The 2022 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships concluded with the BMX Freestyle Park Finals. Twelve men and twelve women competed in the finals, with three men and three women from Team USA making the big show.
Three-time World Champion Hannah Roberts (Buchanan, Mich.; Hyper BMX) headlined the women’s finals along with the rest of the Team USA women Perris Benegas (Reno, Nev.; Haro BMX) and Angie Marino (Buffalo, N.Y.; Cult Crew).
Roberts was on a huge run landing a double tail whip on the quarter but crashed trying to throw a front flip that she had already landed in practice. Roberts said, “It’s incredible. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. It’s an indescribable feeling. Obviously, that was the goal. I just wanted to come out and ride my best. I, unfortunately, fell in my first run and had to go to my back up run, but to take the win on that was an amazing feeling. I’m definitely excited for the rest of the season.
Benegas found her flow and had quite the run, with her classic big airs landing a score of 76.00. After a hard crash in practice last night after over-rotating on a backflip, Marino was back for redemption. She flowed through her line scoring a 75.00.
1. Hannah Roberts (USA) – 87.20
2. Nikita Ducarroz (SUI) – 84.70
3. Iveta Miculycova (CZE) – 83.20
7. Perris Benegas (USA) – 76.00
9. Angie Marino (USA) – 75.00
The men’s finals closed out the event, and the crowds were excited to see the insane runs, especially after the excitement from the women’s event. Justin Dowell (Virginia Beach, V.A.; Hyper BMX), Marcus Christopher (Canton, Ohio; DK Bicycles), and Daniel Sandoval (Corona, Calif.; Free Agent Bikes) were the three men representing Team USA.
Dowell has always been on top of his game at the World Championships. He won in 2018 and has been fourth twice, and was looking to be back on the podium again. 2022 was his year, and he laid down an incredible first run. He scored a 91.50 and was confident that would put him on the podium, but there were still a few more riders to drop.
Dowell finished the day with a silver medal and could not have been happier. “It feels great. It’s been a four-year hiatus of not making the podium, but I did get fourth twice in a row, so we’ve been right there. I’ve been putting in some time in the off-season and worked on things that needed to be done, and here I am. Hopefully, I’ll get the top spot again!”
For 19-year-old Christopher, this was his first year competing internationally and his first time at the World Championships. He had found his flow throughout the week in qualifying and the semi-finals, and it was a thrill to make it to finals day. He crashed in his first run but redeemed himself in his second run of the day, absolutely nailing every trick he set out to do. He scored 90.26, putting him in fourth place.
Sandoval had some big tricks on his list that he tried to nail down in practice. Unfortunately, after two runs going absolutely all out, he crashed in both runs attempting a double flair on the quarter pipe.
1. Rim Nakamura (JPN) – 93.80
2. Justin Dowell (USA) – 91.50
3. Anthony Jeanjean (FRA) – 91.20
4. Marcus Christopher (USA) – 90.26
12. Daniel Sandoval (USA) – 50.40
