ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — Two-time world champion Alise Willoughby, Felicia Stancil and Jeremy Smith led a strong American contingent at the BMX world championships Friday, cruising into the quarterfinal rounds this weekend before an appreciative home crowd.

Willoughby, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, got the holeshot in her heat and was never seriously challenged in advancing to Saturday’s runs. She was followed across the line by American teammates Delany Vaughn and Lexis Colby — the top four riders in each of the heat races advanced to the next round of competition.

Stancil also won her heat, while American teammates Payton Ridenour and Carly Kane likewise advanced. All of them have a lot riding on the outcome: If they finish on the podium, they would get a nomination for the U.S. team for the Paris Games.

Most of the main world championship contenders — and those expected to compete for medals at the Summer Olympics — had no trouble advancing to Saturday, when the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will take place.