Friday at Crankworx Cairns launched the weekend in high gear with the RockShox Downhill on the legendary Worlds Downhill trail at Smithfield MTB Park. The course, groomed to perfection and running fast, tested athletes in iconic sections like Mick’s Drop, the RockShox Rock Garden, and the energy-draining motorway sprint to the finish.
Sian A’Hern Claim Gold Over Her Idol Tracey Hannah
Sian A’Hern, proudly racing with tha Australian flag on her sleeve as the current Downhill Champion, defended her top seeding with authority, clocking a winning time of 3:46.353. In a strong run, she defeated one of her long-time idols, Tracey Hannah, a rider she had never bested in competition before.
I’ve looked up to Tracey since I started racing bikes. I’ve always wanted to beat her. To always have been so close to her and finally beat her is insane. I’m just super proud of how I handled myself this week. I really enjoyed riding my bike. I just wanted to show what I could do on a bike, and I feel like I achieved that today.
Sian A’Hern
Local rider Tracey Hannah, a legend beyond Cairns, showed her finesse and knowledge of the course despite limited training, claiming silver. Rounding out the all-Australian podium was Sacha Mills, who delivered a clean, controlled run to secure third.
Men’s Elite: Frew Finds Gold
On the men’s side, Jackson Frew broke through to claim his first Crankworx Downhill gold, capitalising on bold line choices and calculated risks, including a much-discussed gap through the final rock section.
I put everything into that run, and I took some risks that I really didn’t want to have to – especially in practice pulling that last jump.
Jackson Frew
Top-seeded Ryan Gilchrist, renowned for his pedal strength and versatility across disciplines, pushed hard in the final section, nearly closing the gap, but ultimately fell short by just 0.812 seconds. Jackson Connelly completed yet another Australian podium sweep with a strong ride for third.
RockShox Downhill – Top 5:
- Jackson Frew (AUS) – 3:17.965 // Sian A’Hern (AUS) – 3:46.353
- Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) – 3:18.777 // Tracey Hannah (AUS) – 3:51.493
- Jackson Connelly (AUS) – 3:21.218 // Sacha Mills (AUS) – 3:55.991
- Carter Sloan (AUS) – 3:22.232 // Jordy Scott (USA) – 4:03.593
- Joel Sutherland (AUS) – 3:22.388 // Bella Schofield (AUS) – 4:08.310
Full results: click here
Today’s gold medalist Sian A’Hern, who placed eighth at the RockShox Downhill in Rotorua earlier this year where she recovered from being ill, is committed to stir up the Crankworx Downhill Series standings by attending the remaining three stops at Crankworx Summer Series SilverStar and the big finale at Crankworx Whistler.
More Crankworx, more Summer Series, more fun racing, and yeah, just more time on my bike. I’m just loving everything, all the disciplines, and just having fun.
Sian A’Hern
Course Debut: Crankworx Full Tilt Wows Riders
Elsewhere in the Smithfield arena, athletes got their first taste of the brand-new Full Tilt course. Tomorrow is the day the first-ever Crankworx Full Tilt will launch where groups of three riders competing on the challenging course, with only the top two advancing to the next round.
I’m loving it! There is a lot to figure out which is sweet, there’s actually some pretty scary gaps on there, and it flows awesome. Such a fun track!
Bas van Steenbergen
Looking Ahead: Weekend Highlights
Crankworx Cairns is set for a double-header Saturday with Crankworx Full Tilt finals and the Pump Track Challenge lighting up the night. Sunday will bring the curtain down with the crowd-favourite Crankworx Cairns Slopestyle and Specialized Dual Slalom events, promising an epic close to an unforgettable week in tropical North Queensland.
Last-minute festival passes are available online and at the gates, while fans at home can watch all four remaining competitions live on Red Bull TV.
About Crankworx World Tour
Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines. Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events, and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations.
Official website: crankworx.com
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