Vancouver Island BMX rider to represent Canada at world championships in Australia

Vancouver Island BMX rider to represent Canada at world championships in Australia

Published 6:35 am Saturday, July 4, 2026

Qualicum Beach BMX racer Sarah Ferguson will make her debut at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, Australia from July 17 to July 25, representing Team Canada. (Contributed photo)

Qualicum Beach BMX racer Sarah Ferguson is preparing for the biggest competition of her career as she gets ready to represent Team Canada at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane, Australia.

The championships, July 17 to July 25 at the Brisbane SX International BMX Centre, will mark Ferguson’s first appearance on the world stage — a milestone she says is both exciting and deeply meaningful.

“I will be attending the World BMX Championships in Australia as part of Team Canada,” Ferguson said. “This will also be my first World Championship event, which makes the opportunity especially exciting and meaningful for me.”

An elite amateur BMX racer and a prominent member of Oceanside BMX in Qualicum Beach, Ferguson has established herself as one of Canada’s top competitors. Racing in the 17+ women’s and cruiser divisions, she has earned national-calibre status while collecting impressive results throughout British Columbia and on the USA BMX circuit.

Among her accomplishments, Ferguson captured the No. 1 overall ranking in Canada for her age group, earning the prestigious BMX Canada National Champion title. She has also consistently dominated local competition at Oceanside BMX and Nanaimo BMX, regularly finishing at the top of the 17-20 Expert and Women’s Cruiser classes.

Her success on the track has also earned recognition off it. Ferguson was recently named a finalist for the Nanaimo Female Team Athlete of the Year, highlighting her dedication and achievements within the sport.

Beyond racing, Ferguson is an active member of the local BMX community. She regularly volunteers at Oceanside BMX, assists with track operations, and supports district racing events, helping create opportunities for riders of all ages and experience levels.

As she prepares to compete against the world’s best athletes, Ferguson says she’s embracing every emotion that comes with the opportunity.

“Heading into worlds, I’m feeling a mix of excitement, gratitude and nerves,” she said. “Competing at this level is something I’ve worked very hard toward, so being able to represent Canada and line up against riders from around the world is an incredible honour.”

Rather than focusing solely on results, Ferguson says her goal is to make the most of the experience while continuing to grow as an athlete.

“My expectations are to give it everything I have, gain as much experience as possible and make the most of the opportunity,” she said. “Of course, I want to perform well, but I also want to enjoy the experience and use it as motivation to keep improving as an athlete.”

Qualifying for the event has only strengthened Ferguson’s commitment to the sport.

“This opportunity has already pushed me to work even harder in BMX,” she said. “Competing on the world stage is a huge milestone for me, and it has made me even more determined to keep developing my skills, gaining experience and setting bigger goals for the future.”

As Ferguson heads to Australia wearing the maple leaf, she will not only represent Team Canada but also the growing BMX community on Vancouver Island. Her journey from local tracks in Qualicum Beach and Nanaimo to the world championship starting gate serves as an inspiration to young riders and a testament to the dedication required to compete at the highest levels of the sport.