Carolina Nationals Ready to Ignite Rock Hill

The USA BMX Pro Series rolls into one of the sport’s most iconic venues this weekend as the USA BMX Carolina Nationals takes over Rock Hill, South Carolina, for three days of high-speed, bar-to-bar racing. As the second stop of the Pro Series calendar, the stakes are already growing, and the big hill at Rock Hill is ready to host some of the fastest racers on the planet.

Previewing the speed for the weekend, the USA Cycling Elite National Championships race around the track on Friday to sow in this season's American flag sleeve. While almost all classes will pit the defending National Champion against the pack, the Elite Men class will see a new rider don the title, as Cam Wood continues his recovery from off-season surgeries. Anything could happen around Rock Hill, but we will be looking towards Kamren Larsen, Drew Polk, and Rayne Lankford to lead laps and lead the fight for the 2026 USAC Sleeve.

Headlining the Men Pro class is a stacked international lineup featuring hometown Pro Kam Larsen, Joris Daudet, Izaak Kennedy, and Romain Mahieu. Each brings elite-level power and precision to one of the most familiar tracks on the circuit, setting the stage for what could be an early-season showdown with major Title implications. Rock Hill’s supercross layout rewards riders who can combine explosive speed with perfect timing, meaning the margins between victory and heartbreak will be razor-thin.

But all eyes will be on one rider in particular.

For the first time since his unforgettable win at the 2024 World Championships and his gold-medal performance leading the French trio to the Olympic podium, Joris Daudet returns to the same Rock Hill track where he cemented his place in BMX history. The French superstar has long thrived on big stages, and his return adds a layer of anticipation to an already electric weekend. Fans know his dominance, his speed, and his legacy making nerves, and now they’ll see if Daudet can once again command the Carolina slurry against a field hungry to have their time out front.

On the Women Pro side, the racing promises to be just as intense. Rising stars and proven contenders like Molly Simpson, Payton Ridenour, and Lexis Colby will battle for valuable early-season points as the championship picture begins to take shape. Each rider brings a unique style to the track, and with momentum building toward the heart of the season, every lap in Rock Hill matters.

However, one major storyline this weekend comes from who won’t be on the gate.

After a crash during training last week, Daleny Vaughn will be sidelined and unable to compete in Rock Hill. Her absence leaves a noticeable gap in the Women Pro field after a pair of podiums at the season opener. Vaughn has been a consistent threat on the circuit, and fans will undoubtedly feel her absence as the class reshuffles without one of its key contenders.

Rock Hill has long been a cornerstone of American BMX, and when the Pro Series rolls into town, the atmosphere is closer to a Major than a regular stop. With Olympic champions, rising challengers, and championship points on the line, the weekend promises big gates, big moments, and the kind of racing that reminds everyone why BMX is one of the most explosive sports on two wheels.

Buckle up, Rock Hill is ready.