Ten New Zealand riders will line-up for the opening double rounds of the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Sarrians, France at the weekend.
The UCI has announced this week that the 2026 season will comprise five double rounds, adding two double rounds in China to the schedule, with the World Cup also offering Olympic qualifying points.
Sarrians, perched in the south of France between Monaco and Andorra, was the opening venue for last year’s championship series, with Paris Olympians and current national champions Leila Walker and Rico Bearman heading the kiwi squad racing this weekend.
Last year’s junior world champion, Lily Greenough, returns from injury, to compete in the under-23 category with Te Awamutu rider Brooke Penny.
The Greenough family from Cambridge are competing in force this weekend with elder brother Bennett racing elite and last year’s finalist Jack in under-23.
The North Harbour club pair of Bearman and French-based professional Michael Bias will be contenders in elite men, with Walker, a finalist at Sarrians last year, to be joined by Rotorua’s Megan Williams in elite females.
Christchurch’s Jesse Green is the sole South Island rider competing, racing under-23 alongside the Cambridge pairing of Finn Cogan and Jack Greenough, with plenty of competition for the single qualifying spot for July’s world championships.
The World Cup moves to a double round in Papendal (Netherlands) next weekend with a break before Brisbane hosts the BMX Racing World Championships in mid-July.
China will host two double rounds in Beijing and Chongli in early October ahead of the final two rounds at Sarasota in Florida USA.
The elimination rounds will be televised live on UCI You Tube.
Jack Greenough in practice this week at Sarrians, France for the opening rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup. (Credit: Cole McOnie)