Cannonball Festival: Day One Wrap

The weather turned on its summery best for the Toyota Cannonball MTB Festival Friday, it was warm and sunny and the mountain was buzzing with hundreds of riders hitting the Thredbo downhill and racing in the first event the ODI Dual Compressor. It was head to head dirt raising racing action with the downhillers taking on the 4X riders as they raced the clock and then one on one through the finely tuned course with berms, jumps and rhythm sections.

The quickest out of the drop gate held the advantage before a final hit out pedalling race to the finish. First across the line, pushed through to the next round, all the way to the final two who gave it all for their share of the prize pool. The pro division saw Graeme Mudd win the battle of the bikes with Blake Nielson second and local rider Thomas Crimmins nudging into third. In the pro women’s Harriet Burbridge-Smith took the win just ahead of Junior World Downhill Champion and Thredbo MTB rider Tegan Molloy with world cup rider Tracey Hannah in third.


The weather does change quickly in the mountains and it sure did for the Rock Shox Pump Track Challenge, the clouds rolled across the range and it poured rain. It certainly didn’t dampen the fun on this free-rolling technical course. A mix of young guns and old dogs hit the rain soaked track, with skill and determination on show.

The course proved a winning one for some and tricky for others with one competitor taking a dive off his bike and enjoying a swim on the way. It was a parade of women’s world champs with BMX and MTB star Caroline Buchanan styling is up on the muddy circuit, taking the win, Dani Beecroft rolled into second and world champ Tegan Molloy showing she is a quality all-rounder taking third place.


Pro men’s set a blistering pace with Blake Neilson narrowly edging out Thredbo MTB rider David McMillan and Ryan Hunt in third.


Today is Flow Motion Cup , after a mild and fine morning the weather has rolled in again, so mud action is guaranteed. Hoping for sunny skies ahead.

Full results from day one here.

thredbo.com.au

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