Roman Joworsky (Las Vegas, N.V.) just missed the title in the 10 boys main, finishing second. The U.S. team suffered a rare near-podium miss in the 11 boys division with Shayne Lewis (Chula Vista, Calif.) in fifth.
The only American to enter the 12 boys competition, Michael Gonzales (Watsonville, Calif.) pulled through with the world title as did his neighbor Ryan Pettigrew (Watsonville, Calif.) in the 13 boys main. Pettigrew however was joined by Myles Wamsley (Hendersonville, N.V.) and Spencer Martin (Clifton Park, N.Y.) in the 13 year-old final. Reigning 13 boys world champ Collin Hudson (Longmont, Colo.) again pulled out the title in 2011, this time in the 14 year-old bracket.
After being unable to bring home any world titles from South Africa last year, the young American ladies showed the growth of girls BMX in the U.S. as both Leinani Peralata (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Jordan Scott (Henderson, N.V.) earned world titles Wednesday in the 9 and 10 year-old girls divisions respectively. After being crowned USA Cycling BMX national champion in April Leyna Jones (Oxnard, Calif.) also scored silver in the 9 girls division to bring the U.S. girls' medal count to three on the opening day of competition.
The second day of the UCI BMX World Champs will feature challenge class finals for the 15 and over juniors and the masters classes, followed by the elite junior men's and women's practice in the afternoon. In all 2,200 BMX-riders from 38 countries are racing for gold in 44 challenge classes and four elite classes over five days of competition in Copenhagen.
Results BMX Challange classes:
5-6 Boys
1. Jacob Mitchell (GBR)
2. Daniel Jarrin (ECU)
3. Magnus Doj (DEN)
7 Boys
1. Lachlan Stevens-McNab (NZL)
2. Ondrej Matejik (BEL)
3. Wannes Magdelijns (BEL)
8 Boys
1. Jack Kelly (Salt Lake City, Utah)
2. Kohl Piluso (Chico, Calif.)
3. Rico Bearman (NZL)
9 Boys
1. Julian Dittrick (Phoenix, Ariz.)
2. Andres Papajohn (Gardnerville, N.V.)
3. Ronalds Ritins (LAT)
10 Boys
1. Matthew Denslow (ZIM)
2. Roman Joworsky (Las Vegas, N.V.)
3. Edvards Glazers (LAT)
11 Boys
1. Matia Jesus Brizeula (ARG)
2. Carlos Javier Zuluaga Melo (COL)
3. Pjotr Paeshuyse (BEL)
12 Boys
1. Michael Gonzales (Watsonville, Calif.)
2, Richard Holec (CZE)
3. Axel Webster (GER)
13 Boys
1. Ryan Pettigrew (USA)
2. Daichi Yamaguchi (JPN)
3. Justin Kimmann (NED)
14 Boys
1. Collin Hudson (USA)
2. Juna Carlos Diaz Cerna (COL)
3. Romain Racine (FRA)
5-7 Girls
1. Kjelle Poets (BEL)
2. Regina McGee (AUS)
3. Alyssa Van Den Heuvel (NED)
8 Girls
1. Francesca Cingolani (ARG)
2. Mia Christensen (DEN)
3. Ngahina Pene (NZL)
9 Girls
1. Leinani Peralata (Bakersfield, Calif.)
2. Leyna Jones (Oxnard, Calif.)
3. Desree Barnes (AUS)
10 Girls
1. Jordan Scott (Henderson, N.V.)
2. Indy Scheepers (NED)
3. Kaly Harcourt (NZL)
11 Girls
1, Mathilde Bernard (FRA)
2. Maite Naves Barreto (BRA)
3. Kim Baptista (GBR)
12 Girls
1. Sae Hatakeyama (JPN)
2. Vineta Petersone (LAT)
3. Saya Sakakibara (JPN)
13 Girls
1. Merel Smulders (NED)
2. Axelle Etienne (FRA)
3. Karo Vertessen (BEL)
14 Girls
1. Margot Hetmanczyk (FRA)
2. Tahlia Hansen (NZL)
3. Daina Ruchscherer (CAN)