Worlds: Troy Brosnan finishes 5th in elite mens downhill at Fort William

Troy Brosnan has finished fifth in the elite men downhill at the 2023 UCI World Championships in Fort William.

The South Australian produced a near flawless run in deteriorating conditions after a heavy downpour saw several big names struggle to produce a clean run.

Brosnan stopped the clock in 4:28.259 just over one and a half seconds behind eventual winner Great Britan’s Charlie Hatton.

“That was tough. I was pushing pretty hard and to be only 1.5 seconds off the win is pretty hard to swallow.

“But to get fifth with the week that I had battling sickness I’ve got to be happy,” the four-time world championship medalist said.

Kye A’Hern and Oliver Davis, who was racing in his first elite world championships would record top 20 results.

They were joined by Luke Meir-Smith, who is still recovering from a broken collarbone.

“It was a hectic run, but felt like I attacked pretty well and pretty happy considering it’s the first race back from my collarbone.”

A crash in the woods section cruelled what was looking like a super run by Remy Meier-Smith and would see him finish in the top 50 along with Joshua Arcus and Jackson Connelly.

Elise Empey was the first of the Australian elite women down the hill and the two-time junior national champion kept it consistent through the top two sectors.

The Victorian was hard on the pedals on the motorway as she got down in a time of 5:32.035 which would leave her in 24th position and a smile on her face.

“The crowds were insane.

“It was a pretty clean run but got a bit loose at the bottom but I was happy to hold it together,” Empey commented post-race.

In her first appearance in a world championship final, Lia Ladbrook wasn’t overawed by the occasion as she went on a white-knuckle finals ride.

“It was kind of a bit of an over the bars moment in a boggy blown out section and was a bit wetter than I expected,” the Oceania champion said.

But a quick recovery saw Ladbrook make it down to the finish one place behind her countrywoman Empey.

After notching up the 10th fastest time in qualifying, Australian champion Sian A’Hern was intent on making a statement on finals day.

Her run not going to plan as she finished with a time of 5:22.025 to record an 18th place finish, but she would take plenty of positives away from her run.

“Today I had a really good top section but had a major mistake in the woods just before the road gap so had to stop and sort myself out.

“Just got to be patient it will all come together and it’s so special to represent your country.”

Valli Höll would retain the rainbow jersey with a 4:58.242 just over two seconds to Switzerland's Camille Blanche in second and Marine Cabirou from France in third.

Results – Elite Women Downhill

Sian A’Hern 18th
Elise Empey 24th
Lia Ladbrook 25th

Results Elite Men Downhill

Troy Brosnan 5th
Kye A’Hern 16th
Luke Meier-Smith 18th
Oliver Davis 20th
Joshua Arcus 39th
Remy Meier-Smith 40th
Jackson Connelly 45th

Photo Credit: Thomas Maheux/SWpix.com