Hannah Roberts, the United States’ BMX freestyle star, made an impressive comeback on Saturday by securing her fifth consecutive world title at the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Abu Dhabi. The victory marks a stunning rebound for the 22-year-old, who had been grappling with a disappointing finish at the Paris Olympics earlier this year.
Roberts set the tone early with a dominant performance, posting a 95.70-point score in her first run—a mark that no competitor could surpass. Her second run, which earned a score of 94.58, would have been enough to clinch the win as well. With this triumph, Roberts has now won six of the seven world titles since BMX freestyle was introduced to the competition in 2017.
This victory comes after a heartbreaking eighth-place finish at La Concorde in July, a setback that Roberts had to overcome. Despite the disappointment of the Olympic Games in Paris, where she did not secure the gold she was aiming for, Roberts remained determined and focused on her long-term goals.
The competition saw Chinese riders dominate the podium below Roberts, with Sun Sibei taking the silver and Fan Xiaotong securing the bronze. Notably, Paris Olympic champion Deng Yawen did not compete in the event.
In the men’s competition, Australian Logan Martin claimed his third world title, scoring 94.30 points on his second run. Martin, who also won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, cemented his place as one of BMX freestyle’s elite athletes. Argentina’s José Torres Gil earned silver with a strong 91.60-point first run, while American Justin Dowell took the bronze with a score of 90.74.
Both Roberts and Martin’s victories in Abu Dhabi were a testament to their resilience, as they each bounced back from disappointing Olympic performances earlier in 2024. Their success underscores their continued dominance in the sport of BMX freestyle.
Reflecting on her triumph, Roberts maintained a positive and forward-thinking outlook. Despite the setback in Paris, she remains focused on her growth and future goals, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“No matter what, I’m just stoked to be able to be doing this,” Roberts shared after her win. “It’s a dream come true. Obviously, the goal is to win the gold medal at the Olympics. But at the same time, it doesn’t need to happen. I have a very accomplished career at 22, and I’m just looking at continuing to get better no matter what.”
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