The UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Abu Dhabi delivered days filled with BMX Freestyle action, starting with extended practice sessions and elimination rounds in BMX Park and Flatland. By the final day, despite a slightly shorter schedule, the intensity remained high. With the Women’s Flatland Finals kicking off at 9:00 AM and the Men’s Park podium ceremony scheduled for 8:30 PM, it was another packed day of competition. Watching the world’s top athletes compete in the Flatland and Park finals made every moment worth it.
The morning began with a challenge: overnight dew had transformed the flatland platform into a slick surface, requiring extensive squeegee work to prepare the course in time for the Women’s Flatland Final. The event became a fierce contest between nations, with Hungary and Japan each fielding two riders in the finals. While the Japanese riders entered as top qualifiers, Hungary’s competitors weren’t backing down. A surprising off-day for top qualifier Kirara Nakagawa (JPN) saw her finish in fourth, paving the way for Hungary’s Anna Mondics and Veronika Kadar to secure podium finishes. Veronika delivered an impressive run to take second place, but Japan’s Ayuna Miyashima claimed the top spot, becoming the 2024 UCI BMX Flatland World Champion.
In the Men’s Flatland Final, the stakes were high as eight riders vied for the title. The talent on display electrified the crowd, with flawless execution being the key to victory. Matthias Dandois (FRA), in what he announced as his final world stage competition, put down a near-perfect run to score 90.67,
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.