Niek Kimmann won the men's competition in Shepparton ©Getty Images

The Netherlands’ Niek Kimmann and United States’ Alise Willoughby denied the host nation victory as the International Cycling Union (UCI) BMX Supercross World Cup season began at Shepparton in Australia.

Kimmann came through the early rounds of the men’s event to progress through to the final at the Shepparton BMX Club.

He clinched a narrow victory in the final by powering across the line in a time of 33.040 seconds.

Australia’s Anthony Dean settled for second in front of his home crowd by ending 0.148 sec behind the winner.

His compatriot Izaac Kennedy rounded off the podium places in 33.356.

Olympic silver medallist Willoughby triumphed in the women’s competition, with the American winning the final in a time of 36.345.

Australia’s Saya Sakakibara placed second in 36.471.

Double Olympic champion Mariana Pajon rounded off the medal places, as the Colombian clocked 37.572.

The event offered qualifying points for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

It also marked the first time Australia has staged a UCI BMX Supercross World Cup stop since doing so in Adelaide in 2008.

World Cup action is scheduled to continue in Australia next weekend.

Rounds three and four are set to be held in Bathurst on February 8 and 9.