‘Let my riding do the talking’: Loupos ready to put on show at BMX Freestyle World Cup

The ARA Australian Cycling Team kick off their BMX Freestyle World Cup campaign this weekend with the first round of the series in Enoshima, Japan.

Former World Champion and Olympic gold medallist Logan Martin will head up the Australian team of five riders, which includes another former world champ in Brandon Loupos, with Alec Danelutti and Australian national champions Natalya Diehm and Sarah Nicki rounding out the squad.

And while the opening round of the World Cup isn’t an Olympic qualifier, there is still a lot to ride for being the first big international competition of the year. It will be important for the riders to get their World Cup campaign off to a positive start as they continue to build momentum ahead of the Paris Qualifiers in May and June.

Loupos said he would let his “riding do the talking” this year and is hoping that will help him to unleash his full potential in 2024.

“I enjoy riding my bike with my friends and at contests, so I just got to go out, let my riding do the talking and see where I’m at, not putting any unnecessary stress on me because I won’t deliver a good result with that mindset. I’m just excited to ride and put on a show,” he said.

While Loupos finished second at BMX Freestyle Nationals earlier this month, he said his best is still to come, and reflected on some key learnings he took away from that competition.

“I have way more to give than what I did at nationals. I just hope I get to show that soon,” he said.

“(Nationals showed) me in the lead up to the event what’s best for my performance. I rode way too much in the lead up and it effected my riding on game day, so I just went into survival mode just to get a podium.”

Loupos, who has been riding recently with fellow team member Sarah Nicki, said the team atmosphere was positive leading into competition.

“I’ve been riding with Sarah and watching her push her riding has been awesome and making me do the same,” he said.

“The vibe in the team is great, we all get along well and we’re all friends so it’s still a fun atmosphere.”

The World Cup starts on Friday with Elite Men qualification, followed by semi-finals on Saturday and finals on Sunday. The Elite Women will begin with qualification on Saturday before finals on Sunday.

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Picture: Tyler Rizzi