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2022 BMX Racing World Cup reaches final rounds
Sep 20, 2022
The 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Cup will be decided over the next fortnight, with the final four rounds taking place in Bogotá, Colombia.
Izaac Kennedy, Bodi Turner, Joshua McLean and Matt Krasevkis will all represent Australia in the Men’s Elite category, while Lauren Reynolds is the sole Australian representative in the Women’s Elite category.
After placing 3rd in both round 2 and 3, Kennedy is currently sitting 5th in the overall standings and in the hunt for a podium finish in the Elite Men’s category, just 224 points behind second-placed Jérémy Rencurel with competition leader Sylvain Andre a further 320 points ahead.
While suggesting he just wants to “go out there, go fast, and see where I end up,” Kennedy also felt he has been working hard and improving all year, and admits that medalling at a World Cup remains a priority.
“I haven’t won a World Cup yet, so that’s for sure a goal I want to tick it off. I really just want to try and be at the front in the last four rounds, get some solid scores, and try to finish this year off on the overall podium. I’d be happy with that,” he said.
Despite 2022 being a hectic year that has included the World Championships, every World Cup round, and sitting third on the USA BMX national points standings, the Australian national champion remains focused on finishing the year positively.
“It’s probably the most racing I’ve ever done, and this will be the first time I do the whole World Cup season. There’s been a few ups and downs, but overall, it’s been pretty good and a good step in the right direction.
“Still lots of racing to go though this year, so I’m going to focus on that and try finish this year off with some wins!”
Joining Kennedy in the top three of the USA BMX national points standings is Josh McLean who sits at the top. McLean has had yet another impressive year on the American circuit and will be keen to emulate that form in Colombia.
Bodi Turner currently sits in 16th place and the Oceania champion will stake a claim for a top 10 finish with strong performances over the final four rounds, while Matt Krasevkis will be riding for the first time in the 2022 World Cup at Bogotá.
After missing the opening two rounds of the Women’s World Cup, Lauren Reynolds picked up a 4th and 5th place respectively in rounds 3 and 4, and currently sits 9th in the overall standings, one place behind compatriot Saya Sakakibara, who took bronze in round 2 of the competition in May.
While a podium finish is out of reach for the 31-year-old West Australian, Reynolds says she is feeling fresh and looking forward to racing in Columbia.
“It’s the last rounds of the World Cup season, but this one kind of feels like it’s just the start. The series was never a focus, but I am very excited to race on the Bogotá track for the first time! With a 4th and 5th at Papendal and this race being four stops, it will be a good challenge to see where we can end up,” Reynold said.
After the disappointment of the 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Championships where a lack of elite riders limited her to just two laps and left her “feeling weird,” Reynolds’ focus will shift to the USA BMX National Series after the World Cup, where she again features at the top end of the leaderboard.
With three pro rounds remaining, Reynolds currently sits 5th in the standings, with the series culminating with the Grands & ROC OKPRO Championship Finals in Tulsa.
“Grands is always an exciting and fun event where anything can happen. My goal is to finish the year in the top three. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend Oldsmar, so I’ll be pushing for some high scores in Bakersfield and then the Grands.”
Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Cup will take place this weekend (September 24-25), with the final two rounds taking place the following weekend, October 1-2.
2022 UCI BMX Racing World Cup
Round 5 & 6: Saturday, September 24 – Sunday, September 25 in Bogotá, Colombia.
Round 7 & 8: Saturday, October 1 – Sunday, October 2 in Bogotá, Colombia.
Follow the live results here.