A long-awaited Under-23 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Cup win has finally arrived for Josh Jolly in Papendal.
The 20-year-old put it all together in the Round 4 final to leave Europe on a high ahead of the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships at home in Brisbane next month.
After grabbing the holeshot, Jolly made no mistakes around the Netherlands track to win in 34.016 seconds ahead of Swiss pair Mark Lüthi and Seal Nünlist.
Such is the level of the U23 class this year, Jolly's time was faster than the elite men's winning time of 34.132 set by Switzerland's Loris Aeberhard and the second fastest time Round 4 lap across both classes.
"Oh, right now it means the world," Jolly said.
"Been trying for the last four rounds and just couldn't find my groove at Sarrians and then yesterday I just kept making too many mistakes.
"But yeah, just put my head down and finally got one.
"I did it last year. I knew I could do it again.
"Those little mistakes (have) cost me so, so much this year. It's good to get a win and then next race is World Champs so I'm excited for that.
"I just moved up to Brisbane not too long ago so now that will be my home track.
"I know I can go fast on it and it means the world to me to race the World Championships in front of my friends and family."
Saya Sakakibara remedied a disappointing end to Round 3 by finishing second in Round 4 behind Great Britain's Bethany Shriever.
The Brit was first into turn one after a fast start out of gate eight that allowed her to drift across into the preferred racing line and pinch off Sakakibara.
The ARA Australian Cycling Team chased through the ensuing three straights but couldn't claw back the time lost in turn one.
Teammates Lauren Reynolds and Teya Rufus finished fifth and eighth.
Results
Round 3
Elite Women
- Lauren Reynolds - 6th
- Sienna Pal - 8th
- Bella May - 10th
- Teya Rufus - 13th
- Saya Sakakibara - 16th
Elite Men
- Oli Moran - 42nd
- Jye Moon (Individual) - 65th
- Hayden Fletcher (Individual) - 83rd
U23 Men
- Josh Jolly - 7th
- Jordan Callum - 21st
- Austin McNair (Individual) - 96th
U23 Women
- Charli Guy (Individual) - 10th
- Bella Schramm (Individual) - 14th
- Mia Webster (Individual) - 19th
Round 4
Elite Women
- Saya Sakakibara - 2nd
- Lauren Reynolds - 5th
- Teya Rufus - 8th
- Bella May - 12th
- Sienna Pal - 16th
Elite Men
- Oli Moran - 35th
- Hayden Fletcher (Individual) - 40th
- Jye Moon (Individual) - 67th
U23 Men
- Josh Jolly - 1st
- Jordan Callum - 20th
- Austin McNair (Individual) - 110th
U23 Women
- Mia Webster (Individual) - 6th
- Bella Schramm (Individual) - 13th
- Charli Guy (Individual) - 14th
Feature picture: Navada Photography