Shriever, Whyte, and Cullen lead Great Britain Cycling Team at 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships
Defending world champion Beth Shriever headlines the 10-strong GBCT squad heading to Brisbane, Australia to challenge for the rainbow bands at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July.
Three-time world champion Shriever heads down under hoping to create history, aiming to be the first elite woman to win four BMX racing world titles.
Kye Whyte and Ross Cullen return to represent GBCT at another world championships. Whyte will be looking to rectify an unfortunate result at last year’s event, where he was knocked out in the quarter finals. Cullen, who missed out on the 2025 world championship due to injury, will be looking to build upon his positive start to the season.
Matthew Gilston will compete in his first world championship in the elite category, following on from his debut in the same category last month at the European championship in Sarrians which saw him make his first elite semi-final.
Betsy Bax and Sienna Harvey look to challenge for the podium in their second world championship at under-23 level, with both carrying multiple top 16 world cup finishes from early this season.
Ben Cornish is the sole representative in the under-23 men’s category, hoping to make his mark in his first world championship at that level.
Upcoming stars, Elsa Rendall-Todd and Freia Challis will contest the junior women’s title in Brisbane, with both riders in fine form. Challis sits third in the under-23 women’s world cup standings, whilst Rendall Todd will go into the event with confidence, after triumphing in the European Championsihps junior women’s race in June. Rendall Todd will be further hoping to go one better than her silver medal at the 2025 world championship.
James Criddle will also hope to be in medal contention, looking to improve on his fifth-place finish in the junior men’s category in Copenhagen last year.
Speaking on the squad’s chances in Brisbane, Whyte stated:
“I’m super excited [for the championships]. I’ve spent a lot of time in Australia training for the previous world cup that was there in 2024, and I ended up winning on that track. Hopefully I can replicate what I’ve done before.
“Everyone in the squad is on fire. We’ve all had good preparation and put in hard work, so I don’t see why we can’t come back with some medals.“
Performance Director of Great Britain Cycling Team, Stephen Park CBE, said:
“This year’s world championship team highlights the continued calibre of BMX racing in Great Britain. We have riders with proven pedigree, alongside a talented new generation of athletes who are just starting to make a name for themselves internationally. Together, they have delivered encouraging performances this season and show real potential for these championships and beyond.”
“The quality of our BMX programme is stronger than ever, driving standards across the Great Britain Cycling Team. This year’s world championships provides an opportunity to showcase this on a global stage, and we are excited to see what this squad of riders can achieve.”
Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships:
Elite men
Ross Cullen
Matthew Gilston
Kye Whyte
Elite women
Beth Shriever
Under-23 men
Ben Cornish
Under-23 women
Betsy Bax
Sienna Harvey
Junior men
James Criddle
Junior women
Freia Challis
Elsa Rendall Todd