Team USA
About BMX Freestyle
BMX Freestyle is a dynamic branch of BMX that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, focusing on performing tricks, stunts, and maneuvers rather than racing. It encompasses disciplines like Street, Park, Dirt, Vert, and Flatland, where riders showcase their creativity and skills on various obstacles such as ramps, bowls, and jumps. BMX Freestyle riders execute a wide range of tricks including spins, flips, grinds, manuals, barspins, and tailwhips, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on a BMX bike.
In competition, riders are judged based on the difficulty, execution, style, and variety of tricks they perform. BMX Park is the only Olympic-recognized discipline where riders take two 60-second runs to show off their best tricks on a variety of ramps. BMX Freestyle bikes are specially designed with a sturdy frame, 20” wheels, durable components, and features like rotor systems for handlebar spins, catering to the sport's blend of athleticism, technicality, and artistic expression, captivating riders and fans globally.
Join The Team
Competing on the BMX Freestyle National Team requires not only exceptional riding skills but also dedication, perseverance, and a passion for the sport. It's a journey that demands hard work, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence to excel at the highest level of BMX Freestyle competition. To get started in BMX, find a local skatepark or start competing at a USA BMX Freestyle event!
Get Involved
Find a Competition Near You
Compete Internationally
What is the National Team Designation?
USA Cycling is responsible for supporting and guiding athletes capable of winning Olympic medals, while also identifying, recruiting and developing future Games athletes. Our vision is to be amongst the very best in the world at talent identification, athlete development, management and preparation in all cycling disciplines. The National Team Designation is considered a critical means for achieving this vision. The support provided through the program seeks to offset some of the expenses associated with preparing for and participating in international sport. The program aims to support and assist athletes with the greatest potential to win medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
MEET THE TEAM
Olympic Qualifier Series
May 16-19, 2024: Shanghai, China
June 20-23, 2024: Budapest, Hungary
Urban World Championships
December 17-21, 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: UCI Urban World Championships
BMX Freestyle World Cups
2024 Schedule
February 22-25: Enoshima, Japan
May 8-12: Montpellier, France
Selection Process
USA Cycling is responsible for selecting the athletes who represent the United States in Protected Competitions through an extensive selection process.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ATHLETE EVENT SELECTION PROCESS
Selection Committee
The discipline-specific selection committee provides oversight and accountability of the athlete nomination process. They ensure that the athlete selection procedures are followed and that criteria – both automatic and discretionary - are applied appropriately to nominate athletes. Once confirmed, they approve the athlete nominations.
Each discipline-specific selection committee is composed of three volunteers – a 10 Year Athlete, discipline expert unrelated to USA Cycling, and USA Cycling Discipline Director. Each selection committee includes at least one-third 10 Year Athlete Representatives as required by the USOPC Bylaws. Athlete Representatives on the selection committees are approved by USA Cycling’s Athletes’ Advisory Council.
The BMX Freestyle Selection Committee is as follows:
- Nina Buitrago - 10 Year Athlete
- Tony Degollado
- USA Cycling Discipline Director
All members of the Selection Committee and USA Cycling Sport Performance staff participating in a selection must comply with USA Cycling’s Statement of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy.
Ryan
Nyquist
BMX Freestyle National Team Coach
Background
Ryan Nyquist is an American professional BMX rider with 16 X-Games medals, 39 X-Games competition starts and 60 Dew Tour finals appearances (most all-time). Ryan is considered one of the greatest and diversely skilled BMX riders ever. Now, Ryan has taken on a new challenge and joined the USA Cycling BMX Freestyle team as a coach where he is leading a team to the Olympic Games.
Jamie
Staff
High Performance Director, BMX Racing & Freestyle
Background
Jamie Staff leads USA Cycling’s BMX Racing and Freestyle programs. Born in Ashford, Kent, England, Jamie raced BMX for 20 years winning the World Championships in 1996. In 2001, he turned to Track racing in the pursuit of the Olympic Games. His transition appeared to be seamless qualifying for Team Great Britain's sprint program in his first attempt. At the Commonwealth Games, he rode to silver in the Team Sprint, broke the National 200m Record, and rode to bronze in the Kilometer. Less than a year into track racing, he helped Team GB win gold in the Team Sprint at the 2002 UCI Track World Championships. In 2004, he became the Keirin World Champion and punched his ticket to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. It wasn't until the next Olympics that Staff would walk away with a medal. Not only did he win several medals in the World Championship and Commonwealth Games in the next four years, but he would win gold in the Team Sprint trio and break the World Record at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
After 7 years on the track, he turned to coaching. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, under Staff's direction, USA Cycling’s BMX program won its first gold medal, a silver medal, and recorded two fourth place finishes. With the introduction of BMX Freestyle to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic schedule, Staff took over that program. BMX Freestyle won its first medal in the sports debut with silver.
Jim
Miller
Chief of Sport Performance
Background
A successful professional cyclist in his own right, Jim coached several cyclists on the side and eventually retired from racing in 1999 to focus solely on his flourishing coaching career. After developing several notable cyclists, he originally came to USA Cycling to run the women’s road program in 2002. After earning Coach of the Year distinctions from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2003 & 2004, Jim was promoted to director of endurance programs, overseeing the development of American junior, U23, and women endurance athletes in road and track cycling. After making significant strides toward the USA Cycling National Development Program’s goal of developing the next generation of American cyclists, he was named Vice President of Athletics in 2010. In 2017, Jim left USA Cycling to become the Vice President of Business Development for Training Peaks. Unable to resist the Olympic call, he returned to USA Cycling in 2020 as the Chief of Sport Performance. He has earned the International Olympic Committee’s highest honor for coaches, the Order of Ikkos, three times, all for coaching 3-time Olympic Champion Kristen Armstrong to victory.