'Everything’s feeling good on the bike when I’m doing tricks': Australia primed for BMX Urban World Champs

Defending World Champion Logan Martin has sounded a warning ahead of the 2022 UCI BMX Urban World Championships in Abu Dhabi this week.

Speaking to AusCycling prior to departure, Martin said he is feeling strong after winning the latest round of the Chimera A-Side BMX Super League in Japan last month.

“I’m feeling really good. I’ve had a good three-month stint leading into the Japan trip last week, and since being home over the past few days,” Logan said.

“I feel good on my bike, I feel fit, I feel strong. Everything’s feeling good on my bike when I’m doing tricks, so I’m excited going into this World Championship.”

The Olympic gold medallist is also looking forward to defending his title in the pressurised environment of a World Championship.

“I feel I can withstand the pressure. I don’t go into it thinking like, ‘Oh, I’m the guy to beat,’ or anything like that. I just go in there knowing that I’ve done the work, and I’m going to do my best. That’s what I do at every event, and that’s what I’m going to do at this World Championship.

“I never got the chance to defend my World Championship back in 2018 as I was injured, so going into this one as the defending World Champion is pretty exciting for me. I’m up for the challenge, and I’m very excited to go there and just do my best.”

The positive mentality is shared among the athletes making up the Australian BMX Freestyle contingent, with 2019 World Champion Brandon Loupos saying the feeling in the team had been very positive over the last few weeks.

“We’re all friends and we all get along. We all vibe and hang out, so yes, it’s going to be a good time, a good team dynamic,” Loupos said.

“I think if anything, we’ve got the best team out of the whole paddock, really.

“I really want to go there and win, and that’s the only pressure I have on myself; just my own expectations. I believe I can do it, so I’ve just got to put it all together and that’s pretty much the only thing that’s pressuring me at the moment.”

Fans have every reason to share Loupos’s optimism, with the Australian team taking considerable experience into the event.

Loupos is entering his 5th World Championship and Martin his 4th, while Josh Matthews, Jaie Toohey, Jake Wallwork, and Alec Daneluti have also competed at multiple Worlds.

Sarah Nicki is the only debutant and female representative, after Natalya Diehm unfortunately withdrew due to a shoulder injury, and Australian Champion Nathan Mummery is Australia’s only athlete in the Observed Trials category.

Despite the confident outlook, the Australian riders are not taking anything for granted, with Developing AusCycling Athlete Daneluti saying it’s an honour to wear the Green and Gold.

“I missed out over the last few years, so I’ve worked really hard to try and improve myself, to get to this point. So, I’m really stoked to be a part of the team and looking forward to Abu Dhabi, for sure,” said Daneluti.

“There’s clearly going to be some expectations I put on myself, because obviously I know how well I can ride, and I hold myself to that standard. I’m also representing Australia and our team as well, so they’re expecting me to perform at a certain level, but in the same breath, I’m really looking forward to that, and I’m just going to lean into it, take it as it comes, and ride as hard as we can.”

Australian Athletes, BMX Freestyle Park

Elite Men

• Logan Martin (QLD)
• Brandon Loupos (NSW)
• Jaie Toohey (QLD)
• Josh Matthews (QLD)
• Alec Danelutti (QLD)
• Jake Wallwork (QLD)

Elite Women

• Sarah Nicki (ACT)

Australian Athletes, Observed Trials

Elite Men’s - 26 inch

• Nathan Mummery (QLD)

2022 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships

• Wednesday, November 9 – Sunday, November 13 in Abu Dhabi, UAE
• More information
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