BMX Freestyle has become increasingly popular recently. After all, the number of people who enjoy extreme sports is growing. So if you like impressive bike jumps and maneuvers, you need to know more about this sport. In this article we’ll show you the biggest names in BMX freestyle cycling today!
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Biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today: historical context
BMX, also known as bicicross, is the most recent form of cycling. It emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, while the more traditional disciplines, such as road and track, were already part of the Olympic Games.
The origin of BMX is linked to the admiration of young Americans for MotoCross.
The desire to replicate their idols’ maneuvers, combined with the lack of suitable equipment, led these youngsters to use bicycles on dirt tracks. Thus, Bicycle Moto Cross, or simply BMX, was born.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today are!
Much more accessible and simpler to practice than MotoCross, BMX quickly gained popularity, especially among young people.
In the 1970s, the first BMX federation was created in the United States.
In 1981, the International BMX Federation was created and the following year the first World Championships were held in Dayton in the United States, where all the champions were Americans.
In 1993, the International Cycling Union (UCI) began to regulate the sport.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling are today!
BMX competitions are held in heats of 8 athletes each, up to the final. The bikes used have 20″ rim wheels, one gear and one brake.
The start is made from a platform about 10 meters high, and the athletes face obstacles along the track until they cross the finish line.
BMX made its debut at the Olympic Games in Beijing-2008, with both men’s and women’s races.
In Rio de Janeiro-2016, it will be the third time that BMX has distributed medals at an edition of the Games.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today are!
Biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today: rules and disciplines
BMX Freestyle is made up of different disciplines, including Park, Street, Vert and Flatland, each with its own unique characteristics and styles.
In Park, athletes perform maneuvers on ramps and obstacles on a closed track.
In Street, they use urban elements such as handrails and stairs.
Vert involves performing tricks on a vertical half-moon, while Flatland is performed on apartment surfaces with a focus on balance and control.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today are!
During the competitions, riders have a limited amount of time to perform their tricks and are assessed by a panel of judges.
The evaluation criteria include the difficulty of the maneuvers, execution, originality and style. Each successful maneuver contributes to the athlete’s final score.
Biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today: curiosities
The only two-time champion
In Valmiera, Latvia, Maris Strombergs is revered as a sporting icon. His remarkable success is linked to the inclusion of BMX in the Olympic Games.
Strombergs is the only BMX athlete to stand on the podium at both Beijing-2008 and London-2012.
Not only did he stand on the podium, but he also secured the gold medal in both editions, becoming the first two-time Olympic champion in BMX history.
In 2008, in China, Strombergs completed the course in 36s190, beating the Americans Mike Day (silver, 36s606) and Donny Robinson (bronze, 36s972).
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today are!
In London-2012, he defended his title with a time of 37s576. Australia’s Sam Willoughby took silver (37s929), while Colombia’s Carlos Mario Oquendo Zabala won bronze (38s251).
Diversity on the podium
BMX cycling has distributed 12 medals in the history of the Olympic Games, reflecting a significant diversity of countries among the medal winners.
Of the 12 podiums, 7 were occupied by athletes from different nations. The United States leads the way in the number of medals, with 2 silver and 1 bronze, all won at Beijing-2008, although they have yet to win gold.
In addition to the USA, France, Latvia and Colombia stand out for their achievements in BMX.
Frenchwomen Anne-Caroline Chausson and Laetitia Le Corguille won gold and silver respectively in the women’s race in 2008.
Maris Strombergs won gold for Latvia in 2008 and 2012. In England, Colombia shone with Mariana Pajón’s gold in the women’s race and Carlos Mario Oquendo Zabala’s bronze in the men’s.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today are!
Biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today (Male – World)
Logan Martin (Australia)
Won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and continues to be a dominant force in international competitions.
Daniel Dhers (Venezuela)
Known for his consistency and creativity.
Brandon Loupos (Australia)
The athlete has impressed with his technical and aggressive maneuvers.
Today’s biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling (Male – Brazil)
Douglas Leite
Known for his daring maneuvers and fluid style, he has been a constant representative of Brazil at global events.
Cauan Madona
Known for his technical skills and creativity, he has also put Brazil on the BMX Freestyle map.
Biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today (Female – World)
Hannah Roberts (United States)
She is one of the biggest stars of BMX Freestyle, having won several medals at world championships and the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Nikita Ducarroz (Switzerland)
She has stood out with her consistent and innovative performances.
Biggest names in BMX Freestyle Cycling today (Female – Brazil)
Julia Alves
She has stood out in national competitions with her precise maneuvers and bold style.
Sabrina Oliveira
Known for her dedication and rapid progression, she is becoming an important figure on the Brazilian sports scene.
Which athletes have a chance of medaling at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Logan Martin and Hannah Roberts are expected to remain strong contenders for the podium, given their experience and track record of success.
In Brazil, Douglas Leite and Julia Alves are promising, with great chances of representing the country competitively and seeking medals.
BMX Freestyle, with its radical origins and constant evolution, continues to capture the imagination of fans and athletes around the world.
With its spectacular maneuvers and relentless pursuit of perfection, this sport offers a unique combination of adrenaline and art.
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