BMX Racing World Championships Rock Hill: Preview, Schedule and how to watch

Who are the riders to watch at Rock Hill?

The World Championships are considered the hardest race of the year. Fortunately, riders have had the whole World Cup season to prepare for this weekend.

In the women’s field, all eyes will be on Australia’s Sakakibara, who is the woman to beat. She defended her 2023 Overall World Cup title in Tulsa with a remarkable total of four World Cup wins and two second-place finishes. She comes into Rock Hill as the UCI points leader and most dominant women’s rider.

Of course, also look for Great Britain’s Shriever, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and defending UCI World Championships winner.

In the men’s field again, expect big things from France’s powerhouse of BMX racing. UCI points leader Romain Mahieu has already documented ongoing practice sessions on the Rock Hill track where he will be looking to defend his 2023 World Championship title, and second-place points holder Joris Daudet appears to have recovered from an earlier collarbone injury and is back on his bike according to his Instagram posts.

Beyond France, Colombia enters with a strong field, including Diego Arboleda and two-time Olympic bronze medallist Carlos Ramirez.

Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Niek Kimmann from the Netherlands will also be looking to keep his World Cup momentum going following two first-place finishes in Tulsa. Australia’s Izaac Kennedy will be another threat, having chased Kimmann over the finish line with two consecutive silvers.