Tricks, titles and elite sport
With participants from 16 countries and a strong field of riders, the level of competition was exceptionally high throughout the weekend. In the finals, Germany’s Kim Lea Müller and Great Britain’s Dylan Hessey made history by claiming the European titles in Park, while Hungary’s Anna Mondics and the Netherlands’ own Sietse van Berkel secured the stars-and-stripes jersey in Flatland. The European Championships underlined that BMX Freestyle has developed into a mature elite sport that deserves the big stage, and one we are sure to hear a lot more about in the years to come.
Gold and podium places for TeamNL
TeamNL also made a strong impression in Eindhoven. In Flatland, Sietse van Berkel claimed the European title in front of a home crowd, bringing the European BMX Freestyle Championships to a close with the Dutch national anthem. A day earlier, in the Park discipline, Tom van den Bogaard secured an impressive fifth place. The just 15-year-old Jikke Schraffordt also delivered a strong performance, finishing eighth in the final.
Eindhoven’s urban stadium
For three days, Strijp-S was the beating heart of the European BMX Freestyle Championships. Visitors enjoyed Flatland, demos, music and side events such as 3x3 basketball, as well as a pump track where young and old could get involved themselves. Inside Area 51, fans experienced the Olympic discipline of Park, where Europe’s top riders treated the crowd to spectacular action in the air. The European Championships also received broad media coverage, including a live broadcast by NOS, a feature on Jeugdjournaal, and reports across both sports and regional media.
Also featuring a free programme
Thanks in part to Rabobank’s support, the programme at Strijp-S, including Flatland, was free to attend, making it accessible to everyone. Marc Cootjans, on behalf of Rabobank, said: “We look back on a true celebration of sport. It was fantastic to see how, together, we transformed Strijp-S into an urban stadium that offered not only elite sport, but also plenty of inspiration and opportunities for people to get active. Because a large part of the programme was free to attend, everyone in Eindhoven had the chance to experience the skills of the BMX riders.”
Do you dare to fall?
Over the past few months, more than 500 children took part in Do You Dare to Fall?, the social impact programme of the European BMX Freestyle Championships, developed together with More2Win. On the playgrounds of eight schools across Brabant, they learned the basics of BMX — and, above all, that falling is nothing to be afraid of.
It was not only the children who took part. Their parents and teachers were also trained in embracing failure and daring to dive into the learning pit. They learned to say “give it a try, you can do it” more often — and “be careful” a little less. And that positive encouragement could be heard from the stands during the Championships.
During the event, 100 children even had the chance to showcase their tricks alongside Europe’s elite riders. The best tricks they had learned through trial and error were proudly shown to the crowd, supported by family and friends.
In total, 500 children got off their bikes more skilled, mentally stronger and more willing to help others. And it does not stop there: the Municipality of Eindhoven, among others, wants to continue the programme, so even more children can learn to ride more skilfully and safely.
The social impact programme was made possible thanks to partners including the Municipality of Eindhoven, the BrabantSport Fund, and the support of ASML and Dappr.
“It makes us proud that, together with our partners, we were able to give this first European BMX Freestyle Championships on home soil the stage it deserves. Eindhoven embraced this first edition and, in doing so, showed that urban sports deserve a serious place within elite sport here as well. This definitely leaves us wanting more.”
Partners support landmark first
The European BMX Freestyle Championships were made possible through the collaboration between the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC), the KNWU and organiser Libéma Profcycling. The event was also supported by Rabobank, TeamNL, Red Bull, Oakley, Vittoria, Alé Cycling, Libéma and Van den Udenhout. Institutional partners including BrabantSport, the Municipality of Eindhoven and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport also played an important role in bringing the Championships to life. Area 51 played a particularly special role, serving as both partner and host venue for the event.
