150 strong: Team Australia primed for UCI BMX Racing World Challenge

Australia will be out to replicate their stunning 2023 performance when racing gets underway for this year’s UCI BMX Racing World Challenge in Rock Hill, USA this week.

At last year’s event in Glasgow, Aussie riders amassed an incredible 27 ‘W’ plates over four days of racing – including three ‘W1’ plate winners – far exceeding the 15 ‘W’ plates from 2022.

Reflecting the depth of Australian riding stocks and domestic enthusiasm for the event, no less than 150 riders have made the journey to the USA to wear the green-and-gold in 2024.

2023 ‘W1’ plate winners Amelie Reid (Mandurah BMX), Jayden Bradbrook (Cross Keys BMX), and Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX) have all returned, while Declan McGhee (Mandurah BMX) will be out to avenge the crash on the final straight that cost him a ‘W1’ plate in 2023.

11 Girls National and Oceania champion Dusty Schroeder (Toowoomba BMX) will be looking to add to her growing resume of results, while National Series rivals Steph Alexander (Knox BMX) and Isla Basa (Macarthur BMX) team up in the 15 Girls.

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Australian hopes will also be high in Masters racing, the only category at the BMX World Challenge where the winner is awarded a UCI Rainbow jersey.

Nicole Thomson (Big Rivers BMX) made the Women’s Masters final last year, and will again race alongside 2022 AusCycling Masters BMX Rider of the Year Letitia Weatherhead (Bayside BMX).

On the Men’s side, the Australian contingent is headlined by 2012 Olympian and 2008 USABMX #1 Pro Rider Khalen Young (Southern Districts BMX), while two-time Elite national champion Corey Frieswyk (Suncoast Hinterland BMX) further adds to Aussie stocks.

Competing in his first world-level event for eight years, Frieswyk told AusCycling that he’s keen to contribute to Australia’s success at the event.

“I’m looking forward to lining up again on that gate and going out and performing the way I know how to. Ultimately my goal is to be in that final and race my best lap,” Frieswyk said.

After announcing his retirement from Elite racing at the national championships in Shepparton last year, Frieswyk refocused his goals and has enjoyed newfound success at Masters level.

“My kids are a massive motivation for me now … I’d love to look back one day with my kids and have them be proud of things I accomplished with my family by my side, knowing that one day it will be me being by their side supporting whatever goals and dreams they have,” he said.

“It was kind of AusCycling to acknowledge me retiring from Elite. It felt real when I announced it on the day, and in front of so many familiar faces. I feel it was a great send off. Looking back, I am happy with my choice to move classes. I was ready.”

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The 30-year-old in February won the 30+ Men 20” Masters category at the 2024 Oceania Continental Championship, and hopes to continue racing in the USA BMX Pro series in the Vet Pro category, but is undecided about competing at the National Championships in Perth later this year.

Looking back, the Queenslander also revealed some of the standout performances from his Elite career, adding that he still draws on those races for inspiration at the gate.

“My first national win with so many of my idols and friends will always stand out; the crowd that was surrounding the track was nothing short of amazing,” he said.

“The second race I will always remember was my win at the 2018 Oceania championships in Perth. The confidence I had for that race is something I always try to channel at any race I go to now.”

2024 UCI BMX Racing World Challenge Team

Girls

Evelyn Daley (Rockhampton BMX): 8 Girls
Mckenna Wolf (Byford BMX): 8 Girls

Ida Ferguson (Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club): 9 Girls
Samyra Jani (Cockburn BMX): 9 Girls
Isabella Miller (Satellite City BMX): 9 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under
Lottie McDougall (Central Highlands BMX): 9 Girls

Indy Erich (Ashmore BMX): 10 Girls
Sierra Gibson (Canberra BMX Club): 10 Girls
Lacy Robinson (Karratha BMX): 10 Girls
Elani Schwartz (Macarthur BMX): 10 Girls
Makenna Thornton (Bendigo BMX): 10 Girls
Lily Webster (Southlake Illawarra BMX):10 Girls

Sophie-Rose Barrett (Bundaberg BMX): 11 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under
Josie Bunt (Rockhampton BMX): 11 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under
Maggie McDougall (Central Highlands BMX): 11 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under
Imogene McLean (Shepparton BMX): 11 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under
Abigail Miller (Satellite City BMX): 11 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under
Penny Simmonds (Bayside BMX): 11 Girls
Giovana Vrapcenjak (Frankston BMX): 11 Girls

Tia Gibson (Canberra BMX): 12 Girls
Indiana Mitchell (Nerang BMX): 12 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under
Dusty Schroder (Toowoomba BMX): 12 Girls, Cruiser 12 & Under

Maya Stevie Ellis (Frankston BMX): 13 Girls
Amelie Reid (Mandurah BMX): 13 Girls
Arin Seok (Bayside BMX): 13 Girls

Tahlia Broomhall (Wynyard BMX): 14 Girls, Cruiser 13-16
Mia Miotello (Terrigal BMX): 14 Girls
Amelia Stichbury (Tuggeranong Vikings BMX): 14 Girls
Molly Williamson (Redlands BMX): 14 Girls

Stephanie Alexander (Knox BMX): 15 Girls
Breanna-Lee Barrett (Bundaberg BMX): 15 Girls, Cruiser 13-16
Isla Basa (Macarthur BMX): 15 Girls
Erica Goodwin (Penrith BMX Club): 15 Girls, Cruiser 13-16
Holyee-Ann Jackson (Ipswich and West Moreton BMX): 15 Girls, Cruiser 13-16
Savannah McCormick (Centenary Plains BMX): 15 Girls, Cruiser 13-16
Danica Memery (Casey BMX): 15 Girls
Georgie Venables (Maitland Tenambit BMX): 15 Girls, Cruiser 13-16
Julijana Vrapčenjak (Frankston BMX): 15 Girls,
Kyarnee Young (Pine Rivers BMX): 15 Girls

Chloe Duncalfe (Ipswich and West Moreton BMX): 16 Girls
Alyssa Howat (Westside BMX): 16 Girls
Jenna Jolly (East Pilbara BMX): 16 Girls

Women

Ava Potter (Harbour City BMX): 17-24 Women, Cruiser 17-24
Coby Stagg (Frankston BMX): 17-24 Women, Cruiser 17-24

Narelle Falkenhagen (Centenary Plains BMX): 25+ Women, Cruiser 40+

Tina Eason (Eastfield BMX): Cruiser 40+
Sandra Cameron (Penrith BMX): Penrith BMX Club, Cruiser 40+

Nicole Thomson (Big Rivers BMX): Masters, Cruiser 30-39
Lauren Cavasin (Bayside BMX): Masters, Cruiser 40+
Michelle Newport (Mandurah BMX): Masters, Cruiser 40+
Angela Potter (Harbour City BMX): Masters, Cruiser 40+
Letitia Weatherhead (Bayside BMX): Masters, Cruiser 40+

Boys

Lachlan Geaney (Southside BMX): 8 Boys
Rocco Cruz Bautista (Lake Macquarie BMX): 8 Boys
Addison Gleig (Castle Hill BMX): 8 Boys

Ryan Williams (Mcarthur BMX Club): 9 Boys
Rory Upshall (Suncoast Hinterland BMX): 9 Boys
Jake Mellington (Eastern Goldfields BMX): 9 Boys
Samson McLean (Shepparton BMX): 9 Boys
Landon Mason (Wynyard BMX): 9 Boys
Kai Hooper (Westside BMX): 9 Boys
William Goff (Castle Hill BMX Club): 9 Boys
Erwan Enguerra (Castle Hill BMX Club):9 Boys
Raph Cummins (Batemans Bay BMX): 9 Boys
Harrison Cullen (Cockburn BMX): 9 Boys
Thomas Bland (Westside BMX): 9 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under
Harlen Anderson (Bundaberg BMX): 9 Boys

Judd Howard (Hills BMX): 10 Boys
Cordell Daley (Moranbah BMX): 10 Boys
Memphis Blake (Nerang BMX): 10 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under

Nathaniel Wenske (Cross Keys BMX): 11 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under
Jaxden O’Connell (Pine Rivers BMX): 11 Boys
Patrick Mellington (Eastern Goldfields BMX): 11 Boys
Ryder Brooks (Knox BMX): 11 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under

Beau Secher (Mackay and District BMX): 12 Boys
Luke Patroni (Lake Macquarie BMX): 12 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under
Mason Park (Frankston Sharks BMX): 12 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under
Benjamin Keed (Nerang BMX): 12 Boys
Koby Erich (Nerang BMX): 12 Boys
Hudson Daley (Moranbah BMX): 12 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under
Jayden Bradbrook (Cross Keys BMX): 12 Boys, Cruiser 12 & Under

Dylan Secher (Mackay and District BMX): 13 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
John-Joshua Myburgh (Wanneroo BMX): 13 Boys
Kade McNamara (Happy Valley BMX): 13 Boys
Jack Lupton (Castle Hill BMX): 13 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
Jaxson Hill (Westside BMX): 13 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
Aiden Geaney (Southside BMX): 13 Boys
Benjamin Forster (Castle Hill BMX): 13 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
Kai Field (Terrigal BMX): 13 Boys

Nate Robinson (Karratha BMX): 14 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
Nicholas Minogue (Tuggeranong BMX): 14 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
Riley Lawrence (The Cove BMX): 14 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
Matthew Fox (Cairns BMX): 14 Boys, Cruiser 13-14
Harvey Brooks (Knox BMX): 14 Boys, Cruiser 13-14

Giancarlo Vaccarella (Canberra BMX): 15 Boys
Ryder Schroder (Toowoomba BMX): 15 Boys
Zane Ratajczak (Westside BMX): 15 Boys, Cruiser 15-16
Caleb Nicol (Red Centre BMX): 15 Boys
Mica Moloney (Cairns BMX): 15 Boys, Cruiser 15-16
Oliver Hogan (Byford BMX): 15 Boys
Matteo Cummings (Manly Warringah BMX): 15 Boys
Callum Cristiano (Frankston BMX): 15 Boys
Cohen Cristiano (Frankston BMX): 15 Boys
Zane Bourke (Maitland BMX): 15 Boys, Cruiser 15-16

Benjamin Schramm (Ashmore BMX): 16 Boys
Declan McGee (Mandurah BMX): 16 Boys, Cruiser 15-16
Luke Keogh (East Pilbara BMX): 16 Boys, Cruiser 15-16
Cameron Gatt (Geelong BMX): 16 Boys, Cruiser 15-16
Liam Forster (Castle Hill BMX): 16 Boys
Meer Jani (Cockburn BMX): 16 Boys
Hunter Boschen (Townsville BMX): 16 Boys, Cruiser 15-16

Men

Nicolo Vaccarella (Canberra BMX): 17-24 Men
Zeth Griffiths (Wynyard BMX): 17-24 Men, Cruiser 17-24
Fletcher Young (Pine Rivers BMX): 17-24 Men
Connor Parish (Mackay and District BMX): 17-24 Men, Cruiser 17-24
Zachary van Bladel (Caboolture BMX): 17-24 Men
Jack Fraser (Blue Mountains BMX): 17-24 Men, Cruiser 17-24
Zac Hutton (Bundaberg BMX): 17-24 Men, Cruiser 17-24
Ronan Weber (Cairns BMX): 17-24 Men, Cruiser 17-24
Mitchell Burke (Redlands BMX): 17-24 Men
Cooper Bromley (Shepparton BMX): 17-24 Men

Matthew White (Bendigo BMX): 25-29 Men, Cruiser 25-29
Daniel Morris (Tamworth City BMX): 25-29 Men, Cruiser 25-29

Matthew Blake (Bunbury BMX): 30-34 Men, Cruiser 30-34
Joshua Nash (Cairns BMX): 30-34 Men, Cruiser 30-34
Daniel Walker (Hawkesbury Hornets BMX): 30-34 Men

Neil Brunjes (Cooloola BMX): 35+ Men
Paul Adams (Hills BMX): 35+ Men, Cruiser 35-39
Bradley Ross (Wanneroo BMX): 35+ Men, Cruiser 35-39
Luke Marsh (Centenary Plains BMX): 35+ Men, Cruiser 40-44
David Jackson (Ipswich and West Moreton BMX): 35+ Men
Nathan Evans (South Gippsland BMX): 35+ Men, Cruiser 40-44
Luke Cristiano (Frankston BMX): 35+ Men, Cruiser 45-49
Brendan Arnold: 35+ Men
Brad Bellette (Red Centre BMX): 35+ Men, Cruiser 50+

Luke Williams (Tuggeranong BMX): Cruiser 40-44

Terry Gniatkiewicz (Townsville BMX): Cruiser 45-49
Darryl Kelly (Burdekin BMX): Cruiser 45-49
Clint Schuurs (Centenary Plains BMX): Cruiser 45-49
Edward Venables (Maitland BMX): Cruiser 45-49
David Schramm (Ashmore BMX): Cruiser 45-49

Robert Mohan (Manly Warringah BMX): Cruiser 50+
Karl Mustchin (Wanneroo BMX): Cruiser 50+
Annino Vaccarella (Canberra BMX): Cruiser 50+
Dean Nash (Cairns BMX): Cruiser 50+
Rohan Widdison (Frankston Sharks BMX): Cruiser 50+

Khalen Young (Southern Districts BMX): Masters
Corey Freiswky (Suncoast Hinterland BMX): Masters
Joseph Costa (Cairns BMX): Masters
Adam Carey (Bathurst BMX): Masters

2024 UCI BMX Racing World Challenge

12-15 May, 2024
Rock Hill, South Carolina USA

Event Schedule

Details about the BMX Challenge broadcast coverage will be shared across AusCycling social media channels as soon as it becomes available.

Main photos: SWPix.com