Wollongong's Kai Sakakibara progressed to the semifinals in both rounds.

Dean narrowly missed a final in round one after finishing fifth in his semifinal, before his second round campaign was cut short by after a mechanical. 

"First World Cup of the season, I was having a great opening day, won some laps and rode my way into the semifinal," said Dean. "I had a great start, executed everything I needed to and went into the first turn in second but was ridden high and ended up being pushed into fourth and then got past right on the last straight for fifth. 

"Then in round two, qualifying through the rounds ended up in the semifinal, I had a great gate state but had a mechanical error when my foot came out of the pedal, which disappointingly ended my day." 

• Results Round 1  | Round 2
• Watch the Round 1 & 2 action from Manchester UCI BMX SX Live video
• Next Up Round 3 & 4 - Papendal, The Netherlands, 11- 12 May 2019 UCI BMX SX Home​

The Australian Cycling Team is ready ahead of the 2019 UCI World Cup season which gets underway in Manchester on April 26.

Five countries will each host two rounds of the Series in 2019 the beginning in Manchester in April, before taking in stops in the Netherlands, France, USA and Argentina.

The 2019 World Championships will slot in between the French and USA rounds in July, with the 2019 season to offer all-important qualification points for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Saya Sakakibara shone while on her debut in the elite ranks in 2018, finishing second overall on the year-end international rankings claiming one World Cup win and four podium appearances, in addition to claiming sixth in her first elite career World Championship final.  

"2018 was such a crazy season for me, I didn't expect any of the results," said Wollongong's Sakakibara, 19. "It has shown me it is possible to do it, now I understood where I am at against the rest of the field.  

"Coming into 2019, obviously there is confidence I can take into the season, But it is a brand new year, there is probably another new group coming through, it is a pre-Olympic year so everyone is trying to get those Olympic points. It is going to be really competitive, even more than last year.

"But like last year, I will be taking it race by race, coming into it with no expectations. I plan to build on 2018, learn from mistakes that I make along the way, and continue to grow as an athlete."

With a valuable year of experience under her belt, Saya dedicated her Australian based summer offseason to strength and power program. 

"At only 19, I am not as strong as the older girls in the elite class, so being in the gym three times a week was a priority over summer, working on my strength and power," said Sakakibara, who turns 20 in August. "Now it will be all about trying to convert that strength base into power and then on the bike.

Sakakibara opened 2019 with victory in the Oceania Championships and will be chasing the podium in Manchester.

"Always chasing the podium, Manchester is a tight track, it will be a new experience, tight racing, everyone is eager to put down good results to start the reason, going to be very competitive."

Kai Sakakibara celebrated his start to 2019 with victory in January's Oceania Championships and like sibling Saya, spent much of his summer deep in an offseason strength program. 

"We have seen great improvements from October 2018 vs February 2019, my sprint times have improved, as well as my start Hill times at Brisbane SX track as well," said Kai. "Another focus for me was on marginal gains - this was in sleep, nutrition, recovery, as well as doing what I already do in training a little bit better. 

"I think all of this combined has shown a huge bump in my performance compared to last year." 

Adelaide's Anthony Dean will also line up in Manchester's opening round following a consistent 2018 where he grabbed a podium at the Belgium World Cup round, in addition to two top-five placings, and top ten at the World Championships. 

"Heading into the 2019 season with high confidence and hopes," said Dean. "After finishing the final World Cup of 2018 in third, I have been setting my sights on the top step of the podium. 

"I am coming into the 2019 season in my best shape and looking forward to racing in the venue I got my first World Cup podium in 2014."

As the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games moves closer into view, Cycling Australia BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes is looking forward to another season.  

"The Australian Cycling Team have clear individual performance plans for all riders as we embrace diversity to enhance the individual athlete by targeting key areas of support required by the support network we align within Australia and around the world.  

"Simplifying the process and focusing on tasks and activities that will make an impact on performance."

2019 BMX Supercross Schedule - Riders contesting Round

• 27/28 April: Round 1&2 - Manchester, United Kingdom - Anthony, Kai & Saya
• 11/12 May: Round 3&4 - Papendal, Netherlands - Kai & Saya
• 8/9 June: Round 5&6 - Paris, France - Anthony, Kai & Saya
• 23-27 July: 2019 World Championships - Heusden-Zolder, Belgium
• 14/15 September: Round 7&8 - Rock Hill, USA
• 28/29 September: Round 9&10 - Santiago Del Estero, Argentina

More details at the UCI website:  https://www.uci.org/bmx-racing/events/uci-bmx-supercross-world-cup â€‹â€‹â€‹

Sydney's Brandon Loupos has opened the 2019 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup season with victory in round one, with many hailing his winning run as the best ever seen at a BMX Freestyle Park event.

After crashing in his first final run in Hiroshima, Loupos fired in an insane second run which included a 1080, a double backflip, a 900 and a Cash Roll to score 95.80 points, the highest score ever recorded at a World Cup event. 

"My score feels amazing and I couldn't be more blessed to get a score like that especially after crashing on the first run and giving the second run all I had, nothing feels better," Loupos said. 

"It is pretty crazy to have people come up to me and say 'it's the best run of all time' because to me it's just important to land my planned run and to inspire others. My main goal is to honor Dave Mirra, the greatest of all time, and when people say that was the best run ever, it makes me think I'm considered to be worthy of Dave Mirra."

The win matched Loupos' efforts in the same round of the 2018 World Cup last April. 

"It feels unreal. I'm in the same position as last year, but this year since I've already had more experience and more times staying at number 1, I definitely plan to keep it," added Loupos, the 2018 World Championship bronze medallist. "I have the maturity and experience now to work hard at home to maintain the number 1 position throughout year."

2017 world champion Logan Martin claimed third with 91.10 points on his first run which included a 4 tail whip combo, and a 540 flair right on the buzzer.

BMX FREESTYLE

There were dual celebrations for Brandon Loupos who claimed two C1 events in Canada.

Sydney's Loupos won the Canadian Joyride150 event in Toronto, and with an international field in below freezing conditions, was grateful that the competition was indoors on an amazing skate park. Brandon followed this with a win on the Sunday at the Toronto X jam event.

Brandon currently resides in North Carolina USA as he prepares for the 2019 World Cup season which begins in Japan on April 19.

Logan Martin continues to sweat it up in during his Australian season, taking the win at Brisbane's Village Skate Park in his first contest back from injuring his ankle prior to the 2018 World Championships in November.  

Completing his rehab at his Australian base, Martin will begin a busy 2019 season in Costa Rica next weekend with for the X Knights competition / show.

With the Olympic debut of BMX Freestyle Park now less than 18 months away, Australia’s Logan Martin and Brandon Loupos have ramped up their preparations with a visit to the Australian Cycling Team Headquarters in Adelaide. 

Having delivered the BMX High-Performance Program within Australia over the last twelve years as recognised by the Australian Olympic Committee and the UCI, Cycling Australia recently introduced a number of changes within its 2020-24 High-Performance Strategy.  

In addition to solidifying the BMX Supercross program, a select number of BMX Freestyle Park athletes were identified as medal potentials and subsequently are now supported by individual scholarships. 

BMX Freestyle Park, which makes its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, is an adrenaline-fuelled mix of tricks and jumps taking place over a series of ramps and large obstacles within a 30mx50m park. Athletes complete two one-minute runs each, with judges scoring on difficulty, originality, style, flow, risk, height and execution of tricks.

Australia’s athletes have excelled in the format in recent years with Logan Martin, claiming the inaugural World Championships in 2017, while Brandon Loupos won World Championships bronze in 2018. The pair has medalled at numerous World Cup events over the past few seasons, while also standout performers on the lucrative X-Games circuit. 

Along with Australian Cycling Team BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes, Martin and Loupos visited the Australian Cycling Team training base in Adelaide to meet performance coaching, support and operational staff.

The visit included one on one meetings with Strength And Power Coach Scott Baker, Nutritionist Jill Leckey, and Team Doctor Mark Fisher. Martin and Loupos also swapped their BMX bikes for Argon track bikes for a track session with sprint world champion Matthew Glaetzer, while also working out in the gym with the men’s track endurance squad.

For Martin, the visit was a realisation of the high-quality resources and support network available to all Australian Cycling Team athletes.  

“It is super cool to catch up on knowledge and experience this place has to offer, we've certainly got all the resources we need to be at the top of our games,” said Martin.

“We have an exciting journey ahead over the next 16 months, and we will be keeping in contact to ensure I can stay at my peak performance.”

Loupos was equally taken back by the welcome into the program and the wider cycling Australian Cycling Team family. 

“This place speaks for itself, the gym and athletes are great, a great positive vibe,” echoed Loupos. “I was welcomed by all the great staff, meeting all the track guys was a cool experience.  

“As we move towards Tokyo, it is only going to get better and more positive and breed success.”

Australian Cycling Team BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes is excited about the difference the support network will have on the athletes as they fine-tune their Olympic preparations. 

“It is a great opportunity to have the freestyle guys here at the Australian Cycling Team training facility in Adelaide, to see the support network and different aspects that will make a difference to them in competition,” Bootes said. 

“We look forward to exploring different things, going deeper and focussing what each athlete needs going into Tokyo.”

Siblings Saya and Kai Sakakibara celebrated victory at the 2019 Oceania BMX Championships in Te Awamutu, New Zealand.
 
"I hadn't raced for three months or so, I was a bit shaky at the start, so it was nice to bring it all together in the final," said Saya who took the lead on the first turn and held it to the finish line.

"Last year I missed out on the Oceania Championships because I was away overseas competing, so compete against my all time idol [Sarah Walker] and all the other amazing competitors from Australia and New Zealand it was the icing on the cake to take the win today.
 
In a closely fought men's final, Sakakibara chased down Brandon Te Hiko (Australia) in the closing metres to take the title.

"I’m very happy to begin the year with a win at the Oceanias," said Kai. "I didn’t have huge expectations as the event fell right in the middle of my off season training block, so it was great to still come away with a solid win."

The pair will now head back to their training base on the Gold Coast as they begin preparations for the World Cup season which begins in April.

Results | Event Website 

The second edition of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships gets under way in Chengdu, China, this week (November 7-11).

Look out for the Aussies in action - Brandon Loupos, Jake Wallwork, Caroline Buchanan and Kyle Baldock!

Sydney's Loupos celebrated victory in the opening round of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup, while Melbourne's Wallwork claimed the win in the Series' final round last weekend.

Gold Coast’s Baldock took silver last month at the Sydney X-Games, while Australia’s Queen of BMX Buchanan was been selected following her ninth place at the Freestyle World Cup in China on the weekend.

The Gold Coast’s reigning world champion Logan Martin, who claimed the first-ever rainbow jersey on offer in the discipline in 2017, was forced to withdraw after injuring his ankle during training in October. 

Catch Sunday's Finals live via the UCI BMX Freestyle Facebook page or via UCI Youtube channel.

Visit the official 2018 Urban Worlds website at www.urbanworlds.cn

Dual Olympian, Caroline Buchanan will try her hand at a new discipline of cycling when she competes in the final round of the 2018 UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup in China from 2-4 November.

Last December, Buchanan suffered life-threatening injuries including a broken nose, sternum, two collapsed lungs and bleeding around her heart following an off-road vehicle accident outside of Canberra. The accident forced her off the bike until July where she claimed the win in just her second race back at the Rockshox Pump Track Challenge in Canada.

"It has been quite a challenging year for me, most of my years have been an athlete focus," said the 28-year-old, who married her longtime partner Barry Noble in the USA last month. "2018 has been a human focus; life and health have taken priority."

"I have never had six months off the bike before, so the challenge for me this year was all about being patient, sit through injuries and recover."

In true Buchanan style, when faced with one challenge, the best response is to take on another. The Canberran has taken up Freestyle BMX, an exciting new discipline of the sport which sees cyclists perform a series of tricks and jumps across a ramp-filled course. 

"I love a challenge, I have pelted in a straight line for 22 years of my life, so for me to step away from being a racer into freestyle, to have to learn aerial awareness, to taking my hand off my handlebar for the first time in twenty years, to learning the tricks and the backflips," Buchanan explained.

"It has been quite a rewarding journey, it has taken me back to that five-year-old girl when I started riding my bike, every day was a win.

"I have small wins each day to take away, not only in my comeback, to continue to build where I need to be, back in the racing world."

The change of disciplines isn't new for Buchanan whose eight world titles are comprised of mountain biking and BMX. However, she believes it was her car accident in December that has given her the resolve to take on the new challenge. 

"Any time I have stepped off the racing path I have always been on two wheels, but I have always been on dirt," she explained. "This is still two wheels, but a very different environment, learning metal coping, concrete, being on wood.

"I am going from a sport where you might crash one or two times a year, to one where you may crash 10-20 times a session when you're learning, it has built resilience, and I smile through the journey and continue the personal progression.

"I wouldn’t have been able to do this before the accident, but coming back from my injury, it has pushed me. It has strengthened me to know what my body can sustain.  I know I am never going to get that injury on a bike, so that has given me the confidence to step into this new world."

Buchanan's progression has been rapid, with her competition debut set for November 2 at the 2018 UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup. 

"I was nervous to sign up," Buchanan revealed. "I am completely stepping out of my comfort zone. I think it has been rewarding as an eight-time world champion in different disciplines of cycling, but to put the 'L' plates on again, to learn, to come in as an underdog, it is exhilarating."

While Buchanan is dipping her toe into the discipline which is set to make its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, there is no denying the dual Olympian's goal for the Games. 

"I went to London, I went to Rio, and my goal is to go to Tokyo for racing," Buchanan asserted. “Racing is my bread and butter. I'm competitive, I love racing, for me that is first and foremost.  

"I have always treated mountain biking as a bonus, it has always been my refresh button, it has kept longevity for me in the sport. So I see BMX Freestyle as that, a refresh and for diversity."

Regardless of which form she chooses, Buchanan is excited about what lies ahead for her in her newly elected discipline. 

"What you can see you can't be," she added. "The scene is evolving for women and girls now. We have seen the expansion of all action sports into the Olympics, we have the first nationals coming up soon and would hope that is the first opportunity for women.

"I have taken a passion and would love to see more girls get involved."

Photos - Con Chronis

Copyright Craig Dutton