Loupos returns to the UCI World Cup podium in Montpellier

Former world champion Brandon Loupos has added another podium to his list of achievements in 2024, with a second-place finish at the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup round in France.

Held at the iconic Montpellier venue on the banks of the Lez river, Loupos steadily improved as the week progressed, qualifying for the finals in ninth place and then topping the semi-final scores to be the last rider in the final.

However, the Sydneysider’s search for gold would be denied by local favourite Anthony Jeanjean.

Riding second last, the French rider put together an impressive first run that featured almost 20 complete tricks to rocket to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 92.50.

Loupos gave it everything on his first attempt, sequencing together a tight run that included a backflip double tailwhip, a 1080, an alley-oop flair whip, and a 540 flair. After an agonising wait from the judges, the ARA Australian Cycling Team rider came up just short with a score of 91.32.

Both riders were unable to better their efforts on their second run, leaving Jeanjean to take the gold in front of a rapturous home crowd. The second place is Loupos’s first UCI World Cup podium since 2019 and since he seriously injured his knee in 2021.

Later that evening, Loupos went one better in the Pat Casey BMX Freestyle Spine Ramp Pro Men Final, a specialist event that places a premium on high-speed tricks. Loupos won the event with a stunning run that included a flair double tail whip and a 540 flair.

Speaking after the win, Loupos was clearly elated to be back on the top of a podium.

“To be honest man, I didn't know if I was ever going to get back up on that top step after all the injuries, after everything I've been through in my life,” Loupos said.

“I’ve got to give it up to my great partner Romy (McCullough) for keeping me in check, AusCycling, and obviously I’ve got to thank all my sponsors for sticking beside me, making sure I don't give up.

“And I just want to say to everybody, if you have a dream and you have a goal to get there, you can do it, 'cause if I can do it, so can you.”

Loupos adds the World Cup silver medal and Spine Ramp Pro win to his Oceania title and bronze medal at the AusCycling National Championship in 2024.

Australian development riders also performed well throughout the weekend. Sammy Grace qualified for the World Cup final, finishing in eighth place, while Mylee Toohey also qualified for the Elite Women final, finishing in 11th.

Australia had three top-10 finishers in the Spine Ramp Pro Men Final. Aside from Loupos, Keegan Pryor finished in sixth while Grace also secured another top-10 placing, 10th overall.

Attention now turns to the Olympic Qualifying Series this week, with the opening leg of the two events taking place in China from 16–19 May.

Elite Men’s Park Replay

Spine Ramp Pro Replay

Main image: The Agency/UCI