BMX Freestyle

2017 World Champion Logan Martin's experience was too good on the day, topping qualifying on the Saturday before delivering two spectacular one-minute runs in Sunday’s final.

Martin’s best score of his two runs was 93-points which gave him the crown, three points ahead of reigning world champion Brandon Loupos (90pts), with Joshua Matthews (87pts) rounding out the podium in bronze.

“It feels amazing to pull on the green and gold (jersey). I was going for the three-peat today, that’s the goal I had set out, to take home another gold. To be Australian champion three times in a row is amazing," Martin said.

“I’m super stoked on the runs I pulled, pretty much did everything I had planned, one or two things in each run I had to sacrifice, but for the most part that was what I had planned.

“The standard of riding is really going through the roof. The progression rate on BMX Freestyle in Australia is amazing right now. We had an amazing turnout as well, especially after having the year we’ve had with minimal events. To see everyone get behind the 2021 Nationals is amazing.

“It's amazing to be back out there after a year of training, we were at home trying to better ourselves, and to not have many events over the last year was difficult. It’s really good to get out there and do what we have been practising in the last year."

World number six, Natalya Diehm defended her title with a stylish and courageous display.

After suffering a broken wrist in training in February, Diehm was initially ruled out of the Championships. However, she received medical clearance on Thursday after arriving in Melbourne just forty-eight hours before the final.

After hosting a come and try clinic with the next generation of Australia’s BMX Freestylers, Diehm rode to gold while unable to perform at 100% and with a borrowed bike and helmet.

“I’m so happy I could actually ride even with a hand injury, just coming off a broken hand. I’m super excited to defend my title," Diehm said.

“It wasn’t until the flight here that I got medical clearance for the ride, so I didn’t have my bike or my helmet, it was all borrowed, but I did my best and got the gold.

“All a part of the journey, I’m super excited, can’t wait to get back to 100% and give it my best.”

Mountain Bike

The snow that was predicted over-night made way for the rain, which meant most riders across all categories opted for wet weather tyres.

McConnell was not about the let go of the elite women's jersey she has held for the past seven years and took a five-minute gap to the field after the first of four loops.

The two-time World Championship bronze medalist proved a class above in the muddy conditions, which saw several riders struggling to gain traction on the climbs.

First-year elite rider Zoe Cuthbert (ACT) did her best to pull back the ever-broadening gap, but vintage McConnell was producing one of her finest victories in front of her.

The Canberran crossed the line more than 12 minutes ahead of Cuthbert in silver and Karen Hill (VIC) in bronze to continue her 15-year winning streak at the National Championships across each age category.

The elite men closed out the cross-country portion of the Championships, and like his wife before him, Dan McConnell (ACT) went straight to the front of the field, asking them to catch them if they can.

Tasmanian Ben Bradley did his best before being dropped, which left it to Cameron Ivory (NSW), Jared Graves (QLD) and Tasman Nankervis (VIC) to reel in McConnell.

Out front, the man they call "Diesel Dan" was powering up the climbs and skating down the descents as the rain made conditions tricky.

But it was a masterclass from McConnell riding his way to another green and gold jersey.

Aus Cycling