New kids on the block: The young talents stepping up at BMX Freestyle National Championships  

There will be some new faces among familiar names competing for the elite title at this year’s BMX Freestyle National Championships, as the next generation of Australian riders make their move into the top ranks.

A number of young riders will step up from competing for the amateur title to the elite ranks for the first time this weekend at the national championships on the Gold Coast.

Among them is a young former gymnast who had never even ridden a bike (even for fun) until two years ago. 

Read on to meet some of the young talents competing this weekend.

Will Spedding

Age: 18

Hometown: Carool, NSW

Club: Oasis Action Sports Club

Favourite park: Oasis Action Sports Club Park

Favourite trick: Flair Downwhip

Favourite pro rider: Kyle Baldock

When did you start riding BMX Freestyle? I started riding BMX Freestyle when I was 12 years old and have been hooked ever since.

How did you get into riding? I was injured from dirt bike riding, and while I was recovering, my dad put the X Games on TV. That’s when I first saw BMX Freestyle and knew I had to try it. Not long after, I went to a BMX camp where Kyle Baldock was the coach, and that was it, I knew it was my calling.

 Biggest BMX Freestyle achievement so far? I would say my biggest achievement is being able to travel internationally to compete with some of the best riders in the world. Also winning the amateur title at the Nationals at RampFest in Melbourne last year and coming 2nd in elites in the NSW/ACT states and 3rd at the Vic states this year.

 What do you hope to achieve at the 2025 BMX Freestyle National Championships? My goal is to try put down the best run possible and improve my riding. I would love to get on the podium and improve my ranking but I am happy if I can do a better run than I have before. 

 What is your dream to achieve on the bike? My main dream is to make a living off BMX riding and be able to share the excitement of the sport with many other people. I would also love to represent Australia at the World Championships and compete on the biggest stages like the X Games and Olympics. 

Kebe Stanford-Modini

Age: 15

Nickname: Kebe....

Hometown: Nerang, Gold Coast

Club: Nerang BMX Club

Favourite park: The Village or Beenleigh

Favourite trick: Probably a flair or backflip

Favourite pro rider: I got to meet my favourite international rider, Deng Yawen, in China last year at Fise Shanghai but my favourite pro Aussie rider would have to be my bestie, Sarah Nicki

When did you start riding BMX Freestyle? I started riding two years ago

How did you get into riding? I went to the Youfor32 testing and much to my surprise received an offer to try BMX Freestyle......despite the fact I'd never even ridden a bike before.

Biggest BMX Freestyle achievement so far? I've had some really good results and won some medals and I've also landed some pretty epic tricks along the way, but I'd say my biggest achievement is just my overall journey in general.....from rocking up as a gymnast and borrowing a bike (thanks JKCoaching!) to even be able to attend the Youfor32 trial, to now competing against people I've looked up to in the elite category at Nationals. It's a really proud achievement for me, in what has been a really short space of time.     

What do you hope to achieve at the 2025 BMX Freestyle National Championships? I really just want to walk away, knowing that I've done my best run and that I've enjoyed it along the way. Results will be what they will be.

What is your dream to achieve on the bike? My goal in gymnastics and athletics, has always been to make it to the Olympics and now that I am a BMX Freestyle rider, that goal hasn't changed whatsoever.

Keegan Pryor

Age: 17

Nickname: Keegyp

Hometown: Brisbane

Favourite park: The Village (Brisbane)

Favourite trick: 540 flair

Favourite pro rider: Kaden Stone

When did you start riding BMX Freestyle? Age 7

How did you get into riding? Local park that had BMX dirt jumps

Biggest BMX Freestyle achievement so far? Third at QLD BMX Freestyle State Championships this year.

What do you hope to achieve at the 2025 BMX Freestyle National Championships? To complete two clean runs.

What is your dream to achieve on the bike? BMX Freestyle Park X Games gold medal

The AusCycling BMX Freestyle National Championships will be held at the Gold Coast Sports Precinct on February 15-16 and are proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast.