Four things we learned from the 2023 BMX racing World Cup season 

After nine rounds of nerve-tingling action, the 2023 BMX racing World Cup season has come to an end.

Two new overall champions have been named, with Australia’s Saya Sakakibara triumphing in the women’s competition and France’s Romain Mahieu in the men’s.

With Paris 2024 less than a year away, new names have risen to the top of the elite racing scene while champions have continued to show their class on the world stage.

From the incredible return of Sakakibara to France’s budding talents shining in the year before their home Olympics, here’s what we learned from the 2023 BMX racing season.

Saya Sakakibara completes comeback with overall women’s title

It wasn’t so long ago that Australia’s Sakakibara was contemplating packing in BMX racing.

The 24-year-old’s struggles with concussions and injury saw her contemplating her future in the sport, while a horrific racing accident that left her brother in a coma shook her confidence to the core.

However, this year, the Aussie has been nothing short of sensational, with five victories from nine rounds (round five was cancelled due to strong winds) seeing her claim her maiden world title.

Sakakibara’s form has been so strong that she triumphed in the last three rounds of competition, which all took place in Santiago del Estero in Argentina.

The talented young rider also registered two silvers in the 2023 season meaning she only failed to make the top two steps of the podium in two rounds.

Much will now be expected of Sakakibara as she enters an Olympic year on top of the world.

France 1-2 raises hopes for home Olympics gold

The men’s competition saw a similar level of dominance to the women’s with France’s Romain Mahieu registering five wins and two silvers - the same set of results as Sakakibara achieved.

With the Olympics taking place on home soil next year, France may also be able to count on the talents of another thrilling racer, as Joris Daudet’s three victories, one silver and one bronze saw him take second place in the final standings.

With Sylvain Andre also registering two silvers over the year, France look to be the dominant force in the world of men's BMX racing right now.

Daudet is a two-time world championship gold medallist (2011, 2016) while Andre also triumphed in 2018 in Baku.

And while France’s men did not come home with any metalware from Tokyo 2020, they will have high hopes heading into Paris 2024.

Olympic champion Beth Shriever falls just short in title bid

While Sakakibara’s overall title seemed on paper to be as one-sided as they get, the fact she was pushed all the way to the final rounds is a testament to the talents of Olympic Champion Beth Shriever.

The Brit registered four victories to Sakakibara’s five with silver in round eight in Argentina giving her five podium finishes during the year.

Shriever’s form in 2023 has been exceptional as she added a second World Championships gold to her trophy cabinet after victory in Glasgow.

At 24, Shriever is the same age as Sakakibara and the two will most likely enter next year’s Games as favourites, should they qualify and be chosen to compete in Paris by their National Olympic Committees.

Can she add a second Olympic gold medal to her resume? On this form, you wouldn’t want to count her out.

Colombian riders show strength beyond legend Mariana Pajon

The first name that comes to most people’s minds when it comes to Colombian BMX racing is two-time Olympic champion Mariana Pajon.

However, 2023 showed there is more talent in the South American nation than just the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist.

Third place in the men’s overall title race went to Diego Arboleda Ospina while Colombians also had riders in sixth (Olympic bronze medallist Carlos Ramirez Yepes) and ninth (Mateo Carmona Garcia).

So much is always expected of Pajon and her ninth-place finish this year in the women’s competition will be seen as something of a disappointment. However, Gabriela Bolle Carrillo’s 10th place is another example of the depth of talent in Colombia heading into 2024.

2023 BMX racing World Cup season final standings

Women’s elite

1 - Saya Sakakibara, Australia (3775 points)

2 - Beth Shriever, Great Britain (3044 points)

3 - Laura Smulders, Netherlands (2680 points)

4 - Alise Willoughby, USA (2480 points)

5 - Merel Smulders, Netherlands (2334 points)

6 - Zoe Claessens, Switzerland (2035 points)

7 - Molly Simpson, Canada (1914 points)

8 - Felicia Stancil, USA (1771 points)

9 - Mariana Pajon, Colombia (1764 points)

10 - Gabriela Bolle Carrillo, Colombia (1328 points)

Men’s elite

1 - Romain Mahieu, France (3543 points)

2 - Joris Daudet, France (3094 points)

3 - Diego Arboleda Ospina, Colombia (2159 points)

4 - Nike Kimmann, Netherlands (1763 points)

5 - Simon Marquart, Switzerland (1589 points)

6 - Carlos Ramirez Yepes (1581 points)

7 - Jeremy Rencurel, France (1522 points)

8 - Sylvain Andre, France (1464 points)

9 - Mateo Carmona Garcia, Colombia (1396 points)

10 - Quillan Isidore, Great Britain (1363 points)