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MTB events New Zealand: 10 events you won't want to miss
Whether you’re riding or watching, you'll want to get these MTB events in the diary stat.
This season is shaping up to be a big one for New Zealand mountain biking events. The borders are open, event restrictions gone and we’re amping for a summer on two wheels. If you’re riding or watching, get these MTB events in the diary.
- Whaka100
- Red Bull Foxhunt
- Crankworx Rotorua
- Ride the Wilderness
- DODZY Memorial Enduro
- Crankworx Summer series
- The Tombstone Mountain Bike Race
- Queenstown Bike Festival
- Macpac Motatapu Mountain Bike
- The Prospector
Kiwi downhill rider Brook Macdonald says for those racing, focus on good vibes and the success will come naturally. “Enjoy every moment! At the end of the day, if you’re having fun racing everything will follow — results, friends, memories. It’s all part of it,” he says.
Here are the 10 best MTB events and races in New Zealand for riders and thrivers.
Whaka 100
© Red Bull
Whaka100
Where: Rotorua
When: 25-27 October 2024
Are you ready for the toughest mountain bike race New Zealand has to offer? The Whaka Miler is definitely not one for the faint of heart – or of fitness. The 160km course features an eye watering 4,500 meters of climbing on some of NZ’s best single track in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest. With a window of 14.5 hours to complete, only the toughest of riders will make it to the finish line and claim Whaka glory. If 160km isn’t your bag, check out the 100km, 50km, 25km, 10km Fun Ride and Kids 5km over the weekend.
Red Bull Foxhunt
For the first time in history, the chaos and carnage of Red Bull Foxhunt came to New Zealand. The challenge was simple:
Amateur riders played the role of the ‘hounds’
A pro rider took the role of the ‘fox’
Hounds raced to the finish chute before being caught by the fox
Hounds has a head start before the foxes were let out of their cage, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it was easy. The event saw 100 hounds heading down the mountain together with none other than downhill heavy-weight Brook Macdonald, Jess Blewitt and Remy Morton in pursuit.
Trying to get as far to the front as possible before the finish line was HECTIC to say the least
Crankworx Rotorua
© Bartek Woliński/Red Bull Content Pool
Crankworx Rotorua
Where: Rotorua
When: 16-24 March, 2024
Crankworx Rotorua is the pinnacle of New Zealand MTB events, bringing together the world’s best mountain bikers for a festival week of downhill, dual slalom, pump track, speed and style, and slopestyle riding.
Macdonald says it’s his top pick of MTB events in New Zealand. “Crankworx is the best event in New Zealand for sure! It’s our largest international event which is awesome because we don’t often get to experience such a big event in front of a home crowd.”
But it’s not just for the pros. Amateurs can get amongst the action in the downhill, dual slalom and pump track in their own category. The event is a fan-favourite and spectators can expect food, music, and expo sales, alongside a huge dose of stoke and inspiration to get out on two wheels.
Ride the Wilderness
Where: West Coast New Zealand
When: 18 November 2023
The perfect taster for riders just getting into racing, or for those wanting to explore New Zealand’s wild West Coast Wilderness Trail. The grade 2 track has a bit of everything. From lakes to rivers, creeks, boardwalks, single tracks, historic bridges, forestry, wetlands, reservoirs, and water races. Choose from four distances:
The Epic - Ross to Greymouth 126km
The Challenge - Hokitika to Greymouth 95km
The Classic - Cowboy Paradise to Greymouth 59km
The Cruise - Kumara to Greymouth 21km
DODZY Memorial Enduro
Where: Wairoa Gorge Bike Park, Nelson
When: 25-26 November 2023
The DODZY Memorial Enduro is all about good times on good trails in memory of a great man - James Dodds. Dodds laid down many hours building and training since the early days of the Wairoa Gorge opening and this year marks his 10-year anniversary. All proceeds go to charity and the event is always a quick sell-out — so get in quick once entries open!
Emil Johansson, Crankworx Rotorua 2021
© Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool
Crankworx Summer Series
Details: Coming soon!
The ultimate mountain bike roadie kicked off in 2022 with the Crankworx Summer Series. In the weeks following Crankworx Rotorua, the multi-stop festival saw South Island locals ripping it with the pros across four of the best riding locations in the South. Here’s hoping we see it return this summer!
Keep your eyes peeled for event announcements on crankworx.com
The Tombstone Mountain Bike Race
When: TBC
Where: Hanmer Forest
Back for its fourth year, the Tombstone Mountain Bike Race is an up-and-coming event that has past riders raving. Set in the alpine Hanmer Forest, the advanced course features old-school cross country loops with some diamond black trails thrown into the mix. The race covers most of the forest and the climb to the highest point (698m) features no less than 25 switchbacks - but the fast and flowy descent is worth every salty drip of sweat.
Take your pick of two distances:
Short course: One lap, 20km with 600m elevation
Long course: Two laps, 35km with 1,200m elevation
Finn Iles ripping down Queenstown Bike Park
© Miles Holden/Red Bull Content Pool
Queenstown Bike Festival
Where: Queenstown
When: 19-28 January 2024
Back and bigger for its third year, the Queenstown Bike Festival is one not to be missed! It’s got everything you can think of on two wheels. Bungy jumping with a bike? It’s got it. Airbags, megatrains, downhill and enduro racing, gravel rides, lake jumps, heli biking… we could keep going. With plenty of BBQs and after parties this is a MTB festival that has a bit of something for everyone. Queenstown is a mecca for alpine riding in New Zealand so add this to your calendar — stat.
Motatapu Mountain Bike
Where: Glendhu Bay, Lake Wānaka to Arrowtown
When: 2 March 2024
For a real taste of rugged New Zealand terrain The Motatapu is 47km of river crossings, hill climbs and steep descents, following the footsteps of early Māori as they collected Pounamu (Greenstone) through the southern high country. From Glendhu Station near Lake Wānaka to Arrowtown, the event is your only chance to pass through Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe Stations. It’s a single course for newbies, amateurs, and pros - so this is your chance to ride alongside some of the best. New to the 2023 event is the 56km Coronet Loop course - a grade 3-4 trail with plenty of technical sections, exposure and climbing.
The Prospector
Where: Alexandra
When: 8-10 March 2024
Three days, three stages, one winning team. The Prospector is the ultimate team XC MTB event in NZ. Grab a mate to make a team of two, so go solo — just be sure to get some training laps in before you tackle 4,000m elevation on Alexandra’s best grade 3 and 4 trails. There was once gold in these hills, and you too can find gold on the trails
