By Aaron Cordy
AS riders from around the country cut practise laps around the Shepparton BMX track, on day one of the 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships on Thursday, April 16, AusCycling and Greater Shepparton City Council announced that the two rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup will be held in Shepparton in 2028, ahead of the Olympic Games.
“Greater Shepparton is a community that backs sport, with international events like the UCI BMX Racing World Cup inspiring the next generation of riders, showing local kids that world-level sport can happen right here in regional Victoria,” said Cr Sali.
The UCI BMX Racing World Cup are the world’s premier BMX Racing series. Shepparton BMX Track will host the third and fourth rounds of the global competition on February 19 and 20, 2028. The Victorian Government has supported this event through its Regional Events Fund.
Marne Fechner, AusCycling’s CEO, said the announcement strengthened Australia’s reputation as a leading nation for cycling and riding.
“We are delighted to welcome the UCI BMX Racing World Cup back to Australian soil, creating an opportunity to showcase Shepparton and Victoria as a world-class host of major events.
“Hosting the UCI BMX Racing World Cup will be extremely beneficial for Australian athletes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It’s also a win for Australian fans and supporters, who will have the chance to watch the world’s best BMX Racing athletes in action.”
The 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships attracted close to 2,000 of Australia’s best athletes, including defending champion and Shepparton local Hayden Fletcher, and Olympic gold medallist and three-time overall winner of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup, Saya Sakakibara.
“I’m very excited. I think it’s one of the best first straights in Australia. I think because it’s so long, there’s three jumps, but then there’s also lots of pedalling in between as well. So, it makes some really good racing,” said Saya on competing in Shepparton.
“I was blown away with how good it looks. I think Shepparton has always done that over the years. This isn’t my first time here. I think the first time was in 2009, so it’s changed a lot since then. But I really do notice that the council, the town, really gets behind the event compared to other regions.”
