Three in a row: Luke Meier-Smith conquers Buller dust to win downhill national championship

A roar of elation rose into the air, followed quickly by Luke Meier-Smith’s goggles, as the 22-year-old launched them skyward in celebration of winning his third consecutive downhill national title.

On the dry, dusty course at Mount Buller, Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) bested perennial favourite Troy Brosnan (Canyon Racing Team) by half a second to win the elite men’s event at the 2025 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships.

Meier-Smith was the last rider on course, after pipping Brosnan to the fastest time by one second in yesterday’s seeding.

Meier-Smith attacks the dusty Mount Buller course.

Today, at the first timing point, the defending champion was slightly behind Brosnan, who had set the fastest split on the sandy, wooded section atop the 1.8-kilometre course.

But Meier-Smith found another level of speed near the bottom. He clawed back nearly a full second on the lower half of the trail, which featured an open switchback section on a ski slope and a fast straightaway to the finish.

That proved the difference, and even though slightly slower than his seeding run, Meier-Smith had done enough to retain his national title.

The Manning Great Lakes Tip Rider becomes the first downhill rider since Brosnan himself to win a hat-trick of elite men’s national championships.

The defending champion made it three in a row.

“I made it pretty tough for myself last night, pretty sleepless, so I didn’t get much rest and I was feeling it on that run. But I held on. I had some loose moments, but I’m really happy to make it three in a row,” Meier-Smith said.

“It means so much. I worked my ass off for this. I’m feeling really good on my bike this year and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.

“Every year – three times now – I get more and more nervous pretty much every year. I’m really happy with where I am and looking forward to the World Cup season which is just around the corner now. I can’t wait for that.”

Troy Brosnan said he gave it everything on his run.

“You’re going to have mistakes, but there wasn’t many for me. Everything was perfect, and I pushed as hard as I could, so tops up to ‘Lukey Boy’ for getting it three times in a row,” Brosnan said.

After a long stint in the GWM Cannon Hot Seat, Kye A’Hern (Kenda NS Bikes UR Team) held on for the final medal position, redeeming his week after crashing in seeding yesterday.

Results – Elite Men Downhill

1. Luke Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team / Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders) 2:58.981
2. Troy Brosnan (Canyon Factory Racing / Inside Line) 0.586
3. Kye A’Hern (Kenda NS Bikes UR Team / Canberra Off-Road Cyclists) +2.422
4. Jackson Connelly (The Alliance / Jindabyne CC) +2.614
5. Ryan Gilchrist (Coffs Harbour CC) +3.867

Photos: Matt Rousu