Eight years ago, 12-year-old Sacha Mills lined up for her first downhill mountain bike race at her local track on the Gold Coast.
She was hooked from the moment she hit the start gate.
Having grown up racing BMX, Mills quickly discovered downhill was for her, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Just a year later, she claimed the under-15 downhill national title before adding the under-19 title to her trophy cabinet in 2023.
Mills won the junior downhill title in 2023. Image: Matt Rousu
As a junior, her performances earned her selection to the ARA Australian Cycling Team for her first UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Glasgow in 2023.
This year, the now-20-year-old represented Australia as an elite for a second time at the World Championships in Val di Sole, finishing 22nd.
2026 has been another big year for Mills. Overseas, she completed her first full European World Cup season as an elite, while back home she successfully defended her AusCycling Downhill National Series crown.
The Kooralbyn Valley Mountain Bike Club rider shares her journey from local club racing to the world stage, and how racing in Australia helps prepare her for a busy schedule competing overseas.
Mills in action at the 2026 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships at Mt Buller. Image: Matt Rousu
Q: Your thoughts on your 2026 season overall?
SM: This year was my first full European World Cup season racing as an elite, so there were definitely a lot of challenges that I had to work through. A few of the Australian and New Zealand races at the start of the year didn’t go exactly how I wanted them to, so I had to really push myself to build my confidence back up before heading overseas. I had some alright results on the world stage, but I still feel like I could have done better and there’s definitely a lot I can take away from the season.
Q: How did you first get started mountain bike riding?
SM: I had been racing BMX at a world level for years before I showed up one day to a local downhill race. I loved it and quickly became hooked on downhill racing. I’ve always been involved in mountain biking since I was young. Bikes have been a huge part of my life across lots of different disciplines, including cross-country, enduro, BMX, downhill and pump track.
She finished 22nd overall in the elites at the 2026 World Championships. Image: SWPix
Q: Tell us your memories of your first mountain bike race.
SM: In 2018, I showed up to a race at Boomerang Farm, which is now known as Gold Coast MTB Park. I found a new way to challenge my competitive nature and loved it; it was so different from BMX. I felt free, and I didn't have to worry about anyone else when riding. From that first race, I knew I wanted to keep racing downhill and see how far I could take it.
Q: What are your memories of stepping up to state-level and national-level racing?
SM: My first State Titles were at Mount Joyce in 2018, where I won, and I went on to win the title every year from then until this year, when I unfortunately couldn’t make it to the race. My first Nationals was 2019 in Bright. I had a huge crash in my seeding run and injured my shoulder pretty badly. But I still raced the next day, sucked up the pain, and managed to win my first-ever Downhill MTB National Title as an Under-15.
Q: What's one tip you would give to yourself if you could go back in time to when you were a beginner?
SM: I’d tell myself not to stress so much about trying to be the best. Let it come with time and just focus on having fun on your bike. Enjoying riding and racing is what makes you want to keep improving.
Mills competing at the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. Image: SWPix
Q: What's the role of the National Series been in your development? And how do you think it has helped prepare you for international racing?
SM: The National Series is great because all the top girls in Australia compete in them. Racing against them all helps me push myself and give me a good idea on what I need to work on before going overseas. It’s also a great way to test myself in a competitive environment before racing on the international stage.
Q: What’s your favourite course to race in Australia and why?
SM: I love the Maydena, Tasmania race track. It’s such a cool track with a bit of everything, and it’s always fun to ride and race there.
Find your next step in mountain bike racing
Sacha’s journey shows how club racing can be the starting point for a bigger mountain bike ambition. Whether you’re considering your first race or preparing to step up, find a mountain bike club near you, explore the 2027 AusCycling Mountain Bike Events Calendar and discover the AusCycling membership options that suit your riding and racing.