Worthington back in love with BMX ahead of European Games

Olympic champion Charlotte Worthington revealed she has stepped away from competition to ‘recover' from a challenging time and rediscover her love for BMX freestyle. The 26-year-old became an overnight star by winning Olympic gold and becoming the first woman in history to land a 360 backflip in competition. Ad For Manchester ace Worthington, the two years that followed were just as dizzying as that trick in Tokyo.

Tour de FranceRoglic confirms he will miss Tour de France as he targets Vuelta3 HOURS AGO «Six months after the Games, my life changed massively,» said Worthington, speaking as an ambassador for Bridgestone, who are proud to be a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner through 2024. «I wasn't really training consistently and took every opportunity that I could to build my profile. »That can't be sustained.

Life has to go back to normal and then you're riding in the same empty skateparks with the same people. It's quiet, you could say it was boring." On the field of play Worthington's comeback season in 2022 was a choppy one, by her own stratospheric standards. She picked up a couple of World Cup medals, but finished fifth at the World Championships and last at the Europeans.

Inflated expectations made those results tricky to navigate. «It's been a challenge,» she said. «There were some good highs and some real lows, as well, that have brought nothing but lessons.

»For me, it's a lot more mental than physical. When I'm in the right place mentally, the riding happens effortlessly. The hardest part is getting yourself into that place.

«Before Tokyo, no-one really knew about BMX freestyle. No-one really cared. »I came home one day and my neighbour shouted out the window, ‘unlucky at the European