Non-stop Action! The Australian Open Downhill Delivers Huge Finale at Thredbo’s Cannonball MTB Festival

Thredbo’s Cannonball MTB Festival, presented by Boost Mobile, wrapped up spectacularly, with the highly anticipated RockShox Australian Open Downhill delivering some of the most thrilling racing action of the event. The festival, known as Australia’s biggest gravity-inspired mountain biking event, saw top riders push their limits on one of the country’s most demanding courses.

The Ultimate Test Of Skill And Speed

Set on the legendary Cannonball Downhill track, the Australian Open Downhill is the crown jewel of the festival. With high-speed sections, technical rock gardens, massive jumps, and steep chutes, this race is not for the faint-hearted. Riders put it all on the line for the biggest cash prizes in Australian downhill history, making every second count.

Troy Brosnan stormed to victory in the pro men’s category, showcasing his world-class skills and experience on the rugged terrain. Not far behind, Jackson Frew and Connor Fearon battled it out for the podium, securing second and third places, respectively. In the pro women’s field, Sian A’Hern put in a commanding performance to take the top step, followed by Elleni Turkovic in second and Ellie Smith in third.

A Festival of Gravity Racing

While the Australian Open Downhill stole the show, the rest of the festival delivered non-stop action across multiple events. The Oakley Pump Track Challenge, postponed due to heavy rain, finally took off, with riders pumping, doubling, and manualling their way around the technical course. Caroline Buchanan, Sacha Mills, and Elleni Turkovic claimed the top three spots in the pro women’s category, while Bailey Mears, Callum Crofts, and Jackson Frew dominated in the pro men’s.

Whip Wars Bring the Festival to a Thrilling Close

Although the racing had concluded, the action was far from over with the invite-only Deity Whip Wars going down in front of a huge crowd. A spectator favourite, the event hub came alive as a selection of the loosest mountain bikers launched themselves sideways off a jump. The rider who landed the biggest ‘moto-style’ whip in the women’s category was Elleni Turkovic, while Mack Maneitta came out on top in the men’s.

Crowning the King and Queen of Cannonball

After a massive week of racing, spectators eagerly awaited the announcement of the King and Queen of Cannonball. With points accumulated across multiple disciplines, Sian A’Hern and Luke Meier-Smith were crowned this year’s champions, cementing their status as all-round gravity powerhouses.

With the energy at an all-time high after presentations, Babe Rainbow took to the stage to close out a huge week of racing, followed by a massive after-party at the iconic Keller Bar.