British BMX continues to reign supreme across Europe. One year after Kieran Reilly’s triumph, his compatriot Dylan Hessey has claimed the continental crown at the UEC BMX Freestyle European Championships in Eindhoven. The 22-year-old rider stunned the crowd at the Area 51 Skatepark, producing a breathtaking second run that scored 95.20 to take gold ahead of Croatia’s Marin Rantes and Russian-born neutral athlete Nikita Fominov.
In the women’s event, defending European champion Sasha Pardoe added yet another medal to her growing collection, clinching bronze after an extremely competitive final.
A masterclass from Hessey – gold at the end of a bold gamble
Having qualified fifth with an average score of 84.47, Dylan Hessey didn’t arrive in Eindhoven as the man to beat. But when it mattered most, the Brit showed his class and composure. His first run in the final earned a solid 91.80, the second-highest score at that point, putting him firmly in contention for a medal. Yet instead of playing it safe, Hessey decided to push the limits in his final run – a daring choice that would ultimately bring him the European title.
His second run was nothing short of spectacular. Hessey pieced together a triple barspin, a flawlessly executed 720 spin, and a clever use of the entire park, combining creativity with technical precision. Then, in the dying moments, he delivered a stunning 540 flair followed by a backflip over the spine, both landed perfectly. The crowd erupted, and the judges rewarded his courage and control with a score of 95.20 – enough to claim gold ahead of Rantes (93.35) and Fominov (89.60).
For Hessey, who took bronze last year, this victory marks a major step forward in his career:
“I’ve put everything into this – no days off. The goal was clear: to become European champion. It wasn’t an expectation, but it was the dream. And today, I’ve achieved it. It’s the best feeling in the world,” he said after his win.
Far from being just a personal triumph, this European crown also represents a key milestone on the road to his ultimate ambition: the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Training alongside Kieran Reilly and other top British riders, Hessey’s success reflects the strength and consistency of the British BMX freestyle programme, which continues to set the standard internationally.
Reilly, the reigning world champion and Olympic silver medallist from Paris 2024, endured a tougher weekend. After qualifying in third, his title defence came to an abrupt end when he crashed during his final trick in the closing run. The medical team were quick to respond, and fortunately, Reilly escaped serious injury. British Cycling later confirmed he is recovering well and will soon be back on his bike – a relief for fans of one of Britain’s brightest freestyle talents.
Pardoe back on the podium as women’s field reaches new heights
In the women’s competition, Sasha Pardoe once again flew the British flag with distinction. The 19-year-old, who captured the European title last year and has already medalled on the world stage, delivered another assured performance to finish third with a score of 84.20 from her second run. She was narrowly beaten by Germany’s Kim Lea Müller (89.70) and Hungary’s Noemi Molnar (88.10) after a fiercely contested final.
Pardoe impressed throughout the event, showcasing her trademark confidence and technical flair. Her runs featured a bold reverse 360 into backflip combination, along with impressive height and smooth transitions that earned praise from the judges. Though she fell short of retaining her title, her consistency and poise reaffirm her status as one of the leading figures in the sport.
“I’m proud of this medal. The level this year was incredible – it really shows how fast women’s BMX freestyle is progressing,” Pardoe said afterwards.
Behind her, Elsa Rendall-Todd completed an encouraging British campaign by finishing seventh in her first appearance at the elite European Championships. At just 16, Rendall-Todd showed remarkable maturity and composure, balancing her season between freestyle and BMX racing – where she finished junior world vice-champion earlier this summer. Her strong showing in Eindhoven underlines the depth of emerging British talent, particularly on the women’s side, where the standard continues to rise year after year.
