From Vikings BMX to the world stage

It’s been a big couple of months for Vikings BMX Club, with 13 riders earning the opportunity to represent Australia at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane. 

Held from 17–25 July, the Championships brought together more than 3,000 riders from around the world, giving the Vikings BMX group a rare opportunity to compete on home soil against some of the best in the sport. 

For Australian riders, the chance to compete at a World Championships on home soil was particularly special. Australia had not hosted the event since Adelaide in 2009, adding even more significance to earning a place on the start gate in Brisbane. 

Earning their place 

The road to Brisbane began at the Australian National Championships in Shepparton in April, where around 1,900 riders competed for national honours and the opportunity to qualify for Worlds. 

Vikings BMX riders delivered strong performances across a range of age group qualifiers. Amelia Stichbury finished fifth in the 16 Girls, Rhys Williams placed third in the 50–54 Men, Jessica Dennis finished fourth in the 30–34 Women, and Thomas Gilfedder secured fifth in the 50–54 Men. 

Qualification was highly competitive across the Championships, including the 17–24 Men division where 113 riders competed for just 24 places at Worlds. Vikings BMX riders Luke Granatelli and Reid Stewart were among those to qualify. For Luke, the opportunity was particularly meaningful. He first began riding with Vikings BMX at seven years old, and 16 years later, qualified to represent Australia at a World Championship on home soil. 

13 riders earned World Championship qualification - an achievement shared by the athletes, families and club community that supported them along the way: 

Luke Granatelli, Noah McCarroll, and Reid Stewart

  • Riley Williams 

  • Jessica Dennis 

  • Rhys Williams 

  • Thomas Gilfedder 

  • Ryan Henderson 

  • Lindsay McDonald 

  • Gillen Leuning 

  • Noah McCarroll 

  • Amelia Stichbury 

  • Luke Granatelli 

  • Reid Stewart 

  • Armande Oringo  

  • Aidan Nemet. 

12 went on to compete in Brisbane, with Aidan unable to attend due to injury. 

Finding a way to prepare 

Behind their qualification were months of adapting to a very different training environment. Since November 2025, Vikings BMX’s home track had been closed for redevelopment, leaving riders preparing for Nationals and Worlds without their usual training facility and start gates. Instead, they trained at the Canberra BMX Club’s track in Melba. 

Vikings BMX Club committee member Rachel Granatelli said seeing the riders continue to put in the extra work despite the disruption made their qualification particularly rewarding. 

“We are incredibly proud of all our riders who earned the opportunity to compete at the World Championships. With limited access to training facilities, they continued to put in the work and give everything they had to get there. Having a World Championships in Australia was a rare opportunity, and you could see how motivated they were to make the most of it.” 

With qualification secured, the focus turned to making sure the riders were as prepared as possible for Brisbane. 

Helping riders get there 

For seven Vikings BMX riders, the journey to Brisbane was also supported by the Vikings Australian Representative Grant. 

Amelia Stichbury, Jessica Dennis, Luke Granatelli, Rhys Williams, Riley Williams, Noah McCarroll and Reid Stewart received financial support to assist with costs associated with competing at the representative level. The grants assisted with expenses, including travel and competition entry fees, while also allowing some riders to travel to Brisbane early for training camps and valuable time on the competition track. 

For Luke, who had spent months training away from his regular home track, that meant arriving early, getting laps in and building confidence ahead of competition. 

“Receiving the support through the Representative Grant was an honour. The funding allowed me to travel to Brisbane earlier to prepare for the competition. It meant I had fewer worries off the bike and could focus on the Championships and doing my best.” 

Taking on the world 

The Vikings contingent recorded strong results across a range of age groups and categories, with several riders competing in both Cruiser and 20” events. Armande Oringo and Luke Granatelli both achieved 15th-place finishes in their respective 20” divisions, while Amelia Stichbury, Ryan Henderson, Lindsay McDonald and Jessica Dennis were among the riders to record Top 30 results across the Championships. 

Luke progressed through the highly competitive 17–24 Men 20” division to the semi-finals, an experience made even more memorable when he found himself racing alongside Vikings teammate Reid Stewart in the eighth finals.  

“I felt proud to pull on the Australian jersey, to represent my country and be able to compete against other athletes from across the world.” 

He described Worlds as some of the most fun he has had competing, with the opportunity to race international riders, watch some of the world’s best and share the experience with his Vikings BMX teammates, making Brisbane particularly memorable. 

Vikings BMX President Paul Stewart said there was plenty of excitement about returning home and welcoming riders back to the track.  

“We’re all incredibly proud of our riders and what they have been able to achieve. We’re really excited to welcome everyone back to the track and to be training at home again with our members, as well as new riders who are interested in getting involved.” 

Congratulations to the Vikings BMX riders, families and club community on an achievement worth celebrating. 

Kate Mason