There was no easing into the season at the opening round of the AusCycling Downhill National Series, which took place at Falls Creek in Victoria.
In elite men Jackson Connelly laid down a 3:05.47 that proved just enough to take the top step. Zac Bradley and Hudson Tarling filled the minor placings.
Jackson Connelly on his way to the top step of the podium at Falls Creek.
Last year’s national championship bronze medallist Kye A'Hern was in the mix but missed the podium in fourth.
Sacha Mills took control when it counted in the elite women’s race to secure the win ahead of Zali Miklas in second, with Bella Schofield in third.
In the under 19 ranks, Tilly Boadle fired an early warning shot ahead of the 2026 GWm Mountain Bike National Championships in two weeks at Mt Buller.
The Victorian stopped the clock at 3:34.10, which would have won the elite women’s race by more than 30 seconds.
There were big numbers for the opening round of the national series.
In junior boys Oliver Kinghorn came out on top in a stacked field. Defending junior national champion Oliver Colthrup was pushed down to 12th.
Round 2 of the Downhill National Series, which doubles as the Oceania Mountain Bike Championships, is at Toowoomba, Queensland on April 11- 12.
Full results can be found here.