BMX Legends: The Top 5 Greatest BMX Riders of All-Time
The 5 Greatest BMX Riders in History
If you rode a BMX as a kid, you’re in good company. But BMX isn’t just a bike, it’s a high-energy, highly competeive cycling sport.
Read The Sporting Blog’s ultimate top 5 list of the greatest BMX riders of all time!
Great BMX legend Garrett Renolds
Starting between 1960 and 1970, Bicycle Motocross, or BMX for short, is one of the most extreme sports in the world, and several legendary riders have claimed international fame for their exceptional stunts and cycling abilities.
Some of these riders have even gone on to compete in the Olympic Games, where BMX is one of the new generation of sports that have been added to the games.
Yet, among the thousands of professional BMX riders around the world, only a few have stood out as pioneers and champions of the sport.
From tricksters who invent their own multifold stunts to those who out-race competitors in global tournaments, our list features five of the greatest BMX riders of all time.
These riders have proven that their skills, achievements and style outshine everyone else in the sport.
1. Daniel Dhers
The first-ever FISE World Champion in 2014
He broke his back in 2003 - but he still kept on riding
He won the Action Sports Tour title in 2006
Born in 1985 and hailing from Venezuela, Daniel Dhers is one of the most famous and successful riders in BMX history.
But Dhers’ career had an interesting beginning; he only started riding because he wanted to make friends with other riders.
Soon, however, his skill and passion became undeniable, eventually leading him to move to Buenos Aires at age 16 to gain access to bigger parks while developing stronger skills.
Dhers is known for his incredibly consistent technique when it comes to BMX riding. Constantly learning new tricks and improving his form, he has an appetite for progress like no other.
Renowned for winning just about everything there is to win in the freestyle BMX world, Dhers is a competitor for the ages. When he shows up to a BMX race, it’s almost certain that he will take home a medal.
2. Dave Mirra
Two-time Olympic medalist
Six-time X Games gold medalist
Honorary BMX Hall of Fame member
Born in 1975, Dave Mirra was one of the most respected BMX riders of all-time.
During his prime, Mirra was renowned for winning the highest number of medals in BMX competitions at the time. Sadly, he took his own life in 2016, shortly after joining the BMX Hall of Fame.
The notorious New Yorker BMX rider was an Olympic athlete, competing in the 1996 Atlanta Games and winning a silver for his performance.
Prior to his death, Mirra founded his own BMX company, selling bikes and BMX products that are used by professionals all over the world to this day.
He’s also been immortalised in Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, a sports video game that was released in 2000.
Even though Mirra only lived to be 41 years old, his influence on the BMX sport and community can still be felt today, and he will always be a legend in this extreme motorsport.
3. Garrett Renolds
17-time X Games medalist (14 gold, two silver and one bronze)
2006 Street Rider of the Year
Most medals won at X Games for Street Racing
Starting his career at just 13 years old, Garrett Renolds has gone on to become one of the most celebrated and accomplished BMX street racers of our time.
First competing in major global races like the X Games and the Dew Tour at just 15 years old, Renolds started gaining international recognition for his incredible riding techniques and energy from a very young age.
His riding style is described as effortless and highly technical, particularly in the street style discipline of BMX riding, which requires more movement and agility than other forms of cycle racing.
Renolds has earned a position on the podium for every X Games BMX Street contest he has entered.
This world-famous street BMX legend recently started his own bike company, Fiend, which produces professional-level BMX bikes that are considered some of the best in the industry today.
4. Ryan Nyquist
16-time X Games finalist
39-time X-Games event starter (first rider)
60-time Dew Tours finalist
You can’t talk about BMX legends without mentioning Ryan Nyquist.
The man has an extensive, diverse and highly decorated career, making him one of the most iconic riders to have ever lived.
Nyquist shows a proclivity for dirt BMX riding. He’s won every single major dirt BMX competition! Yes, every single one - including X Games, Vans Triple Crown, Gravity Games and the King of Dirt, making him a household name in the sport.
Some of the BMX tricks he’s best known for include double-bar spins, truck drivers and a number of crazy backflip variations.
He has a dynamic, high-energy riding style and a charismatic personality, making him a fan favourite and someone that other riders either envy or adore.
5. Matt Hoffman
He has broken over 60 bones while BMX riding
Credited with inventing over 100 new BMX tricks
He’s amassed a net worth of $18 million
Matt Hoffman is arguably the most famous and beloved freestyle BMX rider of all-time. But he is actually better known for his cultural and media influence than his competition accolades.
The star of American sports stunt show, Jackass, Hoffman is an established businessman and the subject of many TV shows, documentaries and media spotlights.
His magnetic presence on and off the track has made him the most successful BMX rider alive, attracting a cult following in real life and social media.
Hoffman’s accomplishments are vast, but the one that most people know him for is his invention of over 100 revolutionary BMX tricks. He’s also considered the best Vert-ramp rider in the world.
For racing or tricks, these are the greatest BMX legends in the world. Have we missed any of your favourites? Tell us in the comments!
