Gilchrist brings pump track world championship title back to the bike scene

The world's best pump track riders came to KwaMashu in South Africa, a vibrant township on the north coast of Durban, to compete for the world titles at the Velosolutions UCI Pumptrack World Championships. After hard-fought races in both the men's and women's categories, mountain biker Ryan Gilchrist from Australia and BMXer Sabina Košárková from the Czech Republic demonstrated exceptional speed, skill and determination to claim the coveted rainbow stripes.

The men's final was an all-Australian showdown between Ryan Gilchrist and AJ Donald, who had prevailed in intense rounds. In the small final, 2023 World Champion Alec Bob (USA) defeated Eddy Clerte (FRA) to secure third place, while Clerte finished fourth.

The spectators watched intently as the two elite riders went head-to-head, both determined to claim the top spot on the podium. In the final, Gilchrist rode the fastest lap of the day (17.028 seconds) to take the top spot.

"Being world champion is probably the best feeling of my life. 2024 has already been a memorable year: E-Enduro World Cup overall, Crankworx and now a rainbow jersey. Not everything went perfectly today. It was all about working towards the final and I was thrilled that I was getting faster and faster in the laps. The rainbow jersey has been on my wish list since I was ten years old and to win it on a mountain bike is incredible."

Gilchrist is the first mountain biker since Tommy Zula at the first Pumptrack World Championships to take the title.

In the women's final, Sabina Košárková and Switzerland's Nadine Aeberhard competed with equal intensity and pushed each other to the limit. In the previous semi-final, they achieved better times than Vineta Petersone (LAT) and Kristina Madarásová (SVK), who finished third and fourth respectively.

"My strategy was to stay consistent. I put in really solid laps to stay under 19 seconds. I trained a lot more than in the last two years. I knew what I was missing was the mental side and I stayed very calm during the races. Hearing the Czech anthem on the podium and getting my rainbow stripes was very special. I still can't believe I'm world champion!"

Results

Men

Ryan Gilchrist (AUS)
AJ Donald (AUS)
Alec Bob (USA)
Eddy Clerte (FRA)

Women

Sabina Košárková (CZE)
Nadine Aeberhard (SUI)
Vineta Petersone (LAT)
Kristina Madarásová (SVK)

The Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships, held in partnership with Pump for Peace and the GO!Durban Academy, 64 athletes from 16 countries took part in KwaMashu. Ahead of the main event, participants were able to experience the natural beauty, culture and energy of the city of eThekwini as part of a week-long program of courses and local tours.

pumptrackworldchampionships.com