The ARA Australian Cycling Team takes on the world | AusCycling

by Admin
August 25, 2024

A mix of new and established riders are set to take on the world when the ARA Australian Cycling Team descends on Pal Arinsal in Andorra this week for the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships .

From August 28 to September 1, the 25-strong team will be out to break podium droughts in both the cross-country and downhill categories.

Six Aussie riders will take to the cross-country course, a twisty and tough 4km loop, which combines plenty of tough climbing with punishing technical sections over roots and rocks.

Two-time world championship medalist Rebecca Henderson has performed well at this venue in recent years, highlighted by a short course podium finish in 2022.

Joining Henderson will be Zoe Cuthbert, who makes her elite level world championship debut, while Sam Fox is the sole representative in the elite men’s race.

Zoe Cuthbert will be Australia’s second rider in the elite women’s race.

Jack Ward will line up in the under 23s, with Harry Doye and Eddie Mungoven part of a massive 85 rider field in the junior men.

Nineteen of our best elite and junior riders are set to drop in for the downhill component and vie for the coveted rainbow jersey.

Current national downhill champion Luke Meier-Smith has enjoyed racing at the Andorra venue, with top 10 finishes over the past two years.

Along with Troy Brosnan, our last championship medalist five years ago, the duo can be a genuine podium threat on their day.

Australia has six athletes – including four debutants – competing in the 78-strong junior men competition.

Australia last featured on the podium in the category back in 2019, when Kye A’Hern claimed the world championship title.

Kye A’Hern was the last junior male to win a downhill world championship in 2019.

Australia has endured a similar drought in the elite women, with our last world championship medalist coming in 2017 when Tracey Hannah took bronze in Cairns.

Sian A’Hern, Ellie Smith and Elise Empey will carry Australian hopes in 2024 on race day, with Sacha Mills and Elleni Turkovic competing in the junior category.

This is a physical course, where fractions of seconds could decide the medals, as it did last in the World Cup round here. If things happen to get wet, then we can expect a far more unpredictable outcome.