#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.
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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
World Cup standings - after Round 4:
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. ​ WATCH THE ACTION FROM PAPENDAL
Photo - UCI BMX Supercross Facebook
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."
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
More details at the UCI website: https://www.uci.org/bmx-racing/events/uci-bmx-supercross-world-cup ​​​ 
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
PHOTOS Photo - Craig Dutton Australian teenager Saya Sakakibara is celebrating after claiming the win in the final UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, which also secured second overall for the Wollongong cyclist on the year-end international rankings. “I am so over the moon,” said Sakakibara, 19. “I am so incredibly grateful for my support, and for the Australian Cycling Team for supporting me all the way and giving me the opportunity to race each round this year, especially when I contested no World Cups last year." Round 8 FInalSantiago del Estero, Argentina, hosted the final two rounds of the season, with Sakakibara lucky to escape with just scrapes and bruises after spectacularly crashing out of the Round 7 semi-final on Saturday when a rider crashed and took her wheels from under her. Recovering in time for Sunday’s eighth and final round, Sakakibara lead from the gate, and with former world champion Alise Willoughby (USA) and reigning world champion Laura Smulders (Netherlands) breathing down her neck, she surged to the victory with judges awarding the win to the Australian in a photo finish. “I did not expect that (win) especially after yesterday crash, I was kind of shaken up a little bit and little fearful coming into today. However, I got a good start and an excellent first straight, and I was able to make it work all the way to the finish line.” ROUND 7 SF CRASHSakakibara finished second behind world champion Laura Smulders (Netherlands) on the BMX Supercross rankings after a season that included one win and four podium appearances, in addition to claiming sixth in her first elite career World Championship final. “My aim this year was to gain as much experience as possible, and I did exactly that. I was able to get some wins and podiums along the way, I couldn’t be happier with this season,” said Sakakibara, who will now head back to Australia to continue preparations towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “I am really looking forward to getting back into the offseason, gaining strength, and hopefully I will come back faster and definitely will have more confidence heading into next season. “Every race is critical from now on in terms of Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020, and I will be aiming for the top, for the podium, all the way to the Olympics. “I am working so hard to making sure I am going to be there.” In the men’s finals, Rio Olympic finalist Anthony Dean took bronze in round eight. PHOTOSCopyright Craig Dutton 
Photo © Craig Dutton
Australia’s Saya Sakakibara claimed sixth in her first elite career World Championship final at the 2018 UCI BMX World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
An unfortunate incident in final saw the 18-year-old taken out by the bike of American Alise Willoughby who had crashed in front of her as the group made the second turn. Credibly, Sakakibara got back on her bike and finished the race to take sixth place behind the all Dutch podium of Laura Smulders, Merel Smulders and Judy Baauw. “I was coming about seventh and was able to do a really good move on the first corner and got myself into fifth but Alise (Willoughby) crashed in front of me and I ran into her bike,” Sakakibara explained. “That ended things for me but I came away with a sixth which is pretty awesome. “I was already happy just to be in the final. It’s all a learning experience for me so I’m stoked.”
In the men's, Anthony Dean finished ninth.
Photo @ Craig Dutton
 Photo © Craig Dutton The Australian Cycling Team has arrived in Azerbaijan for the 2018 UCI BMX (Supercross) World Championships with siblings Saya and Kai Sakakibara (NSW) and 2016 Olympic Games finalist Anthony Dean (SA) confident following their European and World Cup campaigns.
For Saya Sakakibara, her maiden season in the elite ranks has netted triple podium appearances from the first six rounds 2018 World Cup Series, in addition to gold and silver at the European Cup. “Definitely a great confidence booster coming into the World Championships,” Saya told Cycling Australia after her final training session in the Netherlands. “Heading into this season, being first year elite, I had no expectation of podiums, it was purely to learn and gain experience. “It's humbling to think I'm up there with the best in the world already competing for spots on the podium. “Although I may have a little more confidence, I just have to remember what mind set put me in that position in the first place and execute that exactly this weekend.” Kai Sakakibara, Australia’s leading male rider in ninth on the UCI rankings, has enjoyed a consistent season with three top ten placings in the European Cup, and two at the most recent rounds of the World Cup in May. “I came into season 2018 with strong expectations, but I have quickly learned it doesn’t get any easier, it is just as competitive as any other year,” said Kai, who with Saya, has based himself in Europe for much of 2018 to increase his exposure to racing. “It has been fantastic being around this European racing environment week in week out, in the training environment everyday. Getting this experience under my belt and doing the races leading into the Championships has been invaluable,” said Kai, who finished 2017 ranked ninth. “The fact that I have been able to maintain a high position in the rankings this season, to know I am consistently up there, definitely gives me confidence and a good chance of doing well at the Worlds as well.” At the six and most recent World Cup in Belgium two weeks ago, Anthony Dean found the podium and is aiming for the final this weekend. “(My) preparation has been really good leading into the World Championships, I have been down in San Diego getting lots of track time and work done, I’m excited and ready to go,” said Dean. “Coming off the podium just three weeks ago in Belgium gave me a good push and I’m excited, confident and looking forward to the opportunity to show what I can do come finals Saturday.” Reigning world champions Corben Sharrah (USA) and Alise Willoughby (USA), plus World Cup leaders Niek Kimmann (NED) and Laura Smulders (NED) will create a challenge the Australians in the battle for the rainbow jersey. The 2018 UCI BMX World Championships take place from 5-9 June in Baku, Azerbaijan. For more information, visit the official Baku2018 website or watch the live stream. Follow the Australian Cycling Team
Complete Australian Team for 2018 UCI BMX World Championships
For the third time in four 2018 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup rounds, Saya Sakakibara has found the podium with the NSW rider finished third at the fourth round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Series in Papendal, the Netherlands, this morning.
Only the might of reigning world champion Alise Willoughby and hometown hero Judy Baauw was enough to stop the 19-year old who is on her debut in the elite fields. With two bronze medals and a silver to start the 2018 World Cup series, Sakakibara sits comfortably in second place on the overall standings 450 points with ladder leader Laura Smulders only 100 points in front. “I came in today with the same sort of mindset from yesterday and that was just to have fun,” Sakakibara said. “In the final I was able to get into second place around the track and I kind of messed up the last straight which cost me, but I am really happy I finished third, it was an awesome weekend and I’ve learnt so much.”
Photo © UCI
Australian Cycling Team's Saya Sakakibara has opened the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup season with two podium appearances at the opening round in France.
Sakakibara grabbed bronze in round one and backed it up with silver in round two in on the Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines track.
“I am feeling very excited and so tired,” Sakakibara said post race. “I’ve had two big weekends of racing. But also two podiums from two world cups and that’s great, it’s very awesome.
“My start in the final today was a good one, and I was able to come from lane three to the inside of the track into third spot, then grabbed second at the first corner. I was catching Laura down the last straight and thought I might try for that first place spot, but I was a bit short. “I am extremely happy with that silver medal place!” |
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