Molly Simpson stands on a BMX track and hoists the Canadian flag overhead.Leah Hennel/COC
Leah Hennel/COC

Molly Simpson

Biography

In her first appearance at the Pan American Games, Molly Simpson won silver in the women’s BMX race behind her idol, Colombian legend Mariana Pajon. That was just one more career breakthrough for Simpson, who had won her first UCI World Cup medal in the elite women’s division in October 2021. That race in Sakarya, Turkey was also the first time she had advanced to an elite final at a World Cup. 

During the 2023 UCI World Cup season, Simpson finished in the top five in each of the first four races, which included back-t0-back fourth place finishes in Sakarya followed by back-to-back fifth place finishes in Papendal, Netherlands. She got herself back into the top four in back-to-back World Cup races in February 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. 

Simpson debuted at the UCI World Championships in 2019, where she reached the quarterfinals in the junior women’s division. After racing in the elite division at the world championships for the first time in 2021, she competed in the U23 category in 2022 and won the bronze medal. She posted her best elite world championship result in 2023 when she placed 11th

Simpson resumed her career after being hospitalized in late 2022 for a serious infection she developed following the removal of her wisdom teeth. She had to undergo two more surgeries and spent a week in the ICU, which included several days on a ventilator and feeding tube. 

A Little More About Molly

Getting into the Sport: Started BMX racing at age 10… Would always drive past a BMX track and wanted to try it like her cousins… Bought a racing bike the first day she tried it… Loves the adrenaline rush and the competitive drive to be fastest on the track and the challenge to have no fear… Outside Interests: Enjoys doing crossfit and snowboarding in the off-season… Would like to become a firefighter after her BMX career… Odds and Ends: Looks up to Colombia’s two-time Olympic champion Mariana Pajon for her humbleness and kindness… Keeps a small good luck Buddha in her helmet bag… Favourite motto: “Here and now”…

Notable International Results

Pan American Games: 2023 – SILVER (BMX) 

UCI World Championships: 2024 – 28th (BMX); 2023 – 11th (BMX); 2021 – 35th (BMX) 

UCI U23 World Championships: 2022 – BRONZE (BMX)  

UCI Junior World Championships: 2019 – 20th (BMX)