The 2026 UEC BMX Racing European Championships and European Challenge were a huge success in Sarrians (France), bringing together 2331 athletes from 27 countries over three days of competition.
These figures confirm the steady growth of sport across the continent and the leading role played by BMX Racing on the European cycling scene.
In the Men’s Elite category, France’s Mathis Ragot Richard successfully defended the title he won last year in Valmiera. In second place coming out of the final bend, he launched a decisive attack on the home straight, overtaking his compatriot Jérémy Rencurel to secure a magnificent victory in front of his home crowd. Third place went to French champion Léo Garoyan, completing an all-French podium.
In the Women’s Elite race, the Dutch rider Laura Smulders won convincingly, returning to the top step of the European podium for the first time since 2018 and claiming the fourth continental title of her career. She finished ahead of the Swiss rider Zoé Claessens and the French rider Axelle Etienne.
In the Men’s Under-23 event, Switzerland secured a one-two finish with Mark Lüthi taking the win ahead of his compatriot Alexandre Emmel, whilst France’s Léo Le Bougeant claimed the bronze medal.
In the Under-23 Women’s event, the European title was won by the Dutch rider Renske Van Santvoort, who finished ahead of Latvia’s Veronika Monika Sturiska and France’s Laura Mougey.
There was also great satisfaction for Italy in the Men’s Juniors category, thanks to a magnificent one-two finish by Marco Del Tongo, the new European champion, and Alex Chiandetti, who took silver. Switzerland’s David Ferreira took third place on the podium.
In the Junior Women’s category, the European title was won by the British rider Elsa Rendall Todd, ahead of the French riders Léonie Burgel and Camille Brouchier.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: “The 2026 UEC European BMX Racing Championships have been a resounding success. The more than 2,300 participants who took part over the three days are the best testament to the strength and dynamism of the European BMX movement.
This is a robust movement, one that is constantly growing, and one in which the Union Européenne de Cyclisme will continue to invest and focus its efforts in the future.
Sarrians has once again established itself as a global benchmark in BMX racing, thanks to top-class organisation and a venue that embodies international excellence.
I would like to thank BMX Sarrians, led by Stéphane Garcia, as well as all its staff and volunteers, who have once again demonstrated great skill, unwavering passion and solid organisation.
We would also like to extend our warmest thanks to the Town of Sarrians for the warm welcome extended to the entire European cycling family, as well as to the French Cycling Federation, with its President Michel Callot, who continues to stand out for his constant commitment and his valuable contribution to the development of all cycling disciplines.
Thanks to everyone’s efforts, these European Championships will go down as a benchmark event in both sporting and organisational terms.”
The next edition of the UEC BMX Racing European Championships will take place in Heusden-Zolder (Belgium) from 9 to 11 July 2027.
