The United States' Hannah Roberts top scored in women's BMX freestyle park qualification ©Getty Images

Defending champion Hannah Roberts led the way in women's BMX freestyle park qualification at the International Cycling Union Urban Cycling World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Roberts of the United States, a silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, scored 88.40 and 83.80 points on her two runs at the Corniche venue in the United Arab Emirates capital, averaging a total of 86.10 to comfortably lead the way.

BMX freestyle Olympic champion Charlotte Worthington of Britain ranked second in qualifying with 82.60 after scores of 83.20 and 82.00 from her two runs.

American Perris Benegas placed third with 82.20, helped by a superb second run worth 83.40.

Britain's Charlotte Worthington is safely through to the women's BMX freestyle park final ©Getty Images
Britain's Charlotte Worthington is safely through to the women's BMX freestyle park final ©Getty Images

Germany's Lara Marie Lessmann averaged 78.05 to qualify in fourth, with last year's World Championship silver medallist and Olympic bronze medallist Nikita Ducarroz of Switzerland fifth with 76.65.

The top 12 athletes qualified for Sunday's (November 13) final, with Germany's Kim Lea Müller the lowest-ranked to progress with 60.50.

Junior trials semi-finals were held today at the World Championships, with Spain's Daniel Cegarra leading the way in the men's 26-inch competition with 640 points, and Finland's Niilo Stenvall topping the 20-inch standings with 700.

The Urban Cycling World Championships is set to continue tomorrow and conclude on Sunday (November 13).