Aussie riders put on a show to end BMX Freestyle World Cup season

The ARA Australian Cycling Team’s BMX freestyle season has finished on a high, with riders rising to the occasion in the final round of the UCI World Cup in Bazhong, China.

Logan Martin confirmed his overall victory in the UCI World Cup by winning the round, while Natayla Diehm earned her best-ever international result as she continues her comeback from injury.

The host nation, an emerging powerhouse in the sport, qualified no less than six out of the 12 riders in the Elite Women’s final on Sunday.

Australia was the only other country with multiple riders in the final, with Sarah Nicki and Natalya Diehm qualifying 12th and sixth respectively.

Nicki posted a first run of 73.00 to lead out Aussie hopes, but it was Diehm’s second run that caught the judges’ attention.

Starting with a backflip, Diehm then wowed the crowd with a flair, followed by a series of 360s, tail whips and tabletops to post a final score of 84.30.

Overall World Cup winner Hannah Roberts (USA) looked to be in a strong position after posting 91.00 on her first run, but a fall on her second run opened the door for China’s Ya Wen Deng to post 93.84 to win the event.

Natalya Diehm (Image: UCI/FISE_The Agency)

Diehm’s score was good enough for fourth place and her highest-ever placing in international competition. Speaking to AusCycling, the Gold Coast rider was obviously elated with the performance.

“I'm absolutely stoked, especially returning from all these injuries that I've had. I missed out by podium by [less than five] points, which is absolutely insane.

“The level of competition is incredible. I love watching the other girls ride. Until next year – I'm going to come back stronger, and let's go!”

Despite missing the first event of the year, Diehm finished sixth in the overall World Cup standings.

By progressing through the semi-final in the Elite Men’s competition on Saturday, Logan Martin had mathematically won the overall World Cup prior to Sunday’s final. Nevertheless, the Gold Coast rider was keen to finish the season on a high in his first competitive outing since winning silver at the World Championships in August.

Croatia’s Marin Rantes posted an early score of 92.20 in Heat 1 to set the scene for a high-quality final.

Martin then raised the bar in Heat 2, jumping into first place with a score of 94.10 on his first run, before France’s Anthony Jeanjean came out swinging and scored 95.00.

World champion Kieran Reilly (GBR) then rocketed into the lead with a 96.56 on his second run that featured a 720 double tail whip and double flair.

However, Martin once again lifted under the pressure, posting 96.74 on his second run to take the lead.

Martin strung together a series of near-flawless tricks including a 720 double tailwhip and opposite downside tailwhip, but his forward front flip caught the biggest crowd reaction for the entire final, and none of the three remaining riders were able to top the score.

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In a post-race interview, the Olympic champion said his competitors drove him to keep raising the bar in the final.

“I came into finals knowing I had secured the overall win, but still wanted to put on a show and come out and do the best run I can do and man, it was a battle out there,” Martin said.

“Kieran rode so good, Anthony topped it, and it was just a battle and I had to really go for it in that second run.”

The Queenslander revealed he has found a new way to motivate himself as he enters the latter stage of his career.

“I’m now, I guess, considered the old guy. I’m almost entering my 30s, and yeah, it's a challenge. I enjoy challenges. I enjoy working hard to try and overcome challenges, and yeah, I'm at home doing the best I can do, and I come to every event and do the best I can do.”

Martin secured a podium at every stop on the World Cup tour this year, and won three out of the four events.

Australia’s other rider in the Elite Men’s competition, Alec Danelutti, just missed on the finals after finishing 14th in the semis.

Elite Women Results:

Y. Deng (CHN) 93.84
H. Roberts (USA) 91.00
S. Sun (CHN) 89.20
N. Diehm (AUS) 84.30

Elite Men Results:

L. Martin (AUS) 96.74
K. Reilly (GBR) 96.56
A. Jeanjean (FRA) 95.70

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Main Image: UCI/FISE_The Agency