What a Weekend! Thank You, Cairns and Beyond
What an incredible weekend at the 2026 QLD MTB DH State Championships! Cairns MTB Club is no stranger to hosting epic events, but this one felt extra special — it was the first big race in a while that the club solely ran from start to finish, and you all helped make it unforgettable.cairnsmtb(opens in new tab)
To the riders
Huge congratulations to every single competitor, whether you stood on the podium or lined up for your first QLD state race. The “Worlds DH” track is one tough, technical, and long downhill, and everyone who tackled it showed serious guts. To those who didn’t get the weekend they planned — we see you, we know you’re tougher than you think, and we hope any injuries heal fast so you’re back on the bike soon. Results
To the volunteers and crew
This event simply wouldn’t have happened without the army of volunteers behind the scenes and on the hill. From event and course direction, timing, and shuttle coordination, to marshals, sweeps, registration, and event village helpers — every role mattered. Special thanks to: Cairns MTB for
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The course and event directors who kept radios buzzing, handovers smooth, and delays to a minimum.
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The timing guru who had systems ready, freight sorted, and everything running like clockwork.
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The shuttle coordinator and drivers, especially those using their own vehicles — your time and wheels are invaluable.
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The medical team and QAS crew, who were everywhere they were needed and hopefully saw more good vibes than emergencies.
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The silent trail fairies who turned up for working bees, trimmed vines, fixed drainage, and prepped corners so the course could shine.
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The catering, bar, and canteen crew who kept competitors and volunteers fed, hydrated, and happy (beer at the end of the day counts as recovery, right?).
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Everyone who helped with sponsor signage, security, fencing, and the EMX fun course that the juniors loved.
And to the AusCycling team — Iain, Greg, Kristy, Brad, and Allie — your professionalism, communication, and on-ground support were exactly what a championship needs. The WhatsApp updates, race lists, and podium help made following the event so much easier for everyone.
To the spectators and families
We are blown away by the crowds who came out for practice and seeding, and then turned up in force on race day. The event village was buzzing, the vibe was electric, and the riders definitely felt the love. Events like this are for the riders, but they’re powered by the people on the sidelines cheering, timing, photographing, and bringing the energy. Thank you for making Smithfield feel like the heart of the QLD downhill community for a weekend.
To those who travelled
To everyone who made the trip north — thank you for choosing Cairns and Smithfield for your state championships. We hope you got to enjoy everything our trails have to offer, from the big hits to the flowy bits in between. Come back next year for a bigger and better park expansion, and bring your whole family or riding crew with you.
Hope you got to see a great snapshot of the Masterplan – https://parks.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0038/438797/smithfield-mtb-park-masterplan-snapshot.pdf
or you can follow more about the Expansion here
What’s next?
This weekend proved what this club and community can do when we pull together. If we accidentally missed thanking anyone personally, please know your contribution was just as important — events like this don’t happen because of one person, they happen because an incredible group of volunteers and supporters comes together with a shared passion for our sport.
Now… what’s next!? Stay tuned for more riding, more events, and more reasons to get up the hill and send it www.cairnsmtb.com/events