The second stop of the Crankworx World Tour 2024 saw athletes tackling the legendary Smithfield Downhill track in Cairns. This course, known for its narrow turns through the tropical rainforest, became even more demanding with 24 hours of intermittent rain showers, challenging the riders with slippery roots and a technical Rock Garden. Despite these tough conditions, returning competitors Tracey Hannah and Connor Fearon emerged victorious in the RockShox Downhill Cairns event.
Women’s Category
Local favorite Tracey Hannah, who had seeded first, delivered an exceptional performance. Starting last, she raced through the finish with an impressive 18-second lead over fellow Australian Ellie Smith. Martha Gill from Great Britain secured third place, narrowly ahead of rising star Elleni Turkovic. Hannah, reflecting on her win and her return to racing after a year-long hiatus, commented on the challenging yet enjoyable experience, especially with her 6-month-old son Cooper in the crowd.
- Tracey HANNAH (AUS): 4:22.336
- Ellie SMITH (AUS): +17.922
- Martha GILL (GBR): +22.905
Men’s Category
In the men’s race, Connor Fearon clinched the gold medal with a smooth and controlled run, despite the challenging conditions. Fearon, absent from Crankworx Cairns for a year, improved on his previous silver medal from 2022. He outperformed his main competitor, Mick Hannah, who faced technical issues in the Rock Garden. Joel Sutherland, another hometown hero, secured second place with an exhilarating run, while Jackson Frew, who won a silver medal in the Specialized Dual Slalom the previous day, rounded out the podium.
- Connor FEARON (AUS): 3:42.495
- Joel SUTHERLAND (AUS): +3.026
- Jackson FREW (AUS): +6.434
The event’s variable weather conditions—from heavy rain to sunny skies and gusty winds—kept both athletes and spectators on edge, adding to the thrill of the competition.