Australia’s Biggest & Richest Mountain Bike Event Takes Over Thredbo for a Massive Weekend of Competition
Posted on 9 Dec, 2019
Australia’s biggest gravity mountain biking event, the Cannonball Mountain Biking Festival, has just wrapped up in Thredbo after five huge days of competition, with nearly 1,000 competitors racing for a chunk of the $100K prize pool across the five iconic events.
The seventh instalment of the event attracted some of the biggest names in the industry with aspiring young riders competing alongside some absolute legends of the mountain bike world.
South Australian rider Troy Brosnan made the most of the conditions, taking out his 5th Australian Open Downhill win. He rode the course in 5 minutes 20 seconds just a pedal stroke ahead of Australian Jackson Frew with Connor Fearon in third.
In the pro women’s World Cub Canberra rider Sian A’Hern took out first place with a 5:52, in second was Jindabyne’s Tegan Molloy and third .
It was the best all round riders Connor Fearon and Sian A’Hern won the prestigious title of King and Queen of Cannonball, a reward for their consistent podiums in events across the weekend.
The heavy hitting line-up of riders loved the racing and vibe around this year’s event.
“Stoked to spend the week here in Thredbo for one of my favourite events of the year. With over 1,000 competitors plus heaps of specators, it made for such a great vibe. It was great to represent Thredbo and take out the win” Australia Pro, Sian A’Hern.
“Such a rad week, so good to race with some of the best in the world and great prep for the big season ahead. Stoked to take out the King of Cannonball, Thredbo turned it on this week “ World Cup Rider, Connor Fearon.
Results for the events included:
SRAM Australian Open Downhill
Troy Brosnan made the most of the conditions, sliding in top spot making it his fifth win, this win makes Brosnan the most decorated Australian Open Downhill winner.
In the pro women’s World Cub Canberra rider Sian A’Hern took out first place with a 5:52, in second was Jindabyne’s Tegan Molloy and third .
Maxxis Flow Motion Cup
It was a heavy hitting line up of Australia’s best on the podium for the Maxxis Flow Motion Cup. The Flow Trail offers competitors the chance to push their speed to the limits with never ending rollers and smooth berms to blast to the bottom.
Josh Carlson took out the win with an incredible time of 8:10, only 0.79 seconds in front of Tim Eaton with Connor Fearon riding into third.
The females absolutely destroyed the course with confidence and speed! Sian A’Hern from Canberra raced to the finish in a time of 8:45, 16 seconds ahead of Leanna Curtis with Lucy Mackie coming in third.
Osprey All Mountain Assault
The Osprey All-Mountain Assault was the first event to kick off the seventh Cannonball Festival and it definitely set the benchmark for the high intensity and skilled riding throughout the entire festival. The All Mountain Trail is 10km of natural terrain with climbs, berms, line variety and more, offering all riders a challenging course.
In the men’s pro division, Josh Carlson took the out the win with an amazing 10:28:67, followed by Mitch Ropelato and with Connor Fearon flying into third.
In the pro women’s Sian A’Hern took the win at 11:45, only 0.58 seconds ahead of Zoe Cuthbert with Lucy Mackie in third.
Rock Shox Pump Track Challenge
The Rock Shox Pump Track Challenge is one of the competitor and crowd favourites! Mother Nature delivered awesome weather for an afternoon and night of non-stop racing and good times.
Ellie Smith ripped through the new Pump Track course taking top spot in the pro women’s with Zoe Cuthbert in second and Harriet Burbidge-Smith in third.
The pro men’s was a crowd pleaser as some of the best riders in the world took to the track. It was super close racing coupled with a few big crashes. Taking the win was Connor Fearon with Luke A Meier-Smith in second and Jackson Frew in third.
Deity Whip Wars
40 of the best riders in the world took on the 30 foot jump specially designed to launch them into the air in order to please the crowd and judges with the ultimate whip!
They were judged on the biggest sideways whip with air, style, steeze plus crowd pleasing tricks filled the rider’s pockets with cash. Trick of the day definitely went to Ryan Dawson who launched a massive superman that saw the massive hillside crowd erupt with applause.
Hugo Frixtalon all the way from France took out the win, followed by the crowd favourite and king of the air Dave “The Magician” McMillan in second and third was the Tim Eaton.
The girls took to the air impressing the 1,000 spectators! The winner was Harriet Burbridge-Smith and Leanna Curtis landed on the podium in second.
All in all, the Cannonball Mountain Bike Festival took everything to new heights this year with more action, entertainment, competitors and more than ever before! Riders, spectators, family and friends all loved the festival atmosphere and fast paced fury on the mountain each day, definitely an event for the books.
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Thredbo sits on the traditional land of the Monero – Ngarigo people who have looked after this land, water and community for over 60,000 years. We thank them for all they have done and continue to do to look after their country, a special place which we all love and respect.
