Paris Olympian Rico Bearman has claimed his first UCI BMX Racing Elite World Cup title in Papendal, Netherlands today.

It was the first elite men’s BMX Racing World Cup victory for a New Zealand rider since Marc Willers in 2011 in London.

It capped a strong day for kiwi riders with Cambridge teenager Lily Greenough claiming her second successive podium in the under-23 women with third place in the final, following her third placing in Sarrians, France last weekend.

Bearman won his first round, second round and quarterfinal with the fastest time overall. He impressed winning his semifinal to earn the No 1 gate for the final.

He missed the snap out of the gate in the final, pushing up on the inside behind the leaders approaching the final turn. Australian Isaac Kennedy crashed while leading, forcing co-leaders high on the turn to avoid the carnage. It opened a gap for Bearman to speed through underneath, and from there he sped home to claim the win.

“I have known the speed is there but was getting frustrated because I have not been able to execute on race day. But what a way to bounce back this weekend,” said Bearman.

“I won all my laps leading up to the final and lane one for the final. I didn’t have the best start but stuck in there. Things happened in front of me that gave me the chance to win but you have to be in the spot to win and I was. I was on-form all day so it was special.”

Bearman said his preparations had gone well but he could not find his usual rhythm last weekend in the double UCI World Cup rounds in France.

“This weekend I came with a bit of anger and I wanted to do well for myself, not for anyone else. I really wanted it today and it happened.”

He will now reset for the fourth round of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup at Papendal tomorrow.

Meanwhile Cambridge 17-year-old Lily Greenough picked up where she left off to claim her second successive podium in the under-23 women.

She won her first round and quarterfinal before finishing second the semifinal behind last week’s double-round winner, Michelle Wissing (NED). Greenough was fourth at the first turn before pushing through to third and holding off the charge from behind for third behind Wissing and fellow Dutchwoman, Renske van Santfoort.

In her maiden World Cup season, Greenough is third overall in the standings.

Her older brother Jack Greenough qualified through the first and second rounds in under-23 men, but was edged out by just 0.2s chasing a spot in the quarterfinals.

Teammate Finn Cogan (Cambridge) won his first round heat but was sixth to be eliminated in the next round, while compatriots Cooper Richardson and Nick Cowie went out in the Last Chance round.

In other elite racing, North Harbour’s Michael Bias was impressive to place third in his first round, and scored an outstanding win the second round from gate five. However he went out finishing sixth in a tight finish to his quarterfinal in a strong showing.

In the women’s elite, Leila Walker (Cambridge) went out in the quarterfinals where she was one spot from a place in the semifinals, while Megan Williams (Rotorua) was eliminated in the Last Chance round.

The fourth round of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup is at the same venue in Papendal before a break leading to the world championships in Copenhagen late next month.