French Firepower & Shriever joins the Three Timer Club: 2025 UCI BMX World Championships

The 2025 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, delivered one of the most compelling weekends in recent BMX history. Dominant performances by the French men across all classes and a triumphant third Elite World title for Bethany Shriever headlined an event packed with speed, skill, and international intensity.

Here’s a full breakdown of who ruled the rainbow in Copenhagen. 

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MEN'S DOMINANCE: ELITE, U23, AND JUNIOR TITLES GO TO FRANCE

Men Elite: Arthur Pilard Breaks Through

Arthur Pilard (FRA) stormed out of the gate in the Elite Men’s final and never looked back, riding a clean, aggressive lap to secure his first Elite World Title. With Eddy Clerté grabbing bronze and Joris Daudet finishing just outside the medals, France’s Elite presence was impossible to ignore with five Frenchmen in the final. Izaac Kennedy (AUS) spoiled the sweep with his second-place finish, but the French team’s continued dominance is impossible to ignore.

Podium:

• 🥇 Arthur Pilard (FRA)

• 🥈 Izaac Kennedy (AUS)

• 🥉 Eddy Clerté (FRA)

Men U23: France Against the Favorites

In the Men’s U23 final, Alexis Pieczanowsky (FRA) capitalized on a dramatic moment in the third straight to take the win and secure the World Championship title. After Josh Jolly (AUS) bonked slightly coming out of turn two, Pieczanowsky seized the opportunity with a clean pass that would ultimately earn him the gold. Jolly held on for silver after leading much of the lap, while Jason Noordam (NED) stayed smooth and consistent to claim the bronze.

Podium:

• 🥇 Alexis Pieczanowsky (FRA)

• 🥈 Josh Jolly (AUS)

• 🥉 Jason Noordam (NED)

Men Junior: One-Two Punch from France

France’s Evan Oliviera and Clément Rocherieux owned the Junior Men’s class, finishing 1–2 in a commanding fashion and confirming that the French development system is producing stars across generations. 

Podium:

• 🥇 Evan Oliviera (FRA)

• 🥈 Clément Rocherieux (FRA)

• 🥉 Lucas Zhou (CAN)

BETHANY SHRIEVER: THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION

The Elite Women’s class saw British star Bethany Shriever claim her third world title, backing up her 2021 and 2023 wins. From the gate drop to the finish line, Shriever was untouchable—holding off Saya Sakakibara (AUS) and Judy Baauw (NED) to win by almost a full second.

After the heartbreak of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shriever’s performance was not just a win—it was a statement.

Podium:

• 🥇 Bethany Shriever (GBR)

• 🥈 Saya Sakakibara (AUS)

• 🥉 Judy Baauw (NED)

RISING TALENT: U23 AND JUNIOR WOMEN

Women U23: Dutch 1-2 Invigorates the Future of the Orange Jersey

In the U23 Women’s final, Michelle Wissing (NED) delivered a flawless performance from gate to finish, riding with a level of confidence and control that made it clear she was the class of the field in Copenhagen. Her teammate Renske Van Santvoort (NED) followed with a powerful ride of her own, securing silver and giving the Netherlands a well-earned one-two finish, while Marie Favrel (FRA) rounded out the podium with a gritty third-place effort..

Podium:

• 🥇 Michelle Wissing (NED)

• 🥈 Renske Van Santvoort (ned)

• 🥉 Marie Favrel (FRA)

Junior Women: Greenough's KIWI Speed

Lily Greenough (NZL) rose to the occasion in the Junior  Women’s final, delivering a poised and powerful performance to claim her first World Championship title. Controlling the race from the opening straight, Greenough made a bold statement for New Zealand on the international stage. Close behind, Elsa Rendall Todd (GBR) charged through the pack to secure silver, while Alexis Alden (USA) rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish, passing France’s Lola De Oliveira, who went OTB just before the line.

Podium:

• 🥇 Lily Greenough (NZL)

• 🥈 Elsa Rendall Todd (GBR)

• 🥉 Alexis Alden (USA)

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Key Takeaways from Copenhagen

• France completed a sweep of all men’s titles—Elite, U23, and Junior—a continued statement of dominance.

• Bethany Shriever’s third rainbow jersey confirms her as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

• Breakthroughs from Evan Olivera and Alexis Pieczanowsky in the Junior and U23 Men’s classes show the depth of French talent ready to take their shot in the coming decade.

• Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands remain strong challengers across the board.

Looking Ahead

With Olympic qualifying points on the line and momentum shifting in favor of nations like France and Great Britain, the 2025 World Championships reshaped the BMX landscape. From hometown heroes to international icons, Copenhagen crowned the sport’s present—and spotlighted its future.

Next stop: The World Cup Tour returns to Santiago del Estero in September, while the USA BMX Pro Series charges toward Tulsa with four stops left in the series.