MTB Nationals: Sam Fox eyes more green and gold after breakthrough year

2023 was massive for Sam Fox.

In his first season as an elite, the Tasmanian won both the XCC and XCO national titles in Thredbo.

He took the green-and-gold bands overseas, scoring his first European win: a C1 race in Slovenia.

That helped him secure his first professional contract, with Lapierre Mavic Unity.

Now, the 23-year-old aims to extend his stint in the champion’s jersey when he lines up at next month’s GWM Mountain Bike National Championships.

“It's been amazing to wear the green and gold for the last 12 months,” Fox told AusCycling ahead of the event.

Australian mountain biker Sam Fox racing in the green-and-gold national champion's jersey through a dusty rock garden section in a cross-country mountain bike race .

Fox competing in the AusCycling XCO National Series last year.

“It's been instrumental in signing a professional contract with Lapierre Mavic Unity and to moving my life overseas to go and race bikes around the world.

“It's been a huge motivation and an honour to represent Australia in some of the biggest races around the world and I'm looking forward to trying to do it again next year.”

Fox, who hails from Launceston, says he’s loved representing the national colours – even if that’s led to cases of mistaken identity.

“In America I got cheered on a few times for being Brazilian or South African, so I had to yell out mid-race and correct them because we're all proud Aussies, and we want people to see us over there racing in the green and gold and know who we are,” he said.

He’s already started 2024 with a bang, winning both opening rounds of the AusCycling XCO National Series in Nerang.

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He’ll have pencilled March 15 and 17 into his calendar, when the XCC and XCO national titles will be contested in Lake Macquarie, NSW.

Fox will start as favourite amid a talented start list that includes Rio Olympian Scott Bowden; cyclo-cross national champion Christopher Aitken; and the versatile veteran Jared Graves, who won the XCC title in 2022 before retiring from pro racing.

Fox is bullish about his chances of defending both titles.

“I'm feeling really good about trying to do the double with the national title again this year. It's been a great Aussie summer of training and a little bit of racing on the road to bring the form up, and the bikes are running super quick.

“It's all progressing really nicely, so I think we're looking good for another national title, but the boys will give me a run.

“And that's the idea: we want to push ourselves and find out who's really the best in Australia.”

2024 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships

Location: Awaba Mountain Bike Park, Lake Macquarie, NSW
Dates: March 12-17, 2024
More information:2024 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships

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The 2024 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships are proudly supported by Lake Macquarie City Council, and the NSW State Government through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Feature image: Matt Rousu Photography