Australia’s Sian A’Hern and Jackson Frew claimed wins in the final round of the inaugural Oceania MTB Continental Series in Cairns.

At the conclusion of the final round of the series Lachlan Stevens-McNab and Jenna Hastings of New Zealand were crowned the first series winners.

In the elite women’s dual Oceania Champion A’Hern tasted victory in round three was dominant to taking the win in 3mins 46.353secs ahead of fellow Oceania Champion Tracey Hannah (Australia), five seconds back with Sacha Mills (Australia) completing the top three and claiming her second series podium a further four seconds behind.

“I’ve looked up to Tracey since I started racing bikes. I’ve always wanted to beat her. To always have been so close to her and finally beat her is insane,” said A’Hern.”

I’m just super proud of how I handled myself this week. I really enjoyed riding my bike. I just wanted to show what I could do on a bike, and I feel like I achieved that today.”

Round 5 Results
1 Sian A’Hern (Australia) 3:46.353
2 Tracey Hannah (Australia) 3:51.493
3 Sacha Mills (Australia) 3:55.991

New Zealand’s Jenna Hastings took the overall series victory despite missing the final round having claimed wins in three of the five rounds to finish on 270 points. The late charge by A’Hern saw her finish second on 207, having taken the other two wins. Mills completed the series podium in 130 courtesy of two podium appearances.

Series Standings
1 Jenna Hastings (New Zealand) 270
2 Sian A’Hern (Australia) 207
3 Sacha Mills (Australia) 130

Frew saved his best for last in the elite men’s category to add to his win in round three. His time of 3mins 17.975secs was just under a minute clear of Ryan Gilchrist (Australia) who earned his first top three of the series. Jackson Connelly (Australia) collected a second top three in 3mins 21.218secs.

“I put everything into that run, and I took some risks that I really didn’t want to have to – especially in practice pulling that last jump,” said Frew.

Round 5 Results
1 Jackson Frew (Australia) 3:17.965
2 Ryan Gilchrist (Australia) 3:18.777
3 Jackson Connelly (Australia) 3:21.218

Lachlan Stevens-McNab (New Zealand) early success in the series with two wins and a second place sealed him the series win on 250 points. Two wins in the final three rounds gave Frew a late charge to finish on 189 in second with Connolly a further six back.

Series Standings
1 Lachlan Stevens-McNab (New Zealand) 250
2 Jackson Frew (Australia) 189
3 Jackson Connelly (Australia) 183

In the under 19 men’s Hudson Tarling who had three top eight finishes to his name broke through to secure the win in the final round, narrowly edging countryman Oliver Colthup by less than a tenth of a second and 2024 Oceania Champion Lachlan Roberts by just three tenths.

Round 5 Results
1 Hudson Tarling 3:23.409
2 Oliver Colthup 3:23.469
3 Lachlan Roberts 3:23.825

Rory Meek led a top three lockout by New Zealand riders in the overall series title with a win and top three finish in the opening four rounds to finish on 95 points, ahead of Tyler Waite and Oli Clark both on 90.

Series Standings
1 Rory Meek 95
2 Tyler Waite 90
3 Oli Clark 90

2024 Oceania Champion Elleni Turkovic (Australia) was dominated in the under 19 women’s category stopping the clock in 3mins 58.257secs, nine seconds clear of series leader Indy Deavoll (New Zealand) in second and Matilda Henness (Australia) in third.

Round 5 Results
1 Elleni Turkovic (Australia) 3:58.257
2 Indy Deavoll (New Zealand) 4:07.449
3 Matilda Henness (Australia) 4:08.982

Consistency was key for Deavoll who claimed the elite Oceania title in March, with a win and three second place finishes earning her 105 points to claim the series. Henness on 81 and Turkovic on 68 rounded out the top three.

Series Standings
1 Indy Deavoll (New Zealand) 105
2 Matilda Henness (Australia) 81
3 Elleni Turkovic (Australia) 68

Final Series Standings