‘Most challenging competition week’: Wind, rain affect opening round of UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup

The ARA Australian Cycling Team kicked off its 2024 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup campaign with a silver to Logan Martin at a rain-affected opening round in Enoshima, Japan.

The weather played havoc at the open-air venue, with practice cancelled in the days leading up to competition and qualification rounds also delayed.

Rain finally cleared on Saturday, giving athletes their first chance to ride the course for qualification.

And with more rain forecast for Sunday’s semi-finals and finals, laying down solid scores in qualifications became vital.

2023 UCI World Cup winner Logan Martin went big in qualification, laying down a run that would see him score 91.00 and land him second overall behind Frenchman Anthony Jeanjean with a score of 91.50.

But after qualification on Saturday, organisers made the decision to cancel Sunday’s competition, with qualification results counting as the final standings.

Australia’s Natalya Diehm (pictured above) battled the elements and finished just outside the podium, qualifying in fifth place with a score of 61.8.

Diehm said on Saturday she came off with just 10 seconds to go in her second run but was happy to have qualified.

“The wind was absolutely horrendous, and a lot of girls got taken out from the wind,” she said on Instagram,

“This is definitely one of the most challenging competition weeks I’ve ever had, so I’m stoked to qualify and hope there is finals tomorrow so I can do better.”

ARA Australian Cycling Team results

Men

• Logan Martin (91.00 points) – 2nd
• Alec Danelutti (79.02 points) – 9th
• Brandon Loupos (72.9 points) – 13th

Women

• Natalya Diehm (61.8 points) – 5th
• Sarah Nicki (57.2 points) – 10th

Pictures: UCI BMX FS/ The Agency