Kennedy, Sakakibara, Asmus score podiums at 2025 UCI BMX Racing World Cup double-header opener in Sarrians

Podiums performances from Izaac Kennedy, Saya Sakakibara and Jesse Asmus have provided a strong start to the 2025 UCI BMX Racing World Cup season for the ARA Australian Cycling Team in Sarrians, France.

Kennedy, the defending elite men champion, led the Australian efforts winning silver in Round 1 on Saturday before backing that up with a bronze medal ride in Round 2 on Sunday.

The 24-year-old leaves Sarrians third in points behind Frenchmen Arthur Pilard, who won Round 1, and Sylvain Andre, who won Round 2.

Speaking after Saturday's silver medal, Kennedy said he was both pleased and not pleased with the result.

"It was a good day, I was happy with how I went ... I'm happy with second it's not a bad result but not happy with how I got it," he said.

"Just smacked the gate down in the final. Must have just been too antsy to go, need to relax a little more, but was able to ride a good lap and ended up second."

Speed was no issue for Olympic and two-time defending elite women champion Sakakibara, highlighted by taking home the fastest elite women lap for the weekend and the yellow plate.

The 25-year-old moved her World Cup podium streak to 14 in Round 1 via a silver medal ride but couldn't extend that run to 15 in Round 2 after finishing fifth.

Sakakibara sits third in points behind Round 2 winner Molly Simpson (Canada) and Round 1 winner Zo Claessens (Switzerland) ahead of the third and fourth rounds in Papendal, Netherlands this coming weekend.

Sakakibara said it was a strong start to the season.

"Broke my streak of 14 consecutive World Cup podiums ... oh well," she said.

"It was a huge win to get back into the mix of racing and to come out of the other side with more experience.

"Staying on the bike is another big plus."

Asmus joined Kennedy in laying down two podium rides over both rounds after grabbing bronze in U23 Men Round 1 and silver in Round 2.

The 22-year-old, who won his maiden U23 Men World Cup last year at home in Brisbane, travels to Papendal second in points behind Dutchman Jason Noordam, who swept Sarrians with two wins.

"Really solid start to the World Cup season," Asmus said.

"I'm happy with my consistency throughout the weekend and keen to have another crack in Papendal to try and go one better."

In other results, elite women national Sienna Pal progressed through to the semifinals on both days, recording finishes of 12th and 14th.

Elite men national champion Oliver Moran, racing in his first elite World Cup after winning the U23 Men series last year, advanced through to the semifinals in Round 1, eventually finishing 16th. In Round 2, he was eliminated in the quarterfinals, finishing 22nd overall.

Bodi Turner, Teya Rufus, Bella May and Jordan Callum all endured a battling weekend of different severities, with Turner, Rufus and Callum sitting out of Sunday's racing after crashes on Saturday and May missing both rounds after a crash in practice on Tuesday.

In Round 1, Turner finished 48th (1/8 finals), Rufus 24th (quarterfinals) in her first elite World Cup and Callum exited in the 1/8 finals.

Josh Jolly was the best of the travelling Australian contingent not in ARA Australian Cycling colours, with the junior world champion finishing his U23 Men weekend beside finishes of eighth in Round 1 and fourth in Round 2 to sit fifth in points.

Feature picture: Navada Photography