A XC-llent day for the Australians at the Masters World Championships

Six Australians have claimed the cross-country rainbow jersey after the culmination of the 2024 UCI MTB Masters World Championships in Cairns, Queensland on Sunday.

Another bluebird day at Smithfield Mountain Bike Park and a brutal course awaited the first group of riders, which included the oldest competitor at the event, John Leslie, in the 80-84 category.

His gold medal would be followed by five other Australian’s including Bev Anderson in the 65-69 who defended her 2023 title in Argentina.

Sharon Heap has waited eight years to finally take on her biggest rival Gertrude BØ from Norway in the 60-64 age group.

It would be four laps of a masterclass from the Queenslander.

Queensland's Sharon Heap wins World Championships category in Cairns.

“It’s been a long time coming.

“It’s great I got to race my hardcore overseas competition I am just so happy,” the 2016 World Champion commented post race.

After struggling during practice Sarah Collis was ready to head back to Western Australia the night before her race.

But her decision to stay proved right as she took home the gold

“I just came out here to enjoy myself.

“When we think the bar is high and our technical capacity is lower just give it a crack. Very unexpected,” as she claimed the 55-59 category.

There was more unexpected glory as Imogen Smith rode her way into a rainbow jersey in the 40-44 category.

The Brisbane based rider producing the ultimate debut in such an intense race.

“Everything is such a blur, but the crowd were cheering my name and it felt so good.

“It’s my first-time racing master's and I think I like masters racing,” she said post-race.

Adrian Jackson would be the final Australian to feature on top of the podium as he put in a final lap scorcher to claim the gold medal and rainbow jersey in the Male 40-44.

“Last lap was really brutal. Felt like I was bleeding through my eyeballs once I hit the finish straight it was all good.”

Spain's Tommy Misser wins his second gold medal of the Masters World Championships. 

International fan favourites who also competed at the 1996 World Championships David “Tinker” Juarez and Tommy Misser would also walk away with a gold medal.

Full results can be found here.

Photo Credit: Emily Barker