Riding the momentum of his breakthrough World Cup victory at Lake Placid in October, Luke Meier-Smith is on a winning streak. The 23-year-old from New South Wales rolled up to the start of the Australian national downhill championship carrying the confidence of recent victories at Crankworx events held in Christchuch and Rotorua, New Zealand.
Set against the stunning alpine backdrop of Victoria’s High Country, the 1.8km downhill track at Mt Buller was packed with high-speed sections over steep rock gardens and double road gaps, as well as tight, technical switchbacks requiring pedaling fitness.
Aboard his Glory Advanced race bike, Meier-Smith posted a time of 2:53.907, 1.532 ahead of Jackson Connelly in second, and 2.096 ahead of Zac Bradley in third.
With his fourth consecutive title, Meier-Smith equaled a record held by Troy Brosnan and Tracey Hannah, the only other Australian downhill racers to achieve the feat.
“It’s super special,” Meier-Smith told Australian Cycling. “Every year it’s just another great opportunity to inspire the next generation and to showcase my riding and do all of my family and supporters proud. I’m super happy to come out on top again. Every year it gets harder and harder to keep my streak going."
Meier-Smith said he wasn't feeling 100 percent physically, but he was still able to deliver when it mattered. “I came down with a bit of a flu last night that definitely didn’t help me," he said. "It’s such a physical track you’ve just got to work for your speed. I definitely had a few loose moments, but kept it together well enough to come out on top.”
At the Crankworx Christchurch Redemption Downhill on February 21, Meier-Smith feathered the edge between chaos and control to clock a time of 4:23.88, winning by over three seconds ahead of second-place finisher Lachie Stevens-McNab.
Three weeks later, Meier-Smith was back on top at the Crankworx Rotorua Kārearea Downhill with a winning time of 2:59.445, 1.635 ahead of Giant Factory Off-Road Team rider Dane Jewett who finished second.
Next, Meier-Smith turns his attention toward the UCI Downhill World Cup series, which kicks off the 2026 season with round one in early May in South Korea.
