Motor Sport

Willoughby and Daudet crowned BMX race world champions

Ossie Khan

22nd May 2024 < 1 min read

May 19 (Reuters) – American Alise Willoughby was roared to victory at the BMX Racing World Championships in South Carolina on Saturday as she claimed the title for the third time in her career.

The 33-year-old Willoughby, Olympic silver-medallist in 2016, edged out pre-race favourite Saya Sakakibara (Australia) at Rock Hill to add to her titles from 2017 and 2019.

France’s Joris Daudet won the men’s senior title, powering ahead of Dutchman Niek Kimmann, winner of the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, to earn his third rainbow jersey.

Britain’s reigning Olympic and world champion Bethany Shriever failed to finish in the semi-final of the women’s elite competition, as did Colombian great Mariana Pajon.

With two of her biggest rivals missing in the final, Willoughby took full advantage to take gold in the last big event before the Paris Olympics.

“I always say this place has a special place in my heart and I wanted to deliver here,” Willoughby said.

“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.”

Daudet broke his collarbone at the start of the year, but showed his back to his beat in time for Paris, winning all his heats before dominating the final.

“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,” he said.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/cycling/willoughby-daudet-crowned-bmx-race-world-champions-2024-05-19/

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May 19 (Reuters) – American Alise Willoughby was roared to victory at the BMX Racing World Championships in South Carolina on Saturday as she claimed the title for the third time in her career. The 33-year-old Willoughby, Olympic silver-medallist in 2016, edged out pre-race favourite Saya Sakakibara (Australia) at Rock Hill to add to her […] Read More