Aussies primed to start Downhill World Cup opener at Fort William

Twenty-two of Australia's downhill riders will open up their Whoop UCI Mountain Bike Series season at the famous Fort William this weekend.

Fort William has been hosting UCI Mountain Bike World Cups since 2002 and has been the setting of some of the most iconic moments in downhill mountain biking history.

One of the longest courses (2.8km) on the UCI DHI World Cup circuit, it pits competitors against a brutal, energy-sapping race run, while unpredictable and changeable conditions can often lead to some surprising results.

Last year, it hosted the 2023 UCI Downhill World Championships where the nine of the Australian riders competed as part of the ARA Australian Cycling Team.

Troy Brosnan (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) finished with a top 5 result.

However it will be Luke Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) who will enter the season with the Aussie sleeve agin after his scintillating performance at the GWM Mountain Bike National Championships in Lake Macquarie two months ago to win his second National title.

He will be joined by his brother Remy in the elite men category along with Kye A'Hern (Kenda NS Bikes URTeam), Josh Arcus, Jackson Connelly (Team High Country), Oliver Davis (Commencal/Schawlbe), Connor Fearon (Forbidden Synthesis Team), Jobe Gentle (Team High Country), Micheal Hannah (Yeti/Fox Factory Racing Team), William Hynes (Forbidden Synthesis Team) and William Pope (Forbidden Synthesis Team).

Despite missing the National Championships, Sian A'Hern (YT Mob) will be back in action in the elite women's field along with silver medallist from Lake Macquarie Elise Empey (Team High Country) who finished 24th at the World Championships last year.

After her first World Cup podium at Les Gets last year newly signed (Scott Downhill Factory Rider) Sacha Mills can't wait to get between the tape for her second year in the junior women category.

The Queenslander returns to the bike after a month on the sideline with a shoulder injury.

A field of 81 junior men will be in the hunt for the first gold medal of the season at Fort Bill.

National Championships bronze medallist Zac Bradley another Team High Country rider will be joined by Rye Carlyon, Callum Crofts (Raw Fusion Racing), Carter Sloane (Synergy 37) and Benjamin Wilson (Raw Fusion Racing).

Full list of riders can be found here.

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Main Image: SWpix