Hold on tight, because the 2025 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships are about to explode onto the scene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia! From November 4th to 8th, the world's most daring riders will defy gravity, pushing the limits of what's possible on two wheels. Get ready for a spectacle of style, innovation, and pure adrenaline.
Photo credit: Tim deWaele/Getty Images
By Matt Nelsen
Published: November 1, 2025, 06:58 GMT+0
Reading time: Approximately 4 minutes
The anticipation is building to a fever pitch as the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships make their debut in Riyadh, the vibrant capital of Saudi Arabia. This isn't just another competition; it's a showcase of human potential, where athletes transform concrete landscapes into canvases of aerial artistry.
Across five action-packed days, competitors will battle for a staggering 12 world titles across two distinct disciplines. First up is BMX freestyle, a dazzling display of aerial acrobatics divided into park and flatland categories. Then there’s cycling trials, a non-Olympic discipline that demands unwavering balance, precision, and nerve as riders navigate seemingly impossible obstacles. Think gravity-defying leaps, intricate balancing acts, and split-second decisions that separate champions from also-rans.
Prepare to witness a mind-blowing barrage of inversions, bar spins that defy explanation, tail whips that redefine physics, and bodyvarials that will leave you questioning reality. The world's elite urban cyclists are converging on what promises to be one of the most spectacular cycling arenas ever constructed. But here's where it gets controversial... some argue that hosting the event in Saudi Arabia clashes with the sport's image of freedom and counter-culture. Where do you stand on this?
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the 2025 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships, including the athletes to watch, a detailed schedule, and how you can catch all the action live from Riyadh.
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UCI Urban Cycling World Championships 2025: The Ones to Watch
In the exhilarating realm of BMX freestyle, progression isn't just a goal; it's the driving force. And few riders have shattered boundaries like Great Britain's Kieran Reilly. He's not just a rider; he's an innovator, constantly pushing the envelope of what's possible on a BMX bike.
Reilly cemented his legendary status by landing the world's first 'triple flair' back in 2022 – a mind-bending maneuver that redefined the sport. But he didn't stop there. Earlier this year, he unleashed the first-ever 720 triple tail whip and a 540 triple tail whip to bar spin in competition, further solidifying his position as a true pioneer.
With a trophy cabinet overflowing with accolades, including a silver medal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Reilly enters the competition in Riyadh as a top contender. But and this is the part most people miss...the pressure of being the favorite can be a heavy burden. Can he handle the heat?
Of course, he'll face fierce competition from Olympic champions Jose Torres Gil and Logan Martin, both armed with an arsenal of tricks ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. And don't underestimate seasoned veterans like Anthony Jeanjean and Justin Dowell, especially in the notoriously competitive men's park event.
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Angie Marino, a celebrated icon in the BMX world, is renowned not only for her exceptional athleticism but also for her unwavering advocacy for equality among female riders. She's a true role model, inspiring countless young women to pursue their passion for BMX.
In the women's competition, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on Hannah Roberts. After overcoming a challenging training injury at Paris 2024, the 24-year-old American sensation bounced back to claim her sixth world title in Abu Dhabi last year. Talk about resilience!
While an elusive Olympic gold medal remains on her bucket list (she secured silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and finished eighth at Paris 2024), Roberts has consistently dominated the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships. In seven appearances, she's never finished off the podium, with her only defeat coming at the hands of her teammate, Paris 2024 silver medalist Perris Benegas, in 2018.
With Benegas and Paris 2024 Olympic champion Deng Yawen absent from the roster, Roberts' toughest challenge in Riyadh may come from the formidable trio of Sibei Sun, Fan Xiaotong, and Sun Jiaqi, representing the People's Republic of China. These riders are hungry for victory and represent the future of the sport.
Olympic medalists Nikita Ducarroz and Natalya Diehm will also be eager to showcase their skills as BMX freestyle embarks on its third Olympic cycle, with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games rapidly approaching.
UCI Urban Cycling World Championships 2025: Full Schedule
All times are local (GMT +3)
Tuesday, November 4th
- 15:00-16:30: Trials - Mixed team event
Wednesday, November 5th
- 10:00-11:00: Trials - Men’s junior 26 semi-finals
- 13:00-15:00: Trials - Men’s junior 20 semi-finals
- 16:00-17:00: Trials - Women’s junior semi-finals
- 18:00-20:00: Trials - Women’s elite semi-finals
Thursday, November 6th
- 10:00-13:00: BMX Freestyle - Men’s flatland qualification
- 11:00-15:00: Trials - Men’s elite 26 semi-finals
- 12:15-20:30: BMX Freestyle - Men’s park qualification
- 13:00-15:00: BMX Freestyle - Women’s flatland qualification
- 16:00-20:00: Trials - Men’s elite 20 semi-finals
Friday, November 7th
- 08:00-14:30: BMX Freestyle - Women’s park qualification
- 15:00-16:00: BMX Freestyle - Women’s flatland final
- 16:00-17:15: Trials - Women’s junior finals
- 16:30-19:00: BMX Freestyle - Men’s park semi-finals
- 17:30-18:45: Trials - Men’s junior 26 finals
- 19:00-20:15: Trials - Men’s junior 20 finals
- 20:00-21:30: BMX Freestyle - Men’s flatland finals
Saturday, November 8th
- 11:00-13:30: BMX Freestyle - Women’s park semi-finals
- 11:45-13:15: Trials - Women’s elite finals
- 13:15-14:45: Trials - Men’s elite 26 finals
- 14:45-16:15: Trials - Men’s elite 20 finals
- 17:30-19:00: BMX Freestyle - Women’s park finals
- 20:00-21:30: BMX Freestyle - Men’s park finals
UCI Urban Cycling World Championships 2025: How to Watch Live
As of now, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) hasn't officially announced the television channels and streaming services that will broadcast the 2025 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships.
We'll update this article as soon as the information becomes available. In the meantime, you can check the UCI's website for updates.
Now it's your turn! Who are you most excited to watch at the championships? And what are your thoughts on holding the event in Saudi Arabia? Let us know in the comments below!
