After five massive days of racing, riding and unrivalled mountain bike energy, Cannonball MTB Festival presented by Boost Mobile has wrapped for 2026 – and it may just have been the best one yet.
With more than 500 riders descending on Thredbo and over $120k in cash and prizes on the line, the mountain came alive from the very first practice laps to the final celebrations on Saturday night. Thanks to perfectly timed rainfall and some overnight moisture, dirt conditions stayed all-time throughout, setting the stage for world-class competition across every discipline.
From the opening stages of the Specialized All-Mountain Enduro to the high-speed rhythm of the Fox Flow Motion Cup and the head-to-head intensity of the Maxxis Dual Slalom, the depth of talent on show was undeniable. More than 400 riders threw down mid-week, with podium battles shaping the race for King and Queen of Cannonball titles as points stacked up across each event.
Across the week, festival highlights extended well beyond the race tape. The Specialized Party Laps brought the community together for no-pressure, full-train sends down the mountain, while the Oakley Pump Track Challenge lit up the Village Green with more than 300 competitors putting on a show for a packed crowd.
As always, the spotlight shone brightest on the RockShox Australian Open Downhill, where over 450 competitors put it all on the line on Thredbo’s notoriously technical track.
In a nail-biting Pro Men’s final, Troy Brosnan delivered when it counted to take out the win, ahead of Luke Meier-Smith in second and Zac Bradley in third. In the Pro Women’s field, Jenna Hastings (NZ) claimed top honours, with Elleni Turkovic and Pheobe Gale (GBR) rounding out the podium.
One standout performance came from Thredbo Ambassador, 14 year old Maddie Lloyd, who, despite not racing in the pro category, set the fastest overall women’s time on the downhill and the flow – firmly stamping herself as one to watch for the future.
Straight off the back of the Downhill finals, the crowd packed in for the always-unmissable Deity Whip Wars. Hundreds of spectators lined the finish arena to witness style, amplitude and full-send commitment, with Daniel Turkovic taking out Best Whip in the men’s, Zuri Acheson claiming the women’s title and 11 year old Weston Lukens (USA) stealing the show with Best Trick.
When the final points were tallied, consistency reigned supreme. Ryan Gilchrist was crowned King of Cannonball, with Elleni Turkovic taking the Queen of Cannonball title after an incredible strong week across multiple disciplines.
Celebrations rolled late into the night, with Aussie surf-rock favourite Hockey Dad delivering a huge live set that had the crowd buzzing.
Cannonball has once again cemented its place as Australia’s premier gravity MTB festival – blending elite racing, grassroots participation and pure gravity culture into one unforgettable week.
