The 2026 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships unfolded at Mount Buller from March 18 to 22, 2026, showcasing Australia’s premier downhill and cross-country talent. (mtbuller.com.au)
Downhill (DHI) Highlights:
In the Elite Men’s Downhill, Luke Meier-Smith clinched his fourth consecutive national title, matching the record set by Tracey Hannah and Troy Brosnan. Jackson Connelly and Zac Bradley secured second and third places, respectively. (en.wikipedia.org)
The Elite Women’s Downhill saw Eleni Turkovic, a first-year Elite rider, speed to victory. Former national champions Ellie Smith and Sian A’Hern took silver and bronze. (en.wikipedia.org)
Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) Highlights:
In the Elite Men’s XCO, Jack Ward dominated the seven-lap race, finishing 1:19 ahead of Harry Doye. Reuben Page-Brown claimed the U23 title. (cyclingnews.com)
Rebecca Henderson secured her 13th consecutive Elite Women’s XCO title, finishing over four minutes ahead of second-place Sarah Tucknott. Rising star Ruby Taylor, racing in the U23 category, impressed by clocking only slightly slower laps and overtaking all but Henderson. (cyclingnews.com)
Event Overview:
The championships featured a range of disciplines, including Downhill, Cross-Country Olympic, Short Track, and Team Relay events. Riders competed across various categories, from Elite to Adaptive, on Mount Buller’s challenging alpine trails. (mtbuller.com.au)
For a visual recap of the XCO finals, you can watch the highlights below:
2026 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships – Day 5 (XCO)