2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships: Alise Willoughby and Joris Daudet claim third UCI World Title

A dramatic final day of racing at Rock Hill

America’s Alise Willoughby and France’s Joris Daudet crowned 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Champions in a dramatic final day of racing at Rock Hill, South Carolina (USA).

Women Elite: victory for Willoughby in front of a home crowd

Alise Willoughby (USA) takes the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Champion title in Rock Hill, South Carolina, leading it out in the final ahead of pre-race favourite Saya Sakakibara (AUS). Crossing the line in front of home fans, Willoughby adds another rainbow jersey to her collection as she takes home her third UCI World title and her second at Rock Hill.

“I always say this place has a special place in my heart and I wanted to deliver here. We put in the work and here we are again! It is such an honour to deliver on the day. You dream of it and hope for it but doing it is a whole other thing. I am so proud to say I am still rising to my potential in the latter part of my career, and I just want to keep digging.” said Willoughby.

Zoé Claessens (SUI) crossed the line in second, with Daleny Vaughan (USA) giving the American crowd another reason to celebrate as she secured the third podium spot, earning herself a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Men Elite: Daudet dominates in Rock Hill

It proved the perfect day for Joris Daudet, winning all of his heats before making it count in the Men Elite Finals, powering ahead of Niek Kimmann (NED) to earn his third rainbow jersey.

“I thought I could do it here, but it’s been a hard beginning to the season,” said Joris Daudet, who suffered a broken collarbone at the start of the year. “I am a bit speechless, so many hours of work and dedication and everything came down to one lap and 30-seconds, so it is intense. What a day!”

Niek Kimmann (NED) applied the pressure behind in second, with Sylvain Andre (FRA) in third.

Women Under 23: back-to-back for Veronika Sturiska

Moving up from Junior to Women Under 23 category in 2024, Veronika Sturiska (LAT) had a tough task on her hands in the battle for the rainbow jersey in Rock Hill. Having won her semi-final, the 2023 Junior UCI World Champion held off Emily Hutt (GBR) in second and Isabell (Bella) May (AUS) in third.

“It feels special, but even more so that I could do it from Lane 8,” said Sturiska.

Men Under 23: Benalcazar storms across the line for Ecuador

Pedro Benalcazar Guerrero looked dangerous from the off in the Men Under 23 Finals, winning his heat ahead of Jack Greenough (NZL) before backing it up in the Finals ahead of Patrick O’Brien (USA) and Jason Noordam (NED).

“I just want to thank my family! This has been my home for a couple of years, and I am happy to make it happen here,” said Benalcazar.

Junior: Australia do the double with Rufus and Jolly on top

Having dominated the Women Under 23 category at the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Cup, Teya Rufus (AUS) headed into the Women Junior Finals as the firm favourite.

Having won her Semi-Final in style, the Australia rider found herself on the backfoot in the Finals, with Lily Greenough (NZL) taking the hole shot, leaving Rufus with work to do to close her down and cross the finish line in first place.

“This is what you train for and what you want but when it actually happens, it is unbelievable. I can’t wrap my head around it yet,” said Rufus, who was joined by Greenough and Ava Corley (USA) on the podium.

Joshua Jolly gave Australia another reason to celebrate, staying out of trouble in a chaotic Men Junior Finals and powering ahead to his first UCI World Champion title. Niels Appermont (BEL) crossed the line in second, with Valentino Vallejo (ARG) in third.

“I have been doing pretty good laps all weekend. Didn’t have the best of gates so I got a bit nervous on that one but nice to pull it back. I can’t believe it,” said Jolly.