Ward claims victory in thrilling finale at 2025 UCI Oceania Continental and XC National Series

Jack Ward has sent a strong message ahead of the upcoming 2025 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships, securing an impressive victory in the final round of the 2025 UCI Oceania Continental and XC National Series at Mt Stromlo in Canberra over the weekend. 

After opting out of Friday night’s XCC event, Ward returned to the track on Saturday for Round 6, where he engaged in a fierce battle with New Zealand’s Anton Cooper across six laps of the elite men’s race.  

The duo set a relentless pace, breaking away from the main pack to create a thrilling head-to-head contest. 

In a sprint to the finish, Cooper narrowly edged out Ward to claim first place, with Brent Rees securing third, finishing half a minute behind the leaders. 

Sunday’s race saw a repeat showdown between Ward and Cooper, with Scott Bowden and reigning national champion Cameron Ivory also inserting themselves into the race at the front.  

Cameron Ivory featured on Sunday's podium in fifth place.

By the seventh and final lap, Ward and Cooper remained locked together, but this time, the Victorian rider powered ahead to take a well-earned victory over the Oceania Champion.  

Bowden claimed bronze, while Rees' fourth place has put him within contention of the overall series title. 

In the elite women’s field, New Zealand’s Samara Maxwell made her mark, leaving Australia with back-to-back victories in Rounds 6 and 7.  

Facing tough competition from locals Rebecca Henderson and Zoe Cuthbert, Maxwell and Henderson broke away early in Saturday’s race.  

However, a crash on the final lap cost Henderson valuable time, allowing Maxwell to surge ahead and win by over a minute.  

Sammie Maxwell completed back to back XCO victories.

Sunday’s final race featured another intense battle between Maxwell and Henderson as they tackled the six-lap course, including the challenging Hammerhead feature.  

Maxwell once again displayed her dominance, pulling away to secure another victory, while Henderson settled for silver as she set her sights on defending her national championship title.  

Cuthbert completed the podium in third. 

With series leader Izzy Flint not competing and Alice Patterson-Robert, who is currently second in the rankings, choosing not to compete in Round 7, the fight for the overall series title remains on a knifepoint. 

In the Under 23 races Harry Doye would finish the weekend with a gold and silver while Ella Menigoz took the win in both rounds.

The thrilling weekend of racing wrapped up an exciting XC National Series, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested 2025 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships in the coming weeks. 

Full results can be found here. 

Main Cover Photo: Luke Manson