Bunbury’s BMX star Lauren Reynolds will represent Australia at this month’s 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, earning another opportunity to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.

Reynolds has been named in a 23 rider ARA Australian Cycling Team squad for the championships, competing in the elite women category with four fellow Australians from July 17 to 19 at the Brisbane SX International BMX Centre.

The experienced Olympian is one of three Australian Olympians selected in the elite squad alongside Olympic champion Saya Sakakibara and Izaac Kennedy.

The championships present a rare opportunity for Australian riders to contest for a world title on home soil, with Reynolds among the country’s leading hopes of claiming the coveted rainbow jersey.

Her selection continues an outstanding international career that has seen the Bunbury product compete at the highest level of BMX racing for more than a decade.

Reynolds’ international career began after she took up BMX at the Bunbury BMX Club as a nine-year-old, before making her Olympic debut in London in 2012.

She went on to represent Australia again at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, becoming a four-time Olympian and one of the country’s most decorated BMX riders.

Her best Olympic result came in Tokyo, where she produced a career defining performance to finish fifth in the final, equalling Australia’s best ever women’s Olympic BMX result.

Reynolds has also enjoyed consistent success on the world stage, claiming the 2015 Oceania Championship, finishing fifth at the 2015 and 2021 UCI World Championships and sixth at the 2023 World Championships.

Now she has another chance to chase the one major honour missing from her decorated career when she lines up for Australia on home soil in Brisbane.

AusCycling head coach acceleration and action Eric Haakonssen said the team selection showed the depth of Australia’s BMX talent.

“There is something truly special about a home World Championships,” he said.

“It’s a rare opportunity and a real honour and privilege for the athletes in the team to represent Australia on home soil.

“This is one of the largest Australian teams we have fielded in several years, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for our riders to showcase what they are capable of against the best BMX racers in the world.”