Tough going in opening round of downhill national series in Toowoomba

Josh Button and Jess Hoskin claimed the opening round elite wins of the Downhill National Series at an eventful race at Jubilee Mountain Bike Park in Toowoomba.

Heavy rain across the weekend caused Sunday's finals to be cancelled after officials deemed the track unrideable, which meant podiums would be decided from Saturday's seeding results.

Riders did their best to get down the Frenzy Downhill course which had turned into a mud bath thanks to the constant rainfalls.

Riders struggled to race in the tough conditions across the weekend.

The experience of Josh Button showed in the trying conditions as he posted a 4:07.6 during his seeding run on Saturday, nearly 30 seconds better than Greenvalleys Mountain Bike club member Callum Crofts, with Kai Pyyvaara the next best.

With Sunday's racing called off the times would stand and Button opened the defence of his national series crown on top of the podium.

Josh Button claimed the opening downhill national series round.

It was a similar scenario for the elite women with current national champion Ellie Smith hoping to kick start her season with a win.

However Caloundra's Jess Hoskin found herself with the fastest time in qualifying stopping the clock with a time of 6:54.6.

Smith, would end up in the silver medal position with Sacha Mills in third.

Elite women's podium.

In the Under 19 category and it would be local Oliver Colthrup who took out the men with Central Highlands Sami Rothwell posting the quickest time overall in the women's ranks with a 6:11.0.

Full results can be found here.

The next round of the AusCycling Downhill National Series will be held in Jan 31-Feb 1 in Maydena, Tasmania.

Photo Credit: Jesswah Media