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Preview: 2025 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships

Mar 11, 2025

Reputations will go on the line at Mt Buller in Victoria’s High Country where the 2025 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships takes place from March 11-16. 

To be crowned national champion, and to wear the green and gold sleeves for the next 12 months is the stuff of dreams for many athletes and this week is their time to do so.

Let’s dive into what’s in store for this year’s national championships.

WHAT ARE THE RACES THIS YEAR

This year the championships will feature two disciplines:

  • Downhill (DH): Riders will tackle steep, technical descents, testing their speed, control, and nerve.
  • Cross-Country (XC): Athletes will navigate challenging terrains that demand both endurance and tactical prowess.

Each discipline will be contested by various age categories, including Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-23, Elite, Masters, and Adaptive riders.

The championships open on the Wednesday March 12th with the downhill adaptive race.

Thursday sees the first of the XC  competition with adaptive racing, E-bike and the team relay format, which this year will crown a club champion.

The explosive XCC (short course) format is part of an action-packed Friday, which also sees  downhillerssees downhillers hit the mountain  primed for their seeding runs.

On Saturday the major focus turns to the International course where the downhill title is up for grabs during three and a half hours of racing.

The final day of the competition, Sunday is closed out with the cross-country Olympic format in what is expected to be a brutal quest for the gold.

WHO WILL BE RACING?

Downhill

Troy Brosnan goes into the event as always, a red-hot favourite having comes off a World Cup win at the end of the 2024 season.

The last time the Adelaide speedster stood on the top step at the National Championships was back in 2021. If the new dad can do it, again in 2024 on Saturday the 15th it will be his eighth elite national title – an incredible feat.

Luke Meier-Smith has been unstoppable on home soil, dominating the National Championships in recent years. The New South Wales rider is chasing his third straight elite title, a streak not seen since Brosnan's reign in 2018.

There are plenty of other threats with World Cup talents Remy Meier-Smith, Kye A’Hern and Ollie Davis among the fastest men when it comes to the final run. Expect to see Jackson Connelly and Jackson Frew knocking on the podium door too.

In the women, a new champion will be crowned after Ellie Smith injured herself at Crankworx Rotorua last week and will not lineup at the event.

That leaves the door open for Canberra’s Sian A’Hern who missed last year due to injury and Mansfield native Elise Empey, who has recently signed with Atherton Racing and would love to claim her first elite podium after silver in 2024.

The junior fields are also brimming with some exceptional up and coming young riders ready to make a name for themselves.

XC

There’s no denying the weight of expectation Rebecca Henderson carries into the championships having not lost a nationa XCO crown in an astonishing 20 years.  

Can she make it 21 on the Sunday?

After her year racing on the World Cup circuit, Zoe Cuthbert will be out to defend her XCC crown and push Henderson once again all the way in the XCO.

Izzy Flint, who has been solid in the National Series races, will make her presence felt in the elite category for the first time at the National Championships.

There is plenty of talk about 19-year-old Jack Ward heading into the week after his impressive National Series form, winning six of the seven rounds in the elite men including beating New Zealand’s Anton Cooper at the UCI Continental round in Canberra.

But the baton may not be passed so easily to the next generation with defending champion Cameron Ivory along with the experienced Scott Bowden and last year’s bronze medalist Dan McConnell building to the biggest race of the season.

The Under 23's and juniors will be stacked with talent and highly competitive.

Courses

Downhill

The DH competition will take place on International, a world-class downhill track featuring: • Total Elevation Drop: Approx. 300m

• Length: Approx. 1.8km

• Average Gradient: 17%

• Key Features: Steep rock gardens, double road gaps, tight switchbacks, and high-speed technical sections.

This demanding course will challenge riders with technical precision, high-speed sections, and significant elevation changes.

Adaptive DH racing will be held on Copperhead, a machine-built flow trail that offers progressive terrain with berms and rollers, making it more accessible for adaptive riders.

Cross-Country Olympic (XCO)

The XCO course has been designed to provide a true championship-level experience, incorporating a mix of steep climbs, fast descents, rock gardens, and tight switchbacks.

The course will interact with Village Square, ensuring exceptional spectator access.

• Total Elevation Gain per Lap: Approx. 150m

• Lap Distance: Approx. 4.7km

• Key Trails Used:

• One Tree Hill – Steep climbing sections testing rider endurance.

• Gang Gangs – Flowing singletrack with technical rock features.

• Soul Revival – Fast sections with natural obstacles and flow.

• Split Rock – Rocky descents requiring technical skill.

Races will start and finish in Village Square, bringing the action directly to the event village for a spectator-friendly experience.

Cross-Country Short Course (XCC)

The XCC course is a short, explosive circuit designed for fast-paced, tactical racing.

It will be fully integrated into Village Square, ensuring excellent crowd engagement.

• Lap Distance: Approx. 700-800m

• Key Features: Tight corners, punchy climbs, and fast descents designed for high-intensity racing.

All courses have been developed to highlight Mount Buller’s natural terrain while delivering an exciting racing experience for both competitors and spectators.

Follow on Socials

Photo galleries and highlights packages will be uploaded across our social channels throughout the Championships.

You can follow along and join in with the #GWMMTBNats25 hashtag.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusCyclingMTBCX

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auscyclingaus/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AusCycling

Website: https://mtbnationals.org.au/

Photo Credit: Matt Rousu Photography