LITHGOW star downhill mountain biker Joel Willis has proven he is one of the world’s best after a jetting around the world pitting himself against some of the world’s best riders.
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He has dominated his age divisions since starting his career and has shown he can match it with riders with more experience.
Joel was selected to represent Australia at two rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup on the Australian Junior Downhill Mountain bike team.
With five other riders aged between 17 and 18 years selected from all over Australia along with two coaches Nathan Rennie, Jared Rando who have enjoyed highly successful careers that included winning a world championship they met at Sydney International Airport ready to board the flight to Albany, New York.
The flight went via San Francisco and Chicago with the team finally reaching Albany.
They then spent the night in Albany and in the morning embarked on an eight hour drive to Mont Saint Anne, Quebec.
The trip involved crossing the border into the French side of Canada.
Once the team arrived they spent a few days acclimatising themselves to the time difference by catching up on sleep and becoming familiar with the surrounds.
Joel and the team spent the next two days practising and getting in readiness for the race.
After crashing during the race, Joel finished a creditable 35th, a finish Joel was happy with considering the circumstances.
After the Quebec race, the team members were off to Windham, New York where they practised on the track that they would later compete on.
Joel finished in 42nd position.
After this event the team headed home to Australia while Joel continued his trip to the West Coast of Canada to compete in multiple races at Crankworx Bike Festival in Whistler.
He showed his expertise by finishing 10th in the Air Downhill and followed up with a quality 15th placing in the Canadian Open that featured a crash in his race run.
“Overall I had fantastic trip and have learnt a lot about what is required to race at a World Cup level,” Joel said.
“I am now looking forward to making the Australian team again next year.
“Thanks to everyone for all of the support and making it possible for me to go on this trip.”
Joel is the son of Darren and Kylie Willis of Lithgow.