The current UCI BMX Supercross World Cup leaders Arthur Pilard (FRA) and Mariana Pajón (COL) are on top of the standings with 335 and 410 points respectively. This pair may have an eye on the 2021 titles, but there are still possibilities of victory for other riders in good shape. The women’s competition sees two riders joint on points, and the men’s standings are close, with the Frenchmen Romain Mahieu (310 points) and Joris Daudet (300) within touching distance of their compatriot Pilard.
Sakarya: new UCI World Cup venue
Sakarya (Turkey), which was awarded the UCI Bike City label this year, is a new stop on the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup circuit. With a few recovery days between race weekends, hopefully all involved will get the opportunity to explore and learn more about Turkish hospitality, culture and food. New stops also mean everyone has to deal with a new track. With the involvement of Thomas Allier (former UCI World Champion, Olympian and coach) in Sakarya's track design, expect a good layout with plenty of jumps. Without the stress of qualifying for the Olympic Games it should be a good chance for the riders to concentrate on racing for the 600 available UCI points.
Ekrem Yuce, Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor shares a word to welcome the UCI BMX World Cup: “Welcome to Sakarya, our beautiful city with its nature, agriculture industry, sea, lakes and river. We are very happy to welcome you in our city. I believe that you, the athletes who do not give up in the face of difficulties and do not give up trying, will be rewarded for your efforts and I wish you success in the competitions. Sakarya is your home, we welcome the world.”
First Under-23 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup winners to be crowned
With 83 entries in the Men and Women U23 classes combined, they make up more than half the field of athletes in Turkey. In the Men U23 competition, the battle for the inaugural 2021 UCI World Cup title in that category looks likely to be between leader Asuma Nakai (JPN) who won two rounds for 300 points in Colombia, and Dutchman Brian van Eeuwijk, who entered in all four rounds so far and sits in second place only 10 points behind – demonstrating the value of consistency.
In the Women U23 category, Thalya Burford (SUI) has a commanding lead before the final Turkish rounds. If she does well during the first weekend on the new track, she can already clinch the U23 Women #1 spot. Her lead over the next racer who has signed up for Turkey (Léa Brindjonc, FRA) is already 365 points.
Elite racing could produce surprises
Even with a number of the big names not on the Elite entry list great racing is still in store. Although currently ranked 10th in the Women Elite, Laura Smulders (NED) is no stranger to UCI World Cup victory. How far can she move up the rankings with four stops remaining? Sister Merel will also be flying to Turkey, as will Payton Ridenour (USA), both competing on the back of the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships in Lisbon (Portugal) where Ridenour claimed the silver medal. Natalya Afremova (RUS) is tied for the lead with Pajón so could surprise the BMX world with a first overall UCI World Cup title for Russia. And with Felicia Stancil (USA) in the mix, the Women Elite class will certainly be a good one to follow!
In the Men Elite competition, France and Switzerland have five and two riders respectively in the top eight, meaning both nations have good chances of celebrating the overall victory at the end of the series. But look out for the ‘Magician’ who sits in 4th place and has made magic happen before: Carlos Ramirez (COL), the Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo, does not fly across the world to finish fourth!