Aussies Primed for UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships

Australia will this week be represented by 37 of our very best riders, as they get set to take on the rest of the world at the 2015 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships in Vallnord, Andorra. 

Andorra is no stranger to international mountain bike events having already hosted three World Cups, in 2008, 2009 and most recently in 2013.  The XCO track designed to test the riders’ strength and stamina with the high altitude will play a critical role, while the acclaimed downhill track has been redesigned and will be more physically demanding than ever.

Headlining Australia in the elite men’s downhill will be Troy Brosnan, who recently finished third in the UCI World Cup season, and will be hoping to improve on his third placed medal last year in Hafjell. Brosnan heads into the event primed for success, whilst acknowledging how incredible it feels to represent his country.

“My preparation coming into the World’s has been great, I feel really strong and fast. After having a really good race in Val Di Sole I am excited and keen to race here in Andorra,” Brosnan said.

“Ultimately there is only one thing I will be happy with here this week, and that would be winning.

“It feels amazing to be representing my country, knowing I have the whole of Australia behind me. I just have to make them proud.”

In the elite women’s downhill, Tracey Hannah will be looking to replicate the form that saw her grab bronze two years ago in Pietermaritzburg, while reigning junior world champion Tegan Molloy has made the step up to the elite class and will no doubt keep her opponents on their toes.

Australia boasts a strong contingent of medal chances in the men’s junior downhill competition, most notably with Thredbo’s Andrew Crimmins, who finished second in this year’s UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season.

In the elite men’s cross country, Daniel McConnell will be chasing his first world championships medal, buoyed by his fifth placed performance at the penultimate World Cup round in Windham, USA. Although McConnell acknowledges his World Cup season wasn’t as strong as he had hoped, he is confident that a medal is not out of the question.  

“I have been feeling really good in training, so now just have to put it all together in the race situation,” McConnell said. 

“I have specifically done multiple altitude camps this year to prepare myself for the course in Andorra, so I really hope it pays off.

“It’s been a tough year for me in the World Cup’s, so I would love to finish the season on a high. If I have a good day, the podium is not out of reach.”

In the elite women’s cross country, Rebecca Henderson will fly the Aussie flag solo as she looks to improve on her 15th place finish last year.

Another strong medal prospect for Australia comes in the form of Janine Jungfels who will compete in the women’s Observed Trial. Jungfels is coming off an impressive second place in the recent World Cup in Albertville, France, with the result well and truly stoking her competitive fire.

“Having finished 2nd by just 1 point recently in Albertville, I’m looking forward to putting in a good fight for the title this week in Andorra,” Jungfels said.

“I want to be World Champion.”

You will be able to stream some of the action this week via redbull.tv with the schedule as follows:

Elite Women’s Cross Country Final: Saturday, September 5 at 7.50pm EST 

Elite Men’s Cross Country Final: Saturday, September 5 at 10.20pm EST 

Downhill Finals: Sunday, September 6 at 8.25pm EST 

A full schedule of the week’s racing can be found here: http://bit.ly/1NI9hah

Australian Team