Well the dust/mud has well and truly settled, the 2023 UCI World cup in Pal Arinsal, Andorra & Les Gets, France “Les Portes Du Soleil” has been run & won.

So lets rewind back to the August 4-5: UCI Mountain Bike World Championships – Fort William, Scotland (DHI)

HMBA are proud to say that two of our DH members where picked in the ARA Australian Cycling Team, Josh Arcus Elite Men & William Ireland Junior Men. What an honour for both Josh & Will to represent their country in a sport they love wearing the green & gold, compared to humble beings coming to the club as 13 & 10yr olds being guilded down Monkey, relishing the challenge that the Awaba Downhill “The Monkey” throws at you. The adrenaline & smiles for miles. The Boys cut their teeth riding gaining valuable skills, it was an honour to watch them grow, competing at Club, State, National & then on the International World Scene, “Well Done” guys!

Josh & Will’s report on their World Championship experience….

Josh Arcus

“I had a great weekend at my first Elite world champs in Fort William. It’s always so cool to be able to represent your country and I’m grateful for the opportunity. P39 in the end for me which was above my expectations so I was super happy with that. Was great timing for me while being back at home preparing for world champs the Awaba DH track re-opened and it was the perfect track to prepare on. Massive thanks to the club for the continued support, keen to get home and cut some laps of the monkey with everyone again!“

William “Will” Ireland

The HMBA club has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. I feel very lucky to have had the support of the amazing HMBA family along my riding journey. Growing up as a your junior surrounded by riders like Pat Butler, Jack Moir and Graeme Mudd with the support of Coleen, Rick and Sarah has provided me with the encouragement and enthusiasm to follow my dream. It has been a wild ride since the first time I rode Awaba DH when I was 10 years old, to racing my first world championships 7 years later.

The 2023 European season kicked off with an amazing team camp with the commencal crew in andorra. After the team camp we moved on to the first 3 rounds of the World Cup season. These rounds were a big eye opener on how steep, gnarly and fast these European tracks are. Fort William, Scotland was a dream come true. The track was long, rough and physical but I loved every second of it and was stoked to finish 32nd. Wearing the green and gold representing my country as well as my club for the first time was an experience I will never forget and I am extremely gratefull.