09/13/2026
Waynesville, Haywood County USA! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
For Manuela Munoz Vélez , the Waynesville Qualifier was an experiment that turned into a ticket to China.
The Colombian-bornl BMX racer, now based in the United States, came into the event with very little pump track racing experience. By the end of the day, she had won the women’s field and secured her place for Beijing.
“I feel amazing,” said Muñoz. “It’s always good to try something new, and why not try a pump track?”
Muñoz, who also coaches for USA BMX, described pump track racing as a natural extension of BMX, but one that allows her to enjoy racing in a different way.
“Racing BMX is a little bit more nerve-wracking. I get to enjoy it more doing pump tracks.”
Behind Muñoz, Ginger Markham finished second, with Mikki Skinner third and Sara Jarrell fourth.
For men’s winner Amakye Andersen, Waynesville was less about trying something new and more about persistence paying off.
Andersen had raced every US qualifier this season, coming close but never quite claiming the coveted ticket to China. In Waynesville, that finally changed.
“I did all of the US ones,” he said. “And I finally got the ticket, so I’m happy. Very happy.”
The weather added another challenge as rain arrived during racing. Andersen admitted the conditions initially made him nervous, but trusted the Velosolutions track and his tyres and committed to his runs.
“It was scary, but I had to put it out of my mind.”
That decision paid off. Andersen took the win ahead of Brady Kincheloe in second, David Kahn in third and Cameron Ory in fourth.
Now both winners turn their attention to Beijing. For Muñoz, it is another new chapter in a career built around two wheels. For Andersen, it is the reward at the end of a season spent chasing the same goal across the United States.
Results
Women
1. Manuela Muñoz
2. Ginger Markham
3. Mikki Skinner
4. Sara Jarrell
Men
1. Amakye Andersen
2. Brady Kincheloe
3. David Kahn
4. Cameron Ory
