This weekend is the 2nd annual Thredbo Cannonball MTB Festival – three days of action, with five gravity-fed events down the steep hills of one of Australia’s most iconic mountain bike destinations – all for $45,000 in cash and prizes. Today saw the return of no-pedalling skill of the RockShox Pump Challenge and the introduction of the new (but old-school) head-to-head racing in the ODI Dual Compressor.
Thredbo threw open its arms with a warm and sunny day as the race action began in the ODI Dual Compressor. The Dual Compressor is a mix of dual slalom and 4X with two riders racing head-to-head on a short course. We saw some great racing and it was even greater to see some elbows (and heads) being thrown into the mix. In the elite women’s field Tracey Hannah ended up third, with Tegan Molloy in 2nd, and Harriet Burbidge-Smith in 1st. The men’s racing with super close with Graeme Mudd taking the win, Blake Nielson in 2nd, and Thomas Crimmins in 3rd.
The weather didn’t hold though and Thredbo showed its rainy side as the heavens opened on the Rock Shox Pump Challenge. Pump track racing is always popular and a huge field of young and old riders took the challenge against a technical and tight course. Even though the rain stuck around it didn’t get in the way of some great fun racing. The women’s race was won by former 4x World Champion Caroline Buchanan, with Daniel Beecroft in 2nd, and Tegan Molloy making her 2nd podium for the day in 3rd place. The men’s event was taken out by Blake Nielson (also for his 2nd podium of the day), with the always stylish Dave McMillan in 2nd and Ryan Hunt in 3rd.
Saturday brings the enduro event, the Flow Motion Cup, and seeding for the Australian Open Downhill race. Stay tuned for more action!