In the junior women's final, Netherland's Merle van Benthem again grabbed the holeshot from the start and beat off the challenge of Crain who was closing the gap. Crain settled for the silver while Australian Melinda McLeod finished third. Taylor Wolcott (Roseville, Calif./Tangent) also had a strong showing in the junior women's contest finishing just out of the medals in fourth.
The medals mark the first major success for USA Cycling's newly implemented BMX Women's Development Program
One of several pre-race favorites, Connor Fields (Henderson, Nev./Free Agent-Rockstar) was leading the junior men's final before a slip up on the rhythm section caused him not to finish and settle for eighth place. Frenchman Sylvain Andre went on to win the junior men's world title. After qualifying third, American Corben Sharrah (Tucson, Ariz./Redman-Rockstar), who earned World Cup bronze medal in the elite men's division earlier in the season, was unable to make the final.
Youngsters Denzel Stein (Desoto, Texas/Redline Bicycles) and Joshua Meyers (Treasure Island, Fla./Factory S Squared-Troy Lee Designs) did not make the elite men's main. Stein and Meyers were added to the U.S. squad after former world champions Donny Robinson (Napa, Calif./Hyper-Monster Energy) and Kyle Bennett (Conroe, Texas/Free Agent-Rock Star) were unable to compete due to injury. This year's competition marks the first time the United States has not brought home a medal from the men's championship portion of the UCI BMX World Championships in nearly a decade.
ELITE MEN:
1. Maris Strombergs (LAT) 38.391
2. Sifiso Nhlapo (RSA) +0.487 2,
3. Joris Daudet (FRA) +0.686
4. Thomas Hamon (FRA) +1.340
5. Raymon Van der Biezen (NED) +1.487
6. Marc Willers (NZL) +1:01.301
7. Sam Willoughby (AUS) +1:01.349
8. Khalen Young (AUS) +1:01.414
WOMEN:
1. Shanaze Reade (GBR) 38.819
2. Sarah Walker (NZL) +1.096
3. Alise Post (St. Cloud, Minn.) +1.624
4. Annelie Despeaux (FRA) +2.986
5. Aneta Hladikova (CZE) +3.411
6. Rachel Bracken (AUS) +4.212
7. Laetitia le Corguille (FRA) +34.963
8. Arielle Martin (Pleasant Grove, Utah)
JUNIOR MEN:
1. Sylvian Andre (FRA) 38.822
2. Kristers Lejins (LAT) +1.012
3. Twan van Gendt (NED) +1.407
4. David Oquendo Zabala (COL) +1.639
5. Matthew Dunsworth (AUS) +2.033
6. Niclas Laustsen (DEN) +2.462
7. Taims Kristers (LAT) +13.667
8. Connor Fields (Henderson, Nev.)
JUNIOR WOMEN:
1. Merle Von Bentheim (NED) 40.946
2. Brooke Crain (Visalia, Calif.) +0.158
3. Melinda Mcleod (AUS) +0.658
4. Taylor Wolcott (Roseville, Calif.) +1.394
5. Enora le Roux (FRA) +3.626
6. Bianca Quinalha (BRA) +3.811
7. Mayara Perez (BRA) +8.189
8. Kirsten Dellar (AUS) +32.572