Laura Smulders
The 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup opened a new chapter in the history of the discipline. For the first time, the world’s best riders came together in China, in Mentougou, Beijing for the 5th and 6th rounds of the series.
The races were held at the brand-new National BMX Sports Base in Mentougou, which will also host the 2026 UCI Pump Track World Championships later this month.
For Laura Smulders of the Netherlands, the 5th round was one to remember. The Dutch rider delivered a masterful ride to win the Women Elite final ahead of reigning UCI World Champion Bethany Shriever of Great Britain and Sienna Pal of Australia, claiming her 30th UCI BMX Racing World Cup victory – yet another milestone in a remarkable international career.
Smulders had arrived in China third in the overall UCI World Cup standings, having claimed her 29th victory in Papendal earlier in the season. With Australian Saya Sakakibara absent through injury, the Elite Women victory was there for the taking, with Molly Simpson of Canada, Shriever and Zoé Claessens of Switzerland among those ready to seize the opportunity.
Claessens hit back the very next day, taking victory in round 6 ahead of Simpson, with Smulders completing the podium. Shriever finished fourth and Leila Walker of New Zealand fifth.
A new Elite winner
Arthur Pilard of France got the weekend underway by winning the Men Elite final in round 5, ahead of compatriot Evan Oliviera. Behind them, Joshua Jolly of Australia took third place in his first UCI World Cup appearance in the Elite category.
The following day, the Australian took things to another level. In a fiercely contested round 6 final, he crossed the line first in 31.470 seconds, 0.051 seconds ahead of Jérémy Rencurel of France. Filib Steiner of Switzerland took third place, ahead of UCI World Cup leader Jaymio Brink of the Netherlands. It was Jolly’s first Elite victory.
French strength in Men Under 23
The Men Under 23 category once again underlined the depth of French BMX Racing. Clément Rocherieux of France won round 5 ahead of compatriot Matteo Faure, with Alexandre Emmel of Switzerland completing the podium. The following day, Mathis Jacquet of France took victory ahead of Rocherieux, with Mark Lüthi of Switzerland in third. France placed four athletes in the top 8 across both days.
A double for Challis
In the Women Under 23 category, Freia Challis of Great Britain won both Mentougou rounds. She finished ahead of Maya Savina in round 5, then Lily Greenough of New Zealand in round 6. Already having won one round earlier this season, the British rider has firmly established herself among the best in the category.
