Veronika Monika Stūriška wins silver at U-23 BMX World Championships

Latvian BMX rider Veronika Monika Stūriška won a silver medal at the World Championships in Australia on Sunday, becoming the U-23 vice-champion, according to the Latvian Cycling Federation (LRF).

The decisive runs in Brisbane were scheduled for early Sunday morning Latvian time, but strong winds forced organizers to postpone the start multiple times. The wind was blowing sideways on the first straight, creating dangerous conditions for the riders' safety. As a result, the decision was made to cancel the final runs, and winners were determined based on the first day's results.

Three Latvian athletes qualified for the final day in the U-23 category: Stūriška, Noa Rafaels Laake, and Edgars Langmanis. Without the final runs, Laake finished 24th, while Langmanis placed 26th.

Stūriška won her first-round run. Although her absolute time was the third fastest, the competition format ranks riders by their positions in runs rather than times. Thus, the Latvian secured silver, returning to the World Championship podium after a one-year break.

The world champion was Dutch rider Renske van Santvort, while American Alexis Olden took bronze. Earlier this year, Stūriška also won a silver medal at the European Championships.