BMX Supercross World Cup: Five takeaways from the opening rounds

1 - Smulders sisters in smouldering form as the Netherlands dominate the women's competition

Dutch riders were out in a league of their own in the women's competition, with wins in the first and second rounds of this weekend's BMX Supercross World Cup. The Smulders sisters – Laura and Merel – will be among the favourites at Tokyo 2020, if they can maintain this level of form until the Olympic competition begins on 29 July 2021.

27-year-old Laura, a bronze medallist at London 2012, finished first in day two's second round final with a time of 35.120, making her the most successful rider in the history of the World Cup with 20 wins. It came only a day after younger sibling Merel had placed second in the final of Saturday's first round.

"I didn't have my day yesterday, couldn't find my rhythm somehow, I was nervous for Merel, I guess," Laura explained in a post-race interview with Olympic Channel, before adding: "But to be able to do it today, I found that groove back... I knew I was the fastest around the track and this means it's my 20th win on the World Cup circuit. It's unbelievable."

The Smulders sisters were not the only Dutch riders on top of their game this weekend, with Judy Baauw victorious in Saturday's opening round, a race where Laura Smulders was taken out when Switzerland's Zoe Claessens fell at the first corner.

2 - Switzerland secure first two men's World Cup wins in country's history

At the same time Netherlands were dominating the women's competition, Swiss riders were busy making history in the men's finals. On day one in Verona, Simon Marquart brought home his country's first-ever World Cup win with a victory he described as "unbelievable."

But the weekend's most emotional moment may well have occurred during Sunday's final, when David Graf took his first win at a World Cup at age 32. The Swiss rider, who had 24 podium finishes to his name prior to today and only delayed his retirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had this to say about his victory:

"I really can't say how much this means to me, this might be the last World Cup I've ever raced... Finally winning one of those, being in the lead before, then seeing my teammate win yesterday for the first time in our country's history. It's just unbelievable.

"In an Olympic year, first World Cup win, 32 years old, it's just crazy."

3 - Mariana Pajon – human but happy

London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Mariana Pajon proved she can be beaten as she failed to make it past the semi-finals in either round of the weekend. However, the Colombian speedster, whose husband Vincent Pelluard also competed for his adopted country of Colombia in Verona, did not seem overly despondent when asked about her performance on Saturday.

"I'm super excited about that. It's really nice to have these events in Colombia, we really need it," said Pajon. "We really need to be motivated, united. And this is what sports is about, we unite people, get people together which is something positive. I'm really happy."

Pajon will soon have a chance to shine on home soil, as the next rounds of the BMX Supercross World Cup take place in Bogota, Colombia on 29-30 May.

4 - Host nation Japan have found a rising star in HATAKEYAMA Sae

Tokyo 2020 host nation, Japan have an up-and-coming star on their hands in Hatakeyama Sae. The 21-year-old made her, and her country's, first-ever podium with a third-place finish in Saturday's final, following it up on Sunday with her second appearance in a final in as many days.

Once seen as a teenage prodigy, after winning age-group World Cup medals between the ages of 10 and 13, the young rider will enjoy home advantage at Tokyo 2020, as she looks to build upon her recent success on the senior circuit.

5 - Absent USA riders still expected to shine in Tokyo

While the World Cup gave the audience a glimpse of what could possibly transpire at this year's Olympic Games, several of the strongest riders were not present in Verona – particularly those from the United States.

Alise Willoughby, the 2019 Elite Women World Champion, chose not to travel to the event but is expected to have a major say on the makeup of the podium in Tokyo this summer. The rider, who is coached by husband Sam Willoughby, a two-time World Champion who was paralysed in 2016 following a crash in training, will bring almost 20 years of experience to the table when she lines up at the Olympics.

Also missing this weekend was Rio 2016 gold medallist Connor Fields, who currently sits 2nd in the world ranking, but chose to sit out the Verona event with his Olympic participation all but confirmed.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the BMX Supercross World Cup will be in Bogota, Colombia on 29 and 30 May and can be watched live on Olympic Channel.