Alexis Alden and Tommy Bruney Earn Bronze Medals at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships

The 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships were challenged with weather forcing major changes and delays to the final day of competition. 

As strong winds swept through the venue, the UCI made the call to alter the track for racing, saying:

“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regrets to announce that, due to strong winds at the venue and in the interest of rider safety, the competition format for the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, has been modified. Following an assessment of the prevailing conditions, it has been determined that competition will proceed using a modified course configuration. Racing will start from the 5-metre start hill. The pro section will not be used on the second straight, however, it will remain in use on the third straight. The competition schedule will continue as planned under this modified format unless further changes become necessary due to weather conditions. Any additional updates will be communicated through official UCI channels. The UCI thanks all athletes, teams, officials and spectators for their understanding and cooperation. The safety of riders, officials, volunteers and spectators remains the UCI's highest priority.”

As the day went on, conditions continued to worsen, and the UCI released the following statement:

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regrets to announce that, due to persistent strong winds at the venue and in the interest of rider safety, the finals of the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, have been cancelled. Following repeated assessments of the prevailing weather conditions, it was determined that safe racing could not be conducted within the available competition window. The decision was taken with the support of the UCI Athletes' Commission representative on site, the National Federation Team Managers, and the Local Organising Committee.

In accordance with the UCI Regulations (article 6.1.038 bis), if a UCI BMX Racing World Championships competition is cancelled prior to the final, for each concerned category, the results of the phase reached, and within that phase, the last completed round will be declared the final results. Accordingly, the final classifications are established based on the completed racing on Saturday 18 July.”

Twelve of the fourteen Americans had advanced to the final day of racing, winning their heats and showing impressive rides in the qualifying rounds. Before racing was called off, the Elite Men had raced through the eighth-finals, Elite Women and Under-23 riders had completed their First Rounds and Last Chance Qualifiers, and the Juniors had reached the quarter-finals. 

In the end, Alexis Alden (Peachtree City, Ga.; Albe’s Bike Shop) earned the bronze medal in the U23 Women’s class, and Tommy Bruney (Pittsburgh, Penn.; Factory Full Tilt/ RIFT) also scored bronze in the Junior Men’s class.

The finals results are as follows:

1. Jesse Asmus (AUS)

2. Ross Cullen (GBR)

3. Mathis Ragot Richard (FRA)

10. Cameron Wood (USA)

13. Kamren Larsen (USA)

39. Drew Polk (USA)

1. Bethany Schriever (GBR)

2. Saya Sakakibara (AUS)

3. Laura Smulders (NED)

8. Daleny Vaughn (USA)

20. Payton Ridenour (USA)

1. Joshua Jolly (AUS)

2. Jesse De Veer (NED)

3. Clement Rocherieux (FRA)

29. Cutter Williams (USA)

32. Sean Day (USA)

1. Renske Van Santvoort (NED)

2. Veronika Sturiska (LAT)

3. Alexis Alden (USA)

1. Lucas Zhou (CAN)

2. Cameron Gatt (AUS)

3. Tommy Bruney (USA)

5. Evan Esposito (USA)

7. Cutter Godaire (USA)

1. Freia Challis (GBR)

2. Elsa Rendall Todd (GBR)

3. Isla Basa (AUS)

5. Derin Merten (USA)

13. Preslie Gould (USA)

20. Addison Thompson (USA)

Full Results

USA Cycling’s participation in the World Championships is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. To support the USA Cycling National Team, members can donate to the USA Cycling Foundation here.