One of Australia’s biggest mountain biking events, the Cannonball MTB Festival, is running this week in NSW’s Snowy Mountains.

What is Cannonball MTB Festival?

The Cannonball MTB Festival is Australia’s biggest gravity mountain bike festival. Cannonball is running from the 13th-18th of February at Thredbo Gravity Bike Park and includes a massive line-up of events for all levels. Whether you’re keen to see young groms rip it or watch pro bikers competing for national titles, there’s something for all mountain biking enthusiasts.

 

What events are running?

Cannonball is dominated by five key events;

1. Fox Flow Motion Cup

Racers must head down Thredbo’s 5km Kosciuszko Flow Trail complete with steep banked berms and rolling traverses.

2. Osprey All-Mountain Assault

This event includes a gruelling 5km undulating descent containing technical descents, natural obstacles, smaller jump options, and pinch climbs.

3. Rockshox Pump Track Challenge

In the Pump Track riders pump, double, and manual around the course without a single pedal stroke.

4. Deity Whip Wars Big Air

As an invite-only event, the Whip Wars sees some of the greatest mountain bikers of all time sending it sideways on the super booter.

5. Oakley Australian Open Downhill

Taking place on the black level Cannonball track, this super technical race is comprised of rocky chutes, booters, slippery roots, and high speed straights with speeds not dissimilar to those found on your average World Cup course.

This year the AusCycling Australian Nationals MTB Championships is occurring at the same time at Thredbo, with professional riders competing for National Downhill and Pump Track titles.

Read more: Mountain Biking Slang 101

How can I participate?

Whilst registrations to race in Cannonball have closed, the festival is the ultimate spectator daydream for any MTB enthusiast. Some of the best mountain bikers, like Troy Brosnan and Caroline Buchanan, will be heading to Thredbo for competitions, so it’s an excellent opportunity to see them at their very best. And with several MTB trails still open for the public, DJ events, and the Official Cannonball After Party, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy mountain biking your way.

 

Feature photo thanks to AusCycling