Final Gates, Global Glory

It all comes down to this—the final day of racing at the UCI BMX World Championships. After a week packed with intensity, emotion, and world-class riding, the spotlight turns to the last round of Challenge class finals. This is where preparation meets pressure. Riders, sharpened by months of training, head to the gate with nothing left to hold back. Skills are dialed, speeds are peaking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

A total of 818 riders from across the globe loaded into the chutes, each one chasing a single goal. But when the final gate dropped and the dust finally settled, only 11 riders would earn the ultimate honor: the W1 plate. It’s the kind of moment young athletes dream about—one race, one shot, one number plate that defines their season, maybe even their career.

On the track, familiar names and fresh faces lined up side by side. But in this moment, reputation alone meant nothing. No matter how big the name on the back of the jersey, what mattered most was the name on the front—the country, the community, and the pride they carried. And when the gate snapped, it wasn’t just about personal victory—it was national pride, raw passion, and the spirit of BMX Racing on full display.

Sending a surge through the grandstands, local favorite Anton Anthony delivered a wire-to-wire win in 17-24 Men, injecting pure adrenaline into the Danish crowd. His powerful performance earned Denmark its only medal in the Challenge classes—and it was gold. As he crossed the finish line, Anthony turned back toward the roaring crowd and brought them into his celebration, a moment of hometown pride that will echo long after the event.

Photo via Ricky Carter III

As the races continued and the Masters classes approached, U.S. fans had their own moment to celebrate. Montana’s Addison Thompson powered to a hard-earned silver in 16 Girls, finishing between Colombia’s speed duo, Guadalupe Palacios Palomeque and Valentina Jimenez Ramirez. Moments later, Northern California’s Kira Boustead added another silver for Team USA in a thrilling 15 Girls main, placing herself between the Netherlands’ dynamic pair, Jennifer Maerten and Jill Vogelpoel. Her U.S. teammate, Kate Thompson, rounded out the pack in a strong fourth-place finish.

Then came the finale. The crowd hushed. The gate was loaded. The Masters Men were ready.

With five USA BMX Pro Series regulars in the mix, the final race of the day exploded down the hill. Jeff Upshaw got the early pop into turn one, locking bars with Cory Freiswyk as they collided in the corner. Upshaw bumped off the Australian and led into the second straight, but he wasn’t alone for long. Germany’s Maik Baier reeled him in, and the two went bar-to-bar through turn two. As they leaned into one another and battled for space, the white line came and went—leaving both off the podium.

Capitalizing on the chaos was Cory Freiswyk, who regrouped and launched a late charge, putting Australia on top with a commanding win. Germany’s Roman Sablin followed close behind for silver, and the U.S.’s own Nic Long powered through for a hard-earned bronze.

As the dust settles and returns to its tire-marked resting place, the stage resets for what’s still to come. On Saturday and Sunday, the Junior, Under 23, and Elite riders will step onto the world’s biggest stage. The challenge riders may have set the bar—but now it’s time for the best of the best to take their shot at becoming World Champion in 2025.

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