Kamren Larsen and Payton Ridenour Win 2026 Elite BMX National Championships

In the closest finish of the evening, the Elite Men’s race came down to Kamren Larsen (Charlotte, N.C.; Answer) and Drew Polk (Avon, Ind.; Syndyt/LSG), with Larsen edging Polk at the line by half a bike length to claim the national title. Payton Ridenour (Tulsa, Okla.; Chase/BRGStore.com/Tioga) put on a dominant ride in the Elite Women’s race, taking the early lead and continuing to open the gap on the chasers to secure the win.

Elite Men’s Results:

1. Kamren Larsen (Charlotte, N.C.; Answer)

2. Drew Polk (Avon, Ind.; Syndyt/LSG)

3. Rayne Lankford (Houston, Texas; Syndyt/Zenith Racing Group)

Elite Women's Results:

1. Payton Ridenour (Tulsa, Okla.; Chase/BRGStore.com/Tioga)

2. Carly Kane (Guilford, Ind.; Huffy/Bell Helmets/Promax/Box)

3. Lexis Colby (Surprise, Ariz.; Supercross BMX)

Racing was intense in the U23 Men’s main event as Sean Day (Tacoma, Wash.; Cycle Therapy Racing) grabbed the holeshot. Deegan Brown (San Jose, Calif.; Supercross BMX) looked poised to make a move on the third straight heading into the final corner, but a crash ended his race and left Day to ride in for the win.

In the U23 Women’s event, Alexis Alden (Peachtree City, Ga.; Albe’s/Zeronine/Box) reached the bottom of the start hill first, with Rita Fedewa (Fort Collins, Colo.; Impact BMX) chasing in second. Alden held the lead the rest of the way to win the Stars and Stripes.

U23 Men’s Results:

1. Sean Day (Tacoma, Wash.; Cycle Therapy Racing)

2. Tyler Henry (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; Clayborn Bicycles)

3. James Williams (Sterling, Va.; Rift/Tangent)

U23 Women's Results:

1. Alexis Alden (Peachtree City, Ga.; Albe’s/Zeronine/Box)

2. Rita Fedewa (Fort Collins, Colo.; Impact BMX)

3. Riley Jordan (Middleburg, Fla.; Power FX Speedco)

The Junior Men’s race started fast, with riders battling for position early. A crash entering the second straight split the field, leaving Tommy Bruney (Pittsburgh, Penn.; Fulltilt/Rift), Evan Esposito (Palm Springs, Fla.; Albe’s/Zeronine/Box), and Christopher Felker (Rock Hill, S.C.; Rift/Tangent) to battle for the win. Bruney held the lead through the final corner to take the national title. In the Junior Women’s race, reigning champion Derin Merten (Tempe, Ariz.; Race Inc.) continued her dominant form, winning all three motos before getting a perfect start in the main event and holding the lead to the line.

Junior Men’s Results:

1. Tommy Bruney (Pittsburgh, Penn.; Fulltilt/Rift)

2. Evan Esposito (Palm Springs, Fla.; Albe’s/Zeronine/Box)

3. Christopher Felker (Rock Hill, S.C.; Rift/Tangent)

Junior Women's Results:

1. Derin Merten (Tempe, Ariz.; Race Inc/Seven/Box/Promax/ODI/6D)

2. Addison Thompson (Belgrade, Mont.; BMX Sharks)

3. Sadie Herrera (Acworth, Ga.; Fulltilt Rift)

Full results for the 2026 USA Cycling Elite BMX National Championships can be found here.

Watch the replay on FloBikes.