Worlds: 11 Aussies through to junior downhill finals at Fort William

Australia will have 11 riders contest the junior downhill finals early Saturday morning (AEST) after qualifying at Fort William.

Twelve junior downhillers, part of the ARA Australian Cycling team would take on the famous course at Nevis Range.

In the junior women Jessica Sheridan was the first rider out of the gate and the Aussie made the most of the clear track finish in 16th place.

Zali Miklas, Alix Luckman would also make their way to the bottom to make the 30-rider final in 24th and 29th respectively.

That left Sacha Mills the last of the Australians on the hill and the Queenslander was tearing down the iconic track posting the second fastest time at the first split.

The current Australian champion kept on the pedals to record a time of 5:31.212, fifth fastest overall.

Disappointment for Georgia Hennes who would not make the cut after a crash ended her run.

New Zealand’s Erice Van Leuven will be the last down the hill with a 5:17.024.

The top 60 junior men would progress through to Saturday morning’s final, with eight Australians to drop in.

Lewis Allbon would be the fastest in the green and gold kit to record a 4:49.213 and 22nd overall, with team-mates Mitchell Claxton and Jed Stanton only a few places behind.

National champion Kael Foale finished just inside the top 30 with Rye Carlyon (30th), William Ireland (43rd) and Nathan Dabbs (45th) ahead of Saturday’s finals.

American Ryan Pinkerton the fastest with a 4:31.582.

It is the first time since 2007 the iconic location has hosted the UCI World Championships.

For more coverage of the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the UCI Cycling World Championships, visit our Glasgow 2023 Hub.

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Photo: Javier Martínez de la Puente/SWpix.com