Logan Martin and Natalya Diehm qualify for BMX freestyle finals in Paris

Australia will have two riders competing in the finals of the BMX freestyle after Logan Martin and Natalya Diehm qualified at la Concorde in the heart of Paris.

Women

Only nine riders would make it through to the final and Australia’s Natalya Diehm came out firing on what was a hot summers day in the nation’s capital to throw down a barrage of tricks during her first run.

The two-time Olympian, who fought her way back from injuries over the past three years opened with a perfectly landed back-flip.

Despite a few small mistakes the judges would give her 81.66.

The Queenslander would add some more flair in her second run which included a 360 over the box and a double combo, amplifying her tricks to the judge’s delight during the 60 seconds.

That 86.12 score would see the 26-year-old with an average of 83.89 and finish in eighth place, enough to lock in a spot in Wednesday night’s final.

“Very happy, very relieved I was able to put two runs together and make it to the final.

“I was going over in my head what do I need to do better or add to make sure I get to the final.

“Tomorrow everyone’s strategy is come out first run go a little bit harder but safer at the same time, get a score on the board and second run go all out and hope you land it,” she said post competition.

Current World Champion from the United States Hannah Roberts would finish qualifying on top with an average of 91.45  

Defending Olympic champion, Great Britian’s Charlotte Worthington missed out after she finished 11^th.

Men

Logan Martin’s defence of his historic Tokyo gold medal would begin in the second heat of the men’s competition in front of a packed crowd.

The reigning champion showcased his aerial skills with a run that included a 540 flare and 360 triple bar spin.

Judges rewarded the Gold Coaster’s combinations with an 88.56 for his first effort.

The 30-year-old put the rough couple of months leading into the Games behind him as he went about the business in his second run to guarantee a shot at another gold medal.

Logan Martin will defend his gold medal after finishing third in qualifying.

This time Martin showcased  triple tail whip and 360 backflip transfer and which saw him record a 90.22 and an average score of 89.39 enough to put him into tomorrow nights final,

Great Britan’s Kieren Reilly topped the scoresheet with a 91.20  as Martin would finish in third.

“I’m probably more nervous going into today, although tomorrow I have to step up my tricks,” Martin confided post competition.

“Feeling good, feeling confident in my riding and know I can go out and pull the run I want to do.

While the two-run average is used in qualifying, only the riders best of the two 60 second runs count in the nine man final.

Full results are available here.

Photo credit: Getty Images