An impressive Downhill squad of 22 riders will represent the ARA Australian Cycling Team at this month’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
The AusCycling National Selection Panel has today announced 10 elite men and women who will join the 12 juniors already selected for the competition in Val di Sole, Italy.
The team is headlined by reigning elite national champions Elleni Turkovic and Luke Meier-Smith, the latter having also won the Oceania title earlier this season.
Turkovic, who at age 18 is in her first season out of the junior ranks, will be joined in the elite women’s event by Elise Empey and Sacha Mills.
Elleni Turkovic will step up for her first elite representation.
Returning for his 16th World Championship appearance will be Adelaide veteran Troy Brosnan, a seven-time medallist in the elite men’s event.
Jackson Connelly and Zac Bradley-Hudson, both on the podium at the 2026 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships, have also earned selection.
Also selected are Jed Stanton, Patrick Ward, William Hynes and Hudson Tarling. Hynes and Tarling, however, declined their positions on the team prior to today’s announcement. As a replacement athlete, the Selection Panel has named Victoria’s Ollie Davis, who earned a top-10 result at the 2024 edition of the World Championships.
Zac Bradley-Hudson returns after a top-10 place in the juniors last year.
The team will be led by the experience Mick Hannah as the Australian head coach.
“After competing at 21 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships as an athlete, I'm excited to experience my first as Downhill Head Coach,” said Hannah.
“It's a privilege to now support the next generation of Australian downhill riders. This team has earned its place through consistent performances throughout the season, and it's exciting to bring together athletes with a wealth of World Championship and World Cup experience alongside a talented group of young riders.
“I know they'll represent Australia with pride and push each other to perform at their very best in Val di Sole.”
Qualification for Downhill will take place on August 28, followed by the finals on August 29.
In selecting the squad, the Panel considered the published selection criteria, including minimum performance standards and mandatory event attendance. No expressions of interest were received from any other elite women athletes who fulfilled the criteria.
In further updates, Oliver Kinghorn has declined his position in the junior squad. He will be replaced by the reserve athlete Jesse Bocking.
Jackson Connelly in action in 2025.
ARA Australian Cycling Team | 2026 UCI MTB World Championships | Downhill
Elite Women
- Elise Empey (Mt Buller Cycling Club, VIC)
- Sacha Mills (Kooralbyn Valley MTB Club, QLD)
- Elleni Turkovic (Garigal Gorillas, NSW)
Elite Men
- Zac Bradley-Hudson (Jindabyne Cycling Club, NSW)
- Troy Brosnan (Inside Line DH, SA)
- Jackson Connelly (Jindabyne Cycling Club, NSW)
- Oliver Davis (Albury Wodonga Mountain Bikers, VIC)
- William Hynes (Coot-tha MTB, QLD)*
- Luke Meier-Smith (Maning Great Lakes Tip Riders, NSW)
- Jed Stanton (Red Hill Riders MTB Club, VIC)
- Hudson Tarling (Mountain Biking East Gippsland, VIC)*
- Patrick Ward (Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers, VIC)
Junior Women
- Zuri Acheson (Garigal Gorillas, NSW)
- Tilly Boadle (Red Hill Riders MTB Club, VIC)
- Matilda Henness (Jindabyne Trail Stewardship, NSW)
- Rebecca Sams (Tamworth Mountain Bikers, NSW)
Junior Men
- Byron Best (Outlook Riders Alliance, QLD)
- Jesse Bocking (Jindabyne Cycling Club, NSW)
- Oliver Colthup (Toowoomba MTB Club, QLD)
- Bryn Couzin (Western Sydney MTB Club, NSW)
- Oliver Kinghorn (Woolgoolga MTB Club, NSW)*
- Bailey Mills (Kooralbyn Valley MTB Club, QLD)
- Jonte Tummon (Hobart Wheelers Dirt Devils, TAS)
- Daniel Turkovic (Garigal Gorillas, NSW)
- Rhys Wellings (RATS Cycling Club, QLD)
*Selected, but declined to compete.
Photos: SWpix.com