No medals but plenty of promise at UCI BMX Urban World Championships

A blown tyre and individual brilliance from rival nations stood between Australia and the podium at the 2022 UCI BMX Urban World Championship over the weekend.

Four of Australia’s six riders qualified for the Elite Men’s Freestyle Park semi-finals, as Logan Martin, Brandon Loupos, Jake Wallworth and Alec Danelutti all progressed through to the round of 24.

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Martin and Loupos then posted solid scores on their way to the final, giving Australia a strong chance to secure a podium at this year’s World Championship.

However, Martin’s first run in the final ended early with a blown tyre, and despite putting together a dynamic second run, his score of 86.40 was only good enough for sixth. Loupos ended both runs early to finish 11th.

Japan's Rim Nakamura took home the gold medal, posting a score of 93.80.

🤯

Things are getting tougher and tougher here at #AbuDhabi2022.

Reigning World Champion Logan Martin blows a tyre. 🛞 pic.twitter.com/y076xmrGpq

— UCI BMX Freestyle (@UCI_BMX_FS) November 13, 2022

Sarah Nicki will take a great deal of experience from her debut World Championship. Up against the likes of Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Worthington and UCI World Number 1 Nikita Ducarroz, the 15-year-old performed admirably, finishing 22nd in the semi-finals. In hot conditions, the USA’s Hannah Roberts claimed her fourth women's BMX freestyle title.

Nathan Mummery missed the finals of the Elite Men 26” Trials after placing 19th in the semi-finals. The Queenslander was on the backfoot after posting 80 points on the first lap, and while he recovered to post 100+ points on the final two laps, it was not enough to qualify for the six-man final won by Jack Carthy of the UK.

Full results.

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Photos: Tyler Rizzi