Quality field ensures a spectacular day of qualifying at BMX Freestyle National Championships

A healthy crowd was on hand to see the opening day of the 2024 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championship at the remodelled RampFest Indoor Skatepark in Melbourne’s west.

Following the junior categories in the morning, fans were treated to the Masters finals as well as Amateur and Elite qualifying rounds, with the Flatland Championships taking place between afternoon sessions.

Elite Women:

With only four of the six women competing on Saturday progressing to Sunday’s final, the pressure was on to limit mistakes, with final scores based on the combined average of a rider’s two runs.

The depth of the field was also strengthened with the inclusion of German riders Kim Lea Müller and Lara Lessmann, competing at RampFest ahead of the opening round of the 2024 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in Japan later this month.

Defending champion Sarah Nicki had a rough start to qualification, coming down late on her first run, but recovered to put together a strong second run. Australia’s other top rider Natalya Diehm looked ferocious on the ramps and put down two clean runs to qualify in first place.

“I put a bit of pressure myself to up my game for qualifying, just so that I know when I come to bigger competitions in my finals runs, I have the confidence to know that I can pull these tricks,” Diehm told AusCycling.

“So yeah, a few things that I want to add on for tomorrow, but yeah really, really happy with today.”

Nicki meanwhile reflected on what lead to her slip-up today, with a clear focus on the improvement needed for the finals tomorrow after qualifying in third.

“I went to do a flair in my qualiys, which I’ve landed two beforehand, but I hadn't tried it when I was tired. So, I miscalculated that and then stacked it in my first run … so there’s definitely a lot more I want to do tomorrow, and a lot of stuff I want to upgrade as well.”

“Obviously it messes with your confidence when you fall, but yeah, tomorrow should be good, new day, start fresh. Tomorrow is best run, so I get two chances, whereas today the runs are a combined average, so I can kind of put a bit more risk in tomorrow, but I'm excited!”

Natalya Diehm.

Elite Men:

A small field of only nine riders belied the quality of qualification in the elite men category, with competitors wowing the crowd with their efforts on Saturday evening.

Alec Danelutti pieced together two very nice runs to qualify first overall, but the Australian podium potential athlete revealed to AusCycling he has kept a few tricks in reserve for Sunday.

“Today it was just about getting two solid runs down and making sure I qualify hopefully in a good spot, and then tomorrow’s where all the bigger things are coming up,” Danelutti said.

“I can't let you in on all my secrets, but I've got a few things planned, so yeah, we’ll see how we go tomorrow. But either way, for day one, that’s a wrap and I'm pretty happy.”

“Everybody was going really, really hard today, so I think it's going to make for a really, really fun and interesting final tomorrow.”

Olympic hopeful Brandon Loupos continues to strengthen in his return from injury, but also felt there was room for improvement from his qualification runs.

“I didn't really do what I wanted to the first run. I landed flat on the first box and wasn't too happy with the rest the run but came back on the second one. Started putting in my reps, started riding the way I knew I could ride.”

“When you don't compete for two or three years, especially with injuries and stuff, it plays a mind game on you, for sure, especially with your confidence. So, to come back and know that I feel like I haven't really skipped a beat, it just felt like a really big, forced break, it gives me more confidence knowing like, ‘oh, I can get back quite quickly’.”

Qualification Results

Brandon Loupos.

Amateur Qualifying

A strong field of 20 male and three female riders took to the ramps in the amateur categories. Among the female riders, 2023 U15s winner Kayla Mccormick qualified in first place ahead of 2023 U15s bronze medallist Kebe Stanford-Modini, while Lillian Cotter qualified third.

The top 12 amateur men progressed through to the finals, with Brodie Quick qualifying in top spot, followed by William Spedding and Roman Riches-Depiazzi, while 2023 U15 winner Koby Carroll was fourth.

Masters Finals

Eleven riders turned out for the Masters Final, with Dylan Lewis awarded the green and gold jersey. Nathan "Lanky" Philips took the silver, while AusCycling BMX Freestyle Development Coach Chris Bierton secured the bronze.

The best trick by rider vote was awarded to Pete Meyer, for his ice pick-stall.

Flatland Championships

Argentinian Gonzalo Bellanti triumped over Spanish rider Iñigo Arroyo in the battle of the DownUnderGround Flatland Championship, with judge’s scores based on difficulty, consistency and originality.

Saturday Replay

Sunday Live Stream

Event Hub

Sunday Schedule*

8:40am - 1:15pm: Junior Practice & Finals
1:15pm - 3:25pm: Amateur Finals
3:25pm - 5:15pm: Pro / Elite Finals
5:30pm: Presentations

*Subject to change

2024 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships

Location: RampFest Indoor Skate Park, Braybrook, Victoria
Dates: 10-11 February 2024
More information: 2024 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships
Weekend spectator tickets are now on sale via the Rampfest website

Follow @AusCycling

The 2024 AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships are proudly presented by RampFest in partnership with Maribyrnong City Council & the Victorian State Government

Photos: Gorak Photography