Urban Cycling World Championships 2025: All You Need To Know

The UCI Urban Cycling World Championships 2025 arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is the first time that the event is being held in the Middle East.

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The world’s best riders will descend on the Saudi capital from 4–8 November. Up for grabs are 12 world titles across BMX freestyle and cycling trials.

Urban Cycling World Championships 2025: Athletes To Watch

Men’s Freestyle

Few riders have redefined BMX freestyle progression like Kieran Reilly. The British phenom made headlines in 2022 when he landed the world’s first triple flair– a mind-bending combination that cemented his status as one of the sport’s boldest innovators.

Since then, Reilly has kept raising the bar, recently landing the first-ever 720 triple tail whip and 540 triple tail whip to bar spin in competition. Add a silver medal from the Paris 2024 Olympics, and he enters Riyadh as the man to beat at Urban Cycling World Championships 2025.

But the competition is fierce. Jose Torres Gil of Argentina, the reigning Olympic champion, brings explosive amplitude and style, while Australia’s Logan Martin- Olympic gold medallist from Tokyo 2020- remains one of the most consistent and technically gifted riders in the field. France’s Anthony Jeanjean and the USA’s Justin Dowell also lurk as major threats, with both riders known for delivering under pressure when it counts most.

Women’s Freestyle

On the women’s side, all eyes will be on Hannah Roberts, the 24-year-old American who has become the face of women’s BMX freestyle. After recovering from a training injury before Paris 2024, Roberts stormed back to win her sixth world title in Abu Dhabi last year. Her mix of power, flow, and technical precision makes her a perennial favorite- and she’s never finished off the podium in seven appearances at the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships.

With key rivals Perris Benegas (USA) and Deng Yawen (CHN), the reigning Olympic champion, absent from this year’s start list, Roberts could be on track for another golden run. Still, a talented new generation is fast approaching- including China’s Sibei Sun, Fan Xiaotong, and Sun Jiaqi, all capable of challenging for the podium. Olympic medallists Nikita Ducarroz (Switzerland) and Natalya Diehm (Australia) will also be eager to make their mark as the road to LA 2028 begins to take shape.

Trials and Flatland

Beyond the freestyle fireworks, the cycling trials and flatland events will spotlight the sport’s technical and creative sides. Riders will navigate brutal obstacle courses and execute perfectly balanced spins, stalls, and pivots that push the boundaries of control. It’s an art form disguised as athleticism- and one that continues to evolve year after year.