UCI Cycling World Championships 2023: Beth Shriever regains world BMX racing title as Romain Mahieu leads French podium sweep
Shriever dominated on home soil to add a second world title to her Olympic gold, with Mahieu claiming his first major title at the Glasgow BMX centre.
Cycling BMX Racing
Olympic BMX racing champion Beth Shriever delighted her home fans by regaining her world title at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow on Sunday (13 August).
Having been the best rider all day, Shriever started from the coveted inside gate and made another blistering start.
Zoe Claessens and Manon Veenstra both fell on the opening straight with two-time world champion Alise Willoughby leading the chasing pack and two-time Olympic champion Mariana Pajón bringing up the rear.
The home favourite never looked like being caught with Laura Smulders passing Willoughby on the final corner to take the silver.
Australia's World Cup series leader Saya Sakakibara was fourth with Pajon overtaking Lauren Reynolds to take fifth place.
Shriever, who won her first world crown in 2021 weeks after her Olympic triumph, said afterwards, “It’s so special. The crowd have been amazing. My family are here, my friends are here. I’m speechless right now.”
On the ferocity of the competition, she said, “You’ve got to be at the top of your game. I managed to stay at the same level all day.”
Reigning champion Felicia Stancil of the United States bowed out in the semi-finals.
Mahieu justifies favouritism as France run riot
The men's elite category saw a number of big names, including Olympic gold medallist Niek Kimmann, reigning world champion Simon Marquart and Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Kye Whyte, go out in the semi-finals.
France had no fewer than five riders in the final and it was World Cup leader Romain Mahieu who came out on top after getting away best from the inside gate.
Two-time world champion Joris Daudet was close behind early on, but Arthur Pilard sneaked down his inside after the first turn to take second place.
And that was how it finished as France went one-two-three with Colombia’s two-time Olympic bronze medallist Carlos Ramirez in fourth.
Like Shriever, Mahieu was momentarily lost for words in his post-race interview, admitting, “I’m not sure I’ve realised what has just happened."
When asked about the strength of the French team with Paris 2024 on the horizon, he replied, “We just push each other. Everyone is good. Everyone can win, and we all want to beat each other.”
Both races saw riders earn significant ranking points in the race for places at Paris 2024.