MBNats23 preview: Who will be crowned the downhill champion?

It’s going to be fast, and it’s going to be furious, as a world class field lines up for the 2023 AusCycling Mountain Bike National Championships downhill title on Saturday, February 18.

The star-studded line-up includes defending champion Connor Fearon (SA), eight time national champion Troy Brosnan (SA) and one of the greatest riders of all time Sam Hill who is making his return to the National Championships after a few years.

So who will be crowned the 2023 National Champions? Here are some of the big names to watch.

ELITE MEN

The men’s field is stacked with the best of the best in Aussie downhill racing.

Fearon will be back to defend his crown, after breaking his drought in 2022.

2022 Downhill National Champion Connor Fearon. 

The Adelaide rider broke Brosnan's four year grip on the crown at Maydena last year, after he crashed out breaking his ankle.

The fellow South Australian will be desperate to regain the sleeve ahead of the 2023 UCI World Cup season.

He currently has nine national titles to his name.

Troy Brosnan has nine National Downhill Titles to his name. Photo: Matt Rousu

Five-time World Champion Sam Hill (WA) is making a comeback to the National Championships this year.

It has been 20 years since he first won the National Title in 2003 and backed it up a year later.

His first downhill event in three years was the opening round of the AusCycling Downhill National Series in January at Mt Buller where he finished 14th.

Luke Meier-Smith (NSW) finished top of the podium of that race and is another big name who will be keen to post a fast time in qualifying on Friday.

Meier-Smith finished fourth at the 2022 Championships, and after a season competing at World Cup events has the form to claim a maiden title.

2021 World Enduro Champion Jack Moir (NSW), 2019 Junior World Champion Kye A’Hern (ACT), last year’s silver medallist Jackson Frew (ACT), and runner-up at the 2022 Junior World Champion Remy Meier-Smith (NSW) will also be there at the pointy end.

WOMEN ELITE

Sian A’Hern (NSW) will be on the hunt to take back the National Championship after losing the crown by less than a second to Ellie Smith (NSW) last year at Maydena, Tasmania.

A’Hern already has two to her name – will 2023 be the year she makes it three?

She comes into Thredbo with some top results from international competitions last year including second at Crankworx - Canadian Open DH and gold at Crankworx Rotorua Taniwha Downhill.

Reigning National Champ Ellie Smith.

Last year’s Junior National Champion Elise Empey (VIC) is stepping up to Elite’s this year, as is silver medallist Connor Mielke (NSW) and will be looking to make their mark in the senior ranks.

Other names to watch are Cassie Voysey (NSW), and U17 National Champion Ashleigh Weinert (NSW).

Eight-time BMX and Four-Cross World Champ Caroline Buchanan (ACT), and Zoe Cuthbert (ACT), who won silver in the Cross Country National Championships are also part of the biggest women's field in years.

PUMP TRACK

It will be 20 seconds of all-out power over at the pump track on Thursday, with qualifying starting early at 7.30am, and racing kicking off at 5.45pm.

It's an open book of who will stand top of the podium, with Caroline Buchanan and Jayce Cunning (Qld) both back to defend their titles.

Connor Fearon, Jackson Frew, Remy Meier-Smith, and Kye A'Hern are some of the other names competing in the all-star field.

While Buchanan is the favourite in the women's event, the question is who will take the remaining podium positions?

Tess Buckley finished fourth last year and will this time around be hoping to go even better. Jess Hoskin, Elise Empey, Connor Mielke and Cassie Voysey will also line-up for their shot at the title.

The full schedule can be found here.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION WITH AUSCYCLING

AusCycling MTB National Championship 2023
• Location: Thredbo, NSW
• Dates: Wednesday, February 8 – Saturday, February 18, 2023

More information about the 2023 AusCycling MTB National Championships.

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram/ Tik Tok: @AusCyclingAus
#MBNats23 #LetsRideTogether

Live results will be published here.

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HOW TO WATCH
Coverage of the AusCycling MTB National Championships will be broadcast and streamed via SBS and Kayo for Australian audiences and on Global Cycling Network for international viewers.
Broadcast times:
Saturday 18 February – 11:00am - 4:00pm (AEDT)

The 2023 AusCycling MTB National Championships is proudly supported by Visit NSW.