Olympian Leila Walker led the kiwis on a challenging opening weekend in Sarrians, France to start the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup.
The national champion was the only New Zealand rider to make the semifinals in the second round of the championship double-header but it was a case of déjà vu for Walker who was edged out in Saturday’s semifinal also.
The Cambridge rider qualified third and was third in her quarterfinal but missed the snap out of the gate from the difficult middle lane in her semifinal. The leaders stretched out in a super-fast semifinal, and Walker had no chance to close the gap, finishing seventh to miss out on the final.
Of the other kiwi riders, Brooke Penny (Te Awamutu) went out in the quarterfinals in junior women, with junior world champion Lily Greenough sidelined after a crash on the first round.
The under-23 men’s trio went out in the first round of match racing, as did elites Rico Bearman and Michael Bias.
Rotorua’s Megan Williams qualified in the last chance repechage in elite women, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals, while Walker qualified third, and placed third in her quarterfinal.
The New Zealand riders will regroup for the double-header world series rounds in Papendal, Netherlands this weekend.
Cambridge rider Leila Walker in action at Sarrians, France. (Credit: Cole McOnie Photos)