BMX Freestyle Rider Logan Martin has won the sixty-fifth Sir Hubert' Oppy' Opperman Medal after being named the 2021 Santini AusCycling Cyclist of the Year.

Martin's maiden 'Oppy' Medal came following a stunning 2021, which saw the 28-year-old rider from the Gold Coast win the inaugural BMX Freestyle Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and secure a second world title since 2017.

"Honestly, it is super amazing to win this award. There are a lot of amazing athletes that have won this award. And to now be a winner of this award is super something super special," Martin said via a video acceptance speech during the virtual 2021 AusCycling Awards ceremony presented by Comwire IT.

"I have always just ridden my bike and put in the work, just like any other athlete does and to now be sitting alongside some amazing names, it is pretty hard to believe to be honest."

Read full release. 

It was ecstasy and agony for Australia at the 2021 UCI BMX Freestyle World Championships in France on Monday, with Logan Martin (Gold Coast, QLD) celebrating a second world title in four years while a knee injury sadly ended reigning world champion Brandon Loupos’ (Sydney, NSW) title defense.  

"It feels amazing. I came out here and wanted to pull a good ride and take the win," said Martin, who claimed the inaugural world title in 2017. "That is two times now, and I am super stoked. I am speechless." 

How it unfolded 

Twelve riders took to the Montpellier BMX Freestyle Park for the 2021 World Championships final, with Australia featuring four riders in Logan Martin (Gold Coast, QLD), Brandon Loupos (Sydney, NSW), Josh Matthews (Gold Coast, QLD) and Jaie Toohey (Gold Coast, QLD).  

BMX Freestyle Park, which will make its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, is an adrenaline-fueled mix of tricks and jumps over a series of ramps and obstacles. Athletes complete two one-minute runs each, with judges scoring on difficulty, originality, style, flow, risk, height and execution of tricks. The riders are ranked by the best score from their two runs.  

The start of the final was delayed for 45 minutes following the crash of a rider in training which would, unfortunately, set the tone for what turned out to be a crashed-marred final.  

Brandon Loupos (Sydney, NSW) was the first rider to take to course, with the 2019 world champion looking strong with a host of scorching tricks early in his first one-minute run. However, heartbreak followed when his foot slipped on the pedal, which sent the Sydney rider crashing to the floor. 

Clutching his right knee, Loupos was quickly stretchered off by event medical staff. Despite a brave second attempt at completing his opening run less than ten minutes later, still visibly in pain, Loupos retired just moments into his second run. His first run score of 39points placed him eleventh overall. 

2017 world champion Logan Martin (Gold Coast, QLD) stunned with an array of tricks in his opening one-minute run to rocket to the top of the standings with a score of 94.90points. In his second run, Martin chose fewer but more challenging tricks, with his near-flawless run judged to a score of 93.30points. 

Martin celebrated his victory in the Team Australia pits after watching the final two riders fall short of bettering Martin's opening run score of 94.90points.  Daniel Sandoval (USA) won silver, while Marin Rantes (Croatia) took bronze.  

The Championships was Martin's first international competition in over twelve months after spending the last 15 months in Australia, where he claimed the 2021 national crown in March.  

"While we have had a year and a half off, we have all put in so much hard work and the competition has stepped up so much," said Martin, 27. "The last year never really slowed down for me. I just rode as much as I could, stayed focus all the way up to this event. It has paid off today. It is such a good feeling.  

"The competition was tough out there today, I did just want to do my run, I had a good run planned. While I didn't do what I wanted to do completely, I still got a high score and next time, hopefully I will pull out the one I want to get done." 

"Going into this event we were trying to top America. But I came here just trying to do my best, I knew I had done all the work, and it all paid off today." ​

Matthews and Toohey impressed from the opening day while on their World Championships debut, finishing sixth and tenth, respectively.  

Matthews scored 74.40points in his first run and lifted in his second run to score 85.70points. Toohey crashed seconds into his first run but recovered to make a stunning comeback in his second run, which saw him attract a finals best score of 60.60points despite hitting the deck late.  

Team Australia will head fly out of France tomorrow and back to Australia to complete two weeks of hotel quarantine before resuming training on the Gold Coast. 

The BMX Freestyle selections to the Australian Olympic Team will be announced later in June.  

Final Results Elite Men

• 1. Logan Martin (AUS) 

• 2. Daniel Sandoval (USA)  

• 3. Marin Rantes (CRO)  

• 4. Justin Dowell (USA)  

• 5. Nick Bruce (USA) 

• 6. Josh Matthews (AUS)  
• 10. Jaie Toohey (AUS) 
• 11 Brandon Loupos (AUS)  

Complete Results ​

All four members of Team Australia have made it through to the final of the 2021 UCI BMX Freestyle World Championships in France.

The top 24 riders progressed through Saturday's qualification round to Sunday's semi finals and it was an entertaining affair in Montpellier, with riders pulling out elaborate tricks early.

2017 world champion Logan Martin (Gold Coast, QLD) was the pick of the Aussies, finishing third after an impressive second run which attracted a score of 91.94pts.

The USA duo of Daniel Sandoval (94.06pts) and Nicholas Bruce (92.64pts) taking the top two spots into Sunday's final.

Logan Martin

"Semi Finals today went pretty good, I ended up sort of messing up my first one a little bit but the score was enough to get me into the final. So my second run, I just wanted to play around with a couple of things that I had planned to do tomorrow, just to get them done in the run and in my second run I did a better run, qualifying third, so went really well."

"If the final is going to be anything like the semi finals, it's going to be crazy. Everyone was out there sending it, everyone was being super consistent and pulling all their bigger tricks as well, the final is only going to get bigger and better."

Australia will take a third of the final placings after all four Aussies progressed through the semi finals. 
 
Jaie Toohey (Gold Coast, QLD) finished seventh with 86.90pts, Joshua Matthews (Gold Coast, QLD) eighth (86.52pts).  

Reigning world champion Brandon Loupos (Gold Coast, QLD) was eleventh after crashing in his first run and scoring 83.70pts in his second. 

Live Timing and Results

AUS v USA as nations target Tokyo

It all comes down to the final day with eyes also on the battle of Australia vs USA.  

The Championships provide the final opportunity for nations to qualify points towards positions in the BMX Freestyle competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The nation that finishes on top of the Men's BMX Freestyle UCI Olympic Qualification Rankings at the end of the qualification period will secure two male athlete positions at the Tokyo Olympic Games. 

With Australia and the USA currently tied on points at the top of the rankings, Australia needs to contest the World Championships in order to stay in contention for top spot.

Watch Live online

The men's final will take place from midnight Australian EST on Tuesday 8 June, you can stream the final live via facebook.com/UCIBMXFreestyle

Team Australia has arrived in France ahead of the 2021 UCI BMX Freestyle World Championships, to be held in Montpellier from 4-8 June 2021.   

Reigning world champion Brandon Loupos (Sydney, NSW), 2017 world champion Logan Martin (Gold Coast, QLD), Josh Matthews (Gold Coast, QLD) and Jaie Toohey (Gold Coast, QLD) arrived on Wednesday.

The Championships provide the final opportunity for nations to qualify points towards positions in the BMX Freestyle competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The nation that finishes on top of the Men's BMX Freestyle UCI Olympic Qualification Rankings at the end of the qualification period will secure two male athlete positions at the Tokyo Olympic Games. 

With Australia and the USA currently tied on points at the top of the rankings, Australia needs to contest the World Championships in order to stay in contention for top spot. 

One of the most popular disciplines of cycling, BMX Freestyle 'Park' is defined by aerial tricks made possible by the shape of the course and the speed of the riders.

If the technicality of the tricks is very important in the scoring process, other criteria such as the use of the whole Park and the originality of the lines chosen make it possible to judge this discipline.

The Men's Finals will take place from midnight Australian EST on Tuesday 8 June.

Complete Program

Brandon Loupos - 2019 World Champion

I'm really looking forward to going back to defend my rainbow jersey.

It (the rainbow jersey) means everything to me, really.  I feel like I can go do my my normal routine that I do every day and go in with the rainbows, but at the same time, it's something that I'm not going to try and over achieve for it. I'm going to let it come to me. Because as long as I do my best performance, I know it's in the package.

To have no competitions for way over a year has been really, really disappointing for a lot of us. So finally have something to connect that warm up to the Olympics is awesome.

The BMX world is such a friendly community, regardless what country you're from, we're all one big happy family,, so it's gonna be really hard for all of us to be together after not seeing each other for nearly two years, and go within six feet of each other, or metre and a half. And, and, you know, stay within a distance of each other.

Logan Martin - 2017 World Champion

I'm super excited (to be off to Worlds) after a year and a half with no international contests. The last year and a half I've actually been putting in a lot of work, even though it was essentially downtime and staying home a lot. So I'm excited to go and put on a show and compete with my friends again.

We've just been training and working to the Olympics, we had a massive block, like a massive training block. But I found motivation to perfect old tricks, learn new tricks, and just keep on pushing.

It is super cool that the first event back we are traveling as a team, it is a World Championship. Our main focus going into the World Championships is to beat America as myself and Brandon need to do better than America so we can qualify Australia in the top spot and take take two riders to Tokyo.

I just want to go and plan out a good run and pull it and execute it to a high standard. And there was the results will, you know, the results will work out the way they work out. But I just want to go and do my best.

In the women's UCI Olympic Qualification Rankings, Australia is currently in position to secure one place at the Games. Regardless of whether Australia contests the World Championships, Australia's position on the rankings is unlikely to change, therefore Natalya Diehm will not travel to the World Championships in line with AusCycling's position statement on international competition activities. 

Australian National Team for 2021 BMX World Championships

• Logan Martin (Gold Coast, QLD) - 2017 world champion  
• Brandon Loupos (Sydney, NSW) - 2019 world champion 
• Josh Matthews (Gold Coast, QLD)   
• Jaie Toohey (Gold Coast, QLD) 

 
#AusCyclingTeam

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

The 2021 BMX Freestyle National Championships at Melbourne’s Rampfest Indoor Skatepark on Sunday delivered a high-octane event with world champions, Olympic hopefuls and a record entrant list across junior, elite and masters categories, energising the packed crowd!

WOMEN’S Diehm overcomes wrist fracture to defend title

PODIUM

• GOLD Natalya Diehm
• SILVER Sophie Hildebrand

World number six Natalya Diehm defended her title with a stylish and courageous display.

After suffering a broken wrist in training in February, Diehm was initially ruled out of the Championships. However, she received medical clearance on Thursday after arriving in Melbourne just forty-eight hours before the final.

After hosting a come and try clinic with the next generation of Australia’s BMX Freestylers, Diehm rode to gold while unable to perform at 100% and with a borrowed bike and helmet.

Quotes - Natalya Diehm

“I’m so happy I could actually ride even with a hand injury, just coming off a broken hand. I’m super excited to defend my title.”

“It wasn’t until the flight here that I got medical clearance for the ride, so I didn’t have my bike or my helmet, it was all borrowed, but I did my best and got the gold.”

“All a part of the journey, I’m super excited, can’t wait to get back to 100% and give it my best.”

MEN’S World champion tussle as Martin claims third straight

PODIUM

• GOLD Logan Martin
• SILVER Brandon Loupos
• BRONZE Joshua Matthews

2017 world champion Logan Martin claimed the green and gold national champion’s jersey for a record third time.

Martin’s experience was too good on the day, topping qualifying on the Saturday before delivering two spectacular one-minute runs in Sunday’s final.

Martin’s best score of his two runs was 93-points which gave him the crown, three points ahead of reigning world champion Brandon Loupos (90pts), with Joshua Matthews (87pts) rounding out the podium in bronze.

Quotes - Logan Martin

“It feels amazing to pull on the green and gold (jersey). I was going for the three-peat today, that’s the goal I had set out, to take home another gold. To be Australian champion three times in a row is amazing.

“I’m super stoked on the runs I pulled, pretty much did everything I had planned, one or two things in each run I had to sacrifice, but for the most part that was what I had planned.

“The standard of riding is really going through the roof. The progression rate on BMX Freestyle in Australia is amazing right now. We had an amazing turn out as well, especially after having the year we’ve had with minimal events. To see everyone get behind the 2021 Nationals is amazing.

“Amazing to be back out there after a year of training, we were at home trying to better ourselves to go to the next event and not to have many events over the last year was difficult. It’s really good to get out there and do what we have been practising in the last year.

Melbourne's Rampfest will host Australia's best riders for the 2021 BMX Freestyle National Championships this weekend, including a trio with their sights on the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The 2021 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships is open for riders of any age or skill level with national titles and rankings on offer for male and females in Juniors Under 15; Amateur 15 & Over, Master 30 + and Pro/Elite categories.

What is BMX Freestyle?

BMX Freestyle sees riders perform a series of tricks during a '1-minute run' across a ramp-filled course, where tricks are judged based on difficulty, originality, style and execution.

BMX Freestyle will make its debut on the Olympic Games program in Tokyo later this year.

Riders to watch at Nationals

The 2020 AusCycling BMX Rider of the Year Loupos will sport the rainbow jersey as reigning world champion, while the 2017 world champion Martin will be aiming to defend his national crown.

World number six and current national champion Natalya Diehm suffered a broken wrist in training last month, and while originally ruled out of the competition, she has been cleared to ride. 

Event Snapshot
​
2021 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships

​Saturday

9am - 12pm - Open Practice (for all competitors)
12pm - 1pm - Am Practice
1pm - 2:30pm - Am Qualifying
2:30pm - 3:30pm - Pro Practice
3:30pm - 5:30pm - Pro Qualifying

Sunday

9am - 11am - Junior & Masters Practice
11am - 12pm - Junior Competition
12pm - 1pm - Masters Competition
1:15pm - 2pm - Am Finals Practice
2pm - 3pm - Am Finals
3:15pm - 4pm - Pro Finals Practice
4pm - 5:30pm - Pro Finals
6pm - Presentations

Rampfest Indoor Skatepark - 47 Hillary St, Braybrook, Melbourne​

​The Australian Cycling Team is pleased to announce the BMX Freestyle Athlete Memberships for 2020/2021. 

The three athletes who will receive memberships are reigning world champion Brandon Loupos, 2017 world champion Logan Martin, and women's world number six Natalya Diehm. 

Sydney's Brandon Loupos enjoyed a stunning 2019 season highlighted by winning his maiden rainbow jersey, in addition to recording the highest score ever recorded at a World Cup.  Brandon won the highest prize purse in BMX Freestyle at the Japan event early 2020. 

Gold Coast's Logan Martin, dual 2019 X Games gold and Urban Games gold, a two-time FISE World Series champion (2015 and 2016), claimed the inaugural BMX Freestyle world title at the 2017 UCI Urban World Championships before taking silver behind Loupos in 2019.   

After turning pro in 2018, Brisbane's Diehm has enjoyed a rapid rise, firstly winning the 2019 Vans BMX Pro Cup which featured events in the USA, Australia, Germany and Mexico before finishing sixth during her Australian Team debut at the 2019 Urban World Championships. In 2019, she also added an Oceania and National title to her resume.  

With the 2020 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the trio returned to Australia where they continue to prepare for the Tokyo Olympic Games at the newly built BMX Freestyle Indoor Training Facility on the Gold Coast. 

The trio will contest the 2021 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships to be held at Beenleigh in Brisbane on December 12 where Martin and Diehm will aim to defend their titles. 
​
Australian Cycling Team BMX Freestyle Athlete Memberships 2020/2021 

• Brandon Loupos, 27, NSW, Podium 
• Logan Martin, 27, QLD, Podium 
• Natalya Diehm, 23, QLD, Podium Ready 

​As COVID-19 continues to alter how Australian Cycling Team athletes train and prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Cycling Australia (CA) has committed to a new BMX Freestyle Indoor Training Facility in Australia. 
 
Earlier in 2020, COVID-19 restrictions forced the closure of two of Queensland’s indoor skate parks, which also formed part of the daily training environment base for the Australian Cycling Team’s BMX Freestyle athletes.
 
With the athletes left with no facility at which to train, Australian Cycling Team staff and athletes held discussions to determine how to best support Tokyo 2020 preparations. 
 
Australia’s reigning world champion in Brandon Loupos, 2017 world champion Logan Martin, and women’s world number six in Natalya Diehm put their support behind a facility proposal.
 
In August, access to a warehouse on the Gold Coast was secured and in September, several team staff and athletes set to work with lead park builder Jason Watts from Universal Ramps on building the indoor training facility. 
 
The facility includes ramps, walls, transitions and quarter pipes up to ten feet, with protective matting and foam pits in both directions allowing riders to advance and develop new tricks in a safe environment.

​
Australian Cycling Team BMX Technical Director Wade Bootes is ecstatic that Australia’s athletes now have access to a world-class facility with leading nations such as Japan, Russia, USA and France already boasting Freestyle training centres. 
 
“Our training facility is a learning centre to create an environment to support the athletes in a safe and controlled way as they prepare for the Tokyo Games in 2021,” said Bootes. “The park layout was designed to also enhance the riders conditioning with continued eccentric and concentric movement patterns due to the pumping action back to back.  
 
“The ramps were designed to cater towards various lines between left and right at competition size and transitions to mimic international courses. 
 
“Having the Freestyle Australian Cycling Team all now living on the Gold Coast with the support of Cycling Australia, this facility will make for some banger sessions for their progression.”

FISE is currently hosting first ever digital stage of FISE Montpellier which is taking place 100% online through August and September!
​
E-FISE Montpellier is a and innovative online experience, enabling fans and athletes and fans to connect online.  ​

Aussies Logan Martin and Natalya Diehm are in the running - check out their runs below. 

VISIT THE E-FISE PLATFORM FOR MORE INFO

http://e-fise.com/en/montpellie

Australia's Freestyle BMX stars will continue their chase toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Rampfest Indoor Skate Park in Melbourne's inner west when it hosts the inaugural Oceania Freestyle BMX Championships from December 7-8. 

The weekend will include two Pro/Elite Competitions - the Oceania Championships and the Rampfest International C1.  Plus, amateur and junior competition classes for young riders to compete alongside the Pro’s.

Sydney's Brandon Loupos, who was crowned 2019 world champion earlier this month in China, will be in action along with 2017 world champion Logan Martin of the Gold Coast. 

“Winning the World Championships was a dream come true - it’s taken a bit to sink in, but I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve this.  And now, I can’t wait to come down to Melbourne and ride in front of a home crowd again," said Loupos, who is also the reigning Australian National Champion having won the inaugural title at Rampfest in November 2018. 

The women's field will be headlined by Queensland's Natalya Diehm who launched into contention for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after a stunning World Championship debut for Australia to finish sixth.

With Freestyle BMX included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for the first time, the Oceania Championships will be a key opportunity for top Australian athletes to earn critical qualification points for the games. 

Australia currently sits in second in the Olympic Points Rankings to the USA, with the top nation at the end of the qualification period (in May 2020) securing two athlete positions in the competition for Tokyo 2020.   

An incredible two days of competition is expected at Rampfest which will be open from 9am each day for anyone to come down and watch the action.

Entry for spectators is FREE.

Riders can enter the contest via the event website.

Details

• Event Date:  7-8 December 2019
• Location:  Rampfest Indoor Skate Park, 47-85 Hillary St, Braybrook VIC 3019
• Event Website:  rampfest.com.au

Brandon Loupos claimed the rainbow jersey, Logan Martin took silver, while Natalya Diehm moved Australia a step closer to Olympic qualification, in a dominant display by Australia in the BMX Freestyle finals at the 2019 Urban Cycling World Championships in China on Sunday. 

"It (rainbow jersey) has been my phone background for 365 days, now it is on my chest, I can't believe it. I am absolutely speechless," said Loupos, the 2018 World Championship bronze medallist. 

"It just shows you dreams can come true if you put your mind and heart to it and you just go for it."

Loupos, 26, began Sunday's final in unfortunate circumstances, crashing on a backflip attempt in his first run. However, in a stunning second run, Loupos shot to the top of the leaderboard with a double backflip, flair whip, a 1080, a 720 into a double whip transfer and cash roll, before ending with a five flair scoring 93.20 points. 

"I can't believe what is going on right now, especially after crashing in my first run. I was thinking about whether I should change my run or stay consistent for my second run," Loupos said. "But I said stick to the plan, went out there and just charged. 

"I put everything into God's hands, I asked the Lord to give me the strength to get through the second run. Thank you to the man above watching over me, not for giving me the world title, but for allowing me to finish my run fit and healthy and be able to ride again tomorrow."

'sSydney's Loupos opened the 2019 season in stunning style by recording the highest score ever recorded at a World Cup at the first round in Japan in April. In September, he claimed gold at the inaugural Urban Games in Hungary. 

"I couldn't be happier. So stoked to be standing here right now, stoked to be Australian and representing Australia," said Loupos, who is targeting a spot on the Australian team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where the discipline will make its Olympic debut.
 
"My goal is to represent my country, I feel just being there (Tokyo) would be winning, but I want to go there and not just get a medal, but win a gold medal for my country."

2017 world champion Logan Martin scored 92.90 in a clean first run to sit just behind his teammate in second. But Queensland's Martin was felled by a flat tyre in his second run, the final run of the day, which sealed the world title for Loupos. 

"I was feeling good all weekend, and during practice today I also got a flat so I had to regain my composure, get my wheel fixed and back into the zone and do the run I had planned,"said Martin, 25, the dual 2019 X Games gold medallist who also finished the 2019 FISE World Series in second overall. "I did that and it got me into second place, but in my second run, I, unfortunately, got another flat.  

"But congratulations to Brandon, it was a great result for Australia."

Queensland's Natalya Diehm, 22, launched Australia into contention for the women's competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after a stunning World Championship debut for Australia.

Diehm, finished sixth in the BMX Park Final to move Australia closer to securing a position at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

"My first run didn't go as planned, but I did my best in my second run, even though I was trying to play it safe," Diehm, who took out the 2019 Vans BMX Pro-Skate Park Series in her first international season.

Only nine women will get to contest the Freestyle competition in Tokyo, which will be comprised of two riders from the top-ranked nation, one rider from each nation ranked second to fifth, and one rider from host nation Japan. The final two spots will go to the next two best countries outside the top five at the end of qualifying in May.

"I am super happy for myself, and everyone here, and I hope this means we get a spot at the Tokyo Olympics," added Diehm.

​Martin, Loupos and Diehm will head back to Australia where they will contest the Oceania Championships in Melbourne followed by the 2019 Cycling Australia National Championships in Brisbane this December.

Australia's Logan Martin has finished second overall in the 2019 BMX Freestyle Park World Cup Series. 

The third and final round of the International Festival of Extreme Sports (FISE) World Series in Chengdu, China was cancelled due to heavy rain prior to the men's final.

With no final being held, Nakumara topped the final podium due to his semi-final score of 93.20 points, with Martin taking fourth. 

Nakumara also took the victory in the overall standings with 26.200 points, followed by 2017 world champion Martin on 24.100 and reigning world champion Justin Dowell (USA) on 23.400.

"Not a bad results with Worlds next week, I will go there and do my best there as well." said Martin. 

Martin will now switch his focus to the 2019 BMX Freestyle World Championships also to be held in Chengdu, China from November 6-10. 

The Australian Team is headlined by 2017 world champion Martin and 2018 World Championship bronze medallist Brandon Loupos.

Jake Wallwork, who finished just off the podium at the 2018 World Championships, will also line up.

Jason Watts and Natalya Diehm will make their Australian Team debuts off the back of winning the 2019 Vans BMX Pro-Skate Park Series. 

2019 World Championships

The 2019 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships will take place in Chengdu, China, from 6-10 November 2019. 

Website → www.urbanworlds.cn 
Results → https://www.uci.org/bmx-freestyle/events/uci-urban-cycling-world-championships 

ELITE MEN

• Logan Martin - Gold Coast: 2017 World Champion; Current leader - 2019 FISE World Cup Standings; Dual gold - 2019 Summer X Games; 2nd - 2019 Urban World Games
• Brandon Loupos - Sydney: Gold - 2019 Urban Games winner; Bronze - 2018 World Championships; Gold - 2019 World Cup Round 1,  2018 National Champion
• Jake Wallwork - Melbourne: Gold -2018 World Cup Round 3; 4th - 2018 World Championships: 3rd - 2018 National Championships 
• Jason Watts - Melbourne:  2019 Vans BMX Pro-Skate Park Series: 2nd - 2018 National Championships. 

ELITE WOMEN

• Natalya Diehm - Gladstone: Winner - 2019 Vans BMX Pro-Skate Park Series; 9th/13th 2019 World Cups

Follow the Australian Cycling Team - Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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)

Roaring into the finals with the best semi final score, a bout of food poisoning the morning of the finals halted the Logan Martin run at the top spot at the second round of the BMX Freestyle World Cup competition in Montpellier. 

19-year-old American Justin Dowdell (91.20 points) took the win, Martin scoring 89.6 points on his first final run, before calling off his second early.  It was the second straight bronze for the Gold Coast cyclist who now leads the World Cup rankings after two rounds. 

​"Qualified first going into finals, got a bit of food poisoning the morning of finals but came pretty good come time to ride, just lacked a bit of energy," Martin told his fans via social media. "Ended up taking third place which also means I’m sitting in first overall leading into China so I’m pumped on!!

"Can’t really complain with third but definitely felt better on my bike the previous few days! I had a lot more to do but couldn’t make it happen this time around, looking forward to the last stop in China later in the year!"

Brandon Loupos, who took the gold in the World Cup's opening round in Japan in May, landed heavily on the second jump of his first final run which ended his run, before pulling off a series of spectacular tricks including a double back flip in his second run to score 72.40 points which placed him ninth.

The third round of the 2019 BMX Freestyle World Cup will be held in China in November, just ahead of the World Championships also in China. 

Australian Cycling Team athletes Logan Martin and Brandon Loupos are primed ahead of the start of the 2019 UCI World Cup season which gets underway in Japan on April 19.

An epic 2019 World Cup season includes stops in Japan, France and China, sandwiching a host of international C1 events including the lucrative X Games, before wrapping up with the World Championships in November.

Sydney's Loupos is looking to replicate his 2018 form which saw him bookend the year with career-best performances including gold in Japan's opening World Cup round before storming to bronze at the World Championships in November.

"2018 was definitely a great year for me and my best year so far in my BMX career," said Loupos who in unfortunate circumstances suffered a bike mechanical in round two and had his bike stolen just three hours before the final in round three. "But I'm looking forward to what the rest of 2019 has in store since I started the year off with three wins and keeping that momentum rolling will be key for 2019.

"My goal is obviously to win as that's what we're all there to do! It would be really cool to go back to Hiroshima, back up my win from last year and obviously start the World Cup series off strong!"

2017 world champion Martin opened 2018 with a broken collarbone which forced him to miss the opening round of the season. He recovered in time to contest the Series' second round in May where he finished second, before storming to a third-round win in July and gold in the BMX Park Final at the X-Games in the USA later that month. unfortunately, Martin broke his ankle in October, which meant he was unable to defend his world title. 

"2018 was a roller coaster for sure, a few injuries throughout but also a few very high points in my career," said Gold Coast's Martin, who has no plans to play it safe in the adrenaline-filled discipline despite his run of injuries. 

"My 2019 goals are to achieve more of these big wins, however with fewer injuries. 

"But my goal is always to ride to the best of my ability at any event. Staying on my bike through my runs are always a large part of my focus but also not to play it too safe."

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

"While it is still a new discipline to UCI cycling, I am amazed by the work ethic shown by our Australian Cycling Team members, not only in their own development but the progression of the sport," Bootes said. "It is a pleasure working with such talented and committed athletes with a growth mindset towards performance."

2019 BMX Freestyle Season 

Three rounds will take place in April, May and October in Japan, France and China, before the 2019 Urban World Championships wrap up the season in China in November. 

• 19-21 April: Round 1 - Hiroshima, Japan
• 29 May - 2 June: Round 2 - Montpellier, France
• 31 Oct - 3 Nov: Round 3 - Chengdu, China
• 6 Nov - 10 Nov: Urban World Championships-  Chengdu, China

More at the UCI website.

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.”

What was your favourite cycling moment in 2018?

There were so many incredible moments for Australian cycling in 2018 it was difficult to narrow it down, but we have twelve amazing moments which make up our 2018 JLT Australian Cycling Moment of the Year.  

The Australian Cycling team figures prominently in the list via Rohan Dennis, Alistair Donohoe, Matthew Glaetzer and Luke Plapp's world titles, Steph Morton's triple gold at the Commonwealth Games, our team pursuit's stunning 3:49.804 ride at the Commonwealth Games, Logan Martin’s BMX-factor at the FISE World Series, and Amanda Spratt's stellar silver at the UCI Road Worlds!

Choose your favourite moment via the survey and you could be celebrating another fantastic year at the 2018 Cycling Australia Awards in Melbourne on Friday 23 November.  

Terms & Conditions 

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

Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the BMX Freestyle selections for the Australian team which will contest the 2018 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in China in November.

BMX ‘Freestyle Park’, which will make its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,  sees cyclists perform a series of tricks during their ‘1 minute run’ across a ramp-filled course. Riders’ tricks are judged based on difficulty, originality, style and execution.

The Australian team in China will be headlined by the Gold Coast’s Logan Martin who claimed the first-ever rainbow jersey on offer in the discipline in 2017.

2018 began ominously for Martin following a training crash in March which broke his collarbone in four places and forced him to miss the opening round of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup.   

Martin recovered in time to contest the Series’ second round in May where he finished second, before storming to a third-round win in July and gold in the BMX Park Final at the X-Games in the USA later that month.  

“I’m stoked to have another opportunity to ride the UCI World Championship again this year and represent Australia,” said Martin, who currently sits fourth overall on the World Cup standings.  “To have won the first-ever UCI BMX Freestyle World Championship last year was mind-blowing to me and I will most definitely be going for the gold medal again this year.

“I have had a rough start to the year, but my main focus was to get back to full strength leading into July’s World Cup and X-Games in which I won both Park events.

“It has been a much better start to the second half, and I’m feeling really good and strong on my bike. I’m looking forward to the next few events and to finish off the year strongly.”

Brandon Loupos celebrated victory in the opening round of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup, however, in unfortunate circumstances, the Sydney rider suffered a bike mechanical in round two and had his bike stolen just three hours before the final in round three.

The Gold Coast’s Kyle Baldock and Melbourne's Jake Wallwork round out the selections.

The 2018 UCI Urban Cycling Worlds Championships will take place in Chengdu, China, from 7-11 November 2018. More → www.urbanworlds.cn

Follow the Australian Cycling Team - Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Australian Team - 2018 UCI Urban Cycling Worlds Championships

• Logan Martin - 24 - Gold Coast, QLD 2017 - World Champion; 2018 - 1st Canada World Cup, 1st X-Games, 2nd France World Cup - Currently 4th in World Cup series; Won Nitro Games Park & second X-Games Dirt
• Brandon Loupos - 25 - Engadine (Sydney), NSW 2018 - 1st Japan World Cup, 7th X-Games, 12th Canada World Cup, 23rd France World Cup - currently 6th in World Cup series, won X-Games Dirt; 2017 - 10th World Championships
• Kyle Baldock - 27 - Gold Coast, QLD 2018 - 3rd X-Games, 14th Japan World Cup, 19th France World Cup, Currently 24th in World Cup series; 5th X-Games Dirt; 2017 - 21st World Championships
• Jake Wallwork - 24 - Kilmore (Melbourne), VIC 2018 - 23rd Canada World Cup - Currently 38th in World Cup Series; 2017 - 19th World Championships

​

Reigning world champion Logan Martin stormed to win round three of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup in Edmonton. 

Despite inclement weather forcing the qualifying and semi-final rounds to the same day, Martin was not fazed as he qualified in second on Saturday. 

In Sunday's final, Martin was left in fifth overall after suffering a flat tyre during his first run. However, following a quick tyre change, he came back to shred his final run with a sensational 95.00 and take the win ahead of Marin Ranteš and Dennis Enarson. 

“It was great to be back in Canada for the third stop of the FISE World Series," said Martin. "The weather played a bit of a factor during qualifying and semis, so my plan was to just stay on my bike and get through the Saturday and focus on Sunday's finals.

"I felt confident going into finals. In my first run, I cased and this caused me to finish the rest of my run with a flat tyre, but after a quick tyre fix, I was ready for my second run.

"At that moment, I felt some pressure because I had only this run left to do exactly what was needed to find the podium. 

"But I kept calm and focused on what I needed to do to win. I managed to do exactly what I wanted to do and scored a 95 finishing the contest in first."​

The win continues Martin's strong comeback after he missed April's opening round in China following a training crash that broke his collar bone in four places.  His comeback race came in the Series' second round in France in May where he grabbed second place. 
 
Martin is eyeing Olympic glory following the IOC's decision to add BMX Freestyle to the programme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
 
Visit www.fise.fr or follow FISE for all the World Cup updates.

Australia is celebrating its newest world champion with Brisbane's Logan Martin crowned the inaugural BMX Freestyle world champion at the 2017 UCI Urban World Championships on Sunday. Results
 
"Its amazing to win the first one (rainbow jersey) on offer in the discipline," said Martin, the 2015 and 2016 World Series champion who last week secured second overall for the 2017 season.
 
"It wasn't a bad season for me in 2017, I did get a lot of seconds, but to finish off the year here with a first  at the world championship, it is unbelievable."
 
BMX Freestyle is an exhilarating form of cycling which sees riders perform a series of tricks during a number of ‘runs’ (in qualifying, semi finals and finals) on a ramp-filled course with points awarded based on difficulty, originality, style and execution. (UCI History of BMX Freestyle).
 
On Saturday, Martin finished on top of the semi finals with an average of 91.71 points across two blazing semi final runs.
 
On Sunday, he went even better with two almost flawless 93-plus point rides to take the rainbow jersey.
 
"Every time I ride the event, it is based on consistency, they really crack down on putting a foot down or crashing, so my goal is to stay on my bike whenI come into a contest and I did that today so I am stoked," Martin said.
 
"For both my runs today, I did exactly what I planned to do. You can't put those feelings into words when everything you plan and work hard for pays off like this.
 
"This is an insane feeling."
 
Martin's win is a perfect start to his run at a spot on the Australian team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games following the IOC's decision to add the sport to the program.
 
"I can’t wait til Tokyo," Martin added. "I will certainly be putting in the work to hopefully be there in 2020.
 
"Like it was this week with the Australian team, it is such a great feeling to represent your country."
 
Sydney's Brandon Loupos, who finished second behind Martin in Saturday's semi finals, finished in tenth overall.
 
Loupos looked strong in his opening run with the fourth best score, but his chance at a podium finish was hampered following an injury to his shoulder after a crash in his second run.