60+ Mens Moto 1 race 75 competitor from NT, Brad Bellette and competitor from Tasmania, Graham Rogers.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Riders from across the length and breadth of Australia descended on Shepparton BMX Track on day one of the long-awaited event.
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Competitors of all ages, from age eight through to the over 60s, are slated to take to the track over the competition between April 13-19, with the grand Opening Ceremony having taken place on April 16.
Elite, Masters, Junior, Para, and Challenge class races are all in the diary for the event, which is one of the standout occasions on the BMX racing calendar in the country.
The event have a long-term legacy in Shepparton too, having provided the springboard for the city to have been awarded hosting rights for the upcoming UCI BMX Racing World Cup in the lead up to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Some 2000 athletes from across the land down under will take part in the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships this year, with the schedule involving races in Mini Wheelers, Cruiser, and high-performance Superclass categories.
In addition, thousands of visitors are expected to take their seats at the Shepparton BMX Track to cheer on participants such as local-born defending Elite Men’s champion Hayden Fletcher, who is looking to retain his crown this time out.
Speaking ahead of the event, his pride at seeing his hometown put on a spectacle of this magniture was palpable.
“I’m excited to go racing again: eight of us on the gate for 32 seconds around the track,” Fletcher said.
“I’m sure the winner will be happy and all seven of us blokes will shake hands and celebrate together.”
Moreover, Women’s Elite reigning victor Saya Sakakibara is also looking to build on her successes in recent years, having come away with gold at three World Cups as well as the Olympics in 2024 in Paris, as dignitaries such as Fletcher watched on at the launch.
“It’s always really good competition. The next generation of girls coming through the elite ranks has so much talent coming through,” Sakakibara said.
“At a national level, this is the biggest race of the year. Coming back to race is really important.
“I make sure I am engaging with the community, trying to give back and also show how fast I can go on a bike.”
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