HERVEY Bay can proudly claim a new world champion.
Local BMX rider Corey Frieswyk has just returned from the 2025 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he won the Masters Men World Title, securing the coveted W1 plate and a career-defining moment.
For Corey, now 31, the victory is the result of almost three decades of dedication to his sport.
His BMX journey began long ago when he was just three years old.
His father first took him to a BMX track, training wheels still bolted to his bike, and jogged alongside as Corey found his balance and discovered the thrill of racing.
By the age of five, he was already competing.
“I have been racing for twenty-seven years now. From the very start, it is all I wanted to do. I was always chasing that dream of being an Olympian or a world champion,” Corey said.
As a junior, Corey quickly showed natural ability.
At nine he was competing at a national level, and at just ten he claimed a third place at the Challenge World Championships.
Over the following years he travelled widely, including to Paris, where he lined up against the best in the world.
Alongside international experience, he collected state and national titles, proving himself as one of Australia’s strongest riders.
The dream of Olympic selection was close to reality in 2016.
Corey was one of six riders in contention for a place in the Rio Games, narrowly missing out to his best mate in a nail-biting qualification series.
“It was tough being that close, but that’s sport. It gave me even more drive to keep pushing.”
Corey went on to claim Australian national elite championships and a continental elite title, achievements that kept him at the forefront of BMX in this country.
He also trained at the Gold Coast under the AIS program, working with coaches, physiotherapists, and strength trainers who sharpened his competitive edge.
Yet it was the Masters category, open to experienced riders over 30, where he found his ultimate triumph.
In 2024 he placed fourth in the world, but he knew he had more to give.
This year, all the pieces came together.
The Copenhagen track demanded both speed and skill.
With races lasting just 30 to 40 seconds, BMX is a pure power sport where explosive starts and perfect timing make the difference.
The gate drops at random intervals after a set of beeps, requiring riders to react instantly. A strong start can win a race before the first corner.
“It’s simple in a way, just go faster than the guy next to you.”
“But it’s also about tactics. If you get your wheel in front, you can control the line and block other riders. You have to be powerful, but also smart.”
Against a field stacked with former Olympians and elite world finalists, Corey powered through the rounds and crossed the line as world champion.
“This is the biggest win of my career. It’s something I have chased my whole life.”
The Master’s title is far from an easy ride. Winning meant beating riders who had once “holeshotted” Olympic final, which is BMX talk for blasting out of the gate first and seizing the lead into the opening corner, the most powerful position in a race.
Balancing elite sport with everyday life is no small task.
Corey trains most mornings at 5am before heading to work in his own business.
Track sessions are often a family affair, with his kids watching on as he rides.
After achieving his lifelong dream, Corey says he will take a short break before looking ahead to 2026.
The BMX World Championships will be held in Brisbane, offering him the chance to defend his title on home soil in front of family, friends, and the local community.
“It will be special coming in with the number one plate and being the rider everyone wants to beat. I would love to defend it here in Queensland.”
