Greater Shepparton secures headline BMX Racing event ahead of Olympic Games

ycling CEO Marne Fechner, Hayden Fletcher, Saya Sakakibara and Mayor Shane Sali.

AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Shane Sali.

Hayden Fletcher, Mayor Shane Sali and Saya Sakaibara.

The Victorian Government has supported this event through its Regional Events Fund and, together with AusCycling and Greater Shepparton City Council, made the announcement this morning at the Shepparton BMX Track, which will welcome the third and fourth rounds of the global competition on 19 and 20 February 2028.

The back-to-back rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup – which is the world’s premier BMX Racing series – will be delivered in partnership with AusCycling, supporting athlete development and strengthening Australia’s position within international BMX Racing.

The events are expected to attract the world’s best riders as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, making Greater Shepparton a critical stop on the international calendar during a key qualification period.

The Shepparton BMX Track, which last hosted international racing in 2020, was upgraded in 2025 with an enhanced track and new multi-use events pavilion, funded by the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.

The UCI BMX Racing World Cup is expected to attract thousands of athletes and supporters and generate significant economic impacts for the region.

“It’s a really big opportunity to showcase Australia,” said Olympic champion Saya Sakakibara. “For Shepparton, having a World Cup event in an Olympic year is a really big deal.”

Greater Shepparton is currently hosting the 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships, which has attracted close to 2,000 of Australia’s best athletes including defending champions Hayden Fletcher, a Shepparton local; and Sakakibara, who is also a three-time overall winner of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup.

“It’s always really good competition. The next generation of girls coming through the elite ranks has so much talent coming through,” Sakakibara said.

“Excited to go racing again: eight of us on the gate for 32 seconds around the track,” Fletcher said. “I’m sure the winner will be happy and all seven of us blokes will shake hands and celebrate together.”

This weekend’s National Championships doubles as an important qualification event for the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane this July.

“At a national level, this is the biggest race of the year. Coming back to race is really important,” Sakakibara said. “I make sure I am engaging with the community, trying to give back and also show how fast I can go on a bike.”

Today’s announcement follows last week’s news that the first two rounds of the 2028 UCI BMX Racing World Cup will be held in Brisbane on 12 and 13 February, creating an integrated block of top-level competition in Australia.

Marne Fechner, Chief Executive Officer of AusCycling, said today’s announcement strengthened Australia’s reputation as a leading nation for cycling and riding.

“We are delighted to welcome the UCI BMX Racing World Cup back to Australian soil, creating an opportunity to showcase Greater Shepparton and Victoria as a world-class host of major events.

“Hosting the UCI BMX Racing World Cup will be extremely beneficial for Australian athletes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It’s also a win for Australian fans and supporters, who will have the chance to watch the world’s best BMX Racing athletes in action.”

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the region was extremely proud to be hosting two rounds of the global competition, with the recent enhancements making the Shepparton BMX Track the ideal backdrop for elite level riders.

“Greater Shepparton is a community that backs sport, with international events like the UCI BMX Racing World Cup inspiring the next generation of riders − showing local kids that world-level sport can happen right here in regional Victoria,” he said.

“Our newly upgraded Shepparton BMX Track makes us a natural home for world-class BMX Racing, reinforcing our reputation as a premier regional events hub. Hosting international BMX Racing will bring athletes, families and visitors from around the globe, delivering real economic benefits for local businesses and an unforgettable buzz for our community.”

Hometown hero and 2025 elite men's national champion Hayden Fletcher says racing a home World Cup would be very special.

“Greater Shepparton City Council and the BMX community really get behind any BMX event,” he said. “I can only imagine how much bigger and better it is going to get."