Young Aussie trio ready for BMX Freestyle World Cup in Shanghai

Three up-and-coming Australian BMX freestyle riders will look to make their mark on the international stage this week when they compete at the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup in Shanghai.

The third and final BMX Freestyle World Cup for 2024 will take place from October 17-20 in Shanghai as part of the FISE World Series.

While the ARA Australian Cycling Team will not send a team for this event, Australia’s Samual Grace, Xavier Gilbee and Mylee Toohey will compete as independent riders. 

It will be an opportunity for the young trio to get some international-level experience under their belt and test themselves against the best in the world. 

It’s been a breakout year for Grace, 21, who won the 2024 BMX Freestyle National Championships against established riders including Brandon Loupos and Alec Danelutti.

 The Victorian rider made an impressive World Cup debut in Montpellier, France this year finishing 8^th overall and will be looking to go even better in Shanghai.

Fellow Victorian, Xavier Gilbee, 18, will be itching to lay down some solid runs after having to cut short his World Cup debut in Montpellier earlier this year after sustaining an injury during practice.

Gilbee is promising young talent, who finished just off the podium in fourth at the 2024 BMX FS National Championships.

At just 16, Mylee Toohey, from Canberra, is the youngest of the Aussie trio.

She will again be aiming to qualify for the finals after finishing 11^th in Montpellier and will take that experience with her into competition in Shanghai.

“Getting into the finals at Montpellier was a highlight earlier this year. One of my coaches was with me Chris Bierton and he helped me prepare for it well, it was a lot of mental preparation, and I definitely learned a lot from it like proper preparation and how to remain focused with the large crowds and I am feeling more confident going into this comp with that experience,” Toohey said.

“I would like to make finals in this competition, that’s my main goal. The experience of each competition helps me get more comfortable and build for the next one, each time I complete I learn something new about myself and use that to get better for the next one.”

Toohey has spent a week in China in the lead up to competition and spent time riding with Team China.  

Throughout the year, she had been practicing riding at different parks and locations and said she felt well-prepared for the World Cup in Shanghai.

“It looks great, lots of opportunity for box tricks which is what I really like doing. I have been practicing at lots of different locations to prepare and AusCycling have been putting me through regular pressure tests, these all help when riding in a new park for competitions.”

Australian viewers can watch the BMX Freestyle World Cup on Fox Australia. 

2024 UCI BMX World Cup, China

• October 17-20
• West Bund, Shanghai, China
• Competition Guide