(Photo UCI)
Switzerland’s Loris Aeberhard raced away with a double at the UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Papendal.
Round three provided plenty of upsets, among them the elimination of reigning Men Elite UCI World Champion Arthur Pilard of France. Fellow French riders Eddy Clerté, Jérémy Rencurel and Léo Garoyan also exited at the same stage, underlining the exceptionally competitive nature of the field.
After looking confident throughout the day, and controlling his semi-final, Aeberhard produced a commanding performance in the final to take his first victory at this level.
Home Dutch rider Jaymio Brink – who took victory in the opening round in Sarrians, France – demonstrated exceptional race craft, advancing through the field to finish second. A photo finish was required to separate the USA’s Cameron Wood and Tim Goossens of the Netherlands in the battle for third, with the American prevailing by just 0.003 seconds.
The Women Elite semi-finals were won by reigning UCI World Champion Bethany Shriever of Great Britain and overall series leader Molly Simpson of Canada, setting up an exciting prospect for the final. However, it was Laura Smulders of the Netherlands, starting from lane 6, who produced an outstanding start and controlled the final from the front to claim her 29th in the UCI World Cup title in front of Simpson and Shriever.
Victory in the Men Under-23 category went to France’s Mathis Jacquet ahead of Jesse de Veer of the Netherlands and UCI World Cup leader Clément Rocherieux of France.
The Women Under 23 final saw semi-final winners Freia Challis of Great Britain and Renske Van Santvoort of the Netherlands unable to live up to expectations. Instead, Czech Sabina Košárková delivered an emotional victory, ahead of American Alexis Alden and Lissi van Schijndel of the Netherlands, who came in third to claim her first UCI World Cup podium.
Round Four also belonged to Loris Aeberhard who used the inside lane to grab the holeshot in the Men Elite final. The Dutch were hoping Jaymio Brink could overtake, but again had to settle for second behind the Swiss athlete. After his early elimination the previous day, Eddy Clerté was delighted to finished third.
Bethany Shriever put it together to take victory in the Women Elite final. It was a confidence boost for the British rider who will be defending her rainbow jersey in Brisbane, Australia, next month. Australian Saya Sakakibara finished second, while Molly Simpson continued her string of strong performances to take third place.
In the Men Under 23 final, Australia’s Joshua Jolly led from start to finish to take the win, followed by two Swiss athletes, Mark Lüthi and Seal Nünlist.
Renske Van Santvoort, winner of round two in the Women Under 23 category, took another victory, this time in front of her family and friends. Lilly Greenough of New Zealand finished second, followed by the previous day’s winner Sabina Košárková.
Athletes will now head to Brisbane, Australia, for the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships, taking place on 18-19 July.
