
Mountain Bike National Champs
11 - 15 March 2026 (exact dates TBC) - Downhill
20 - 22 March 2026 - Cross Country & Short Track
Rotorua
The MTB National Championships are heading back to Rotorua for 2026, the Downhill Nationals will be staged as part of Crankworx Rotorua during 11 - 15 March, and the Cross Country and Short Track Nationals will be held on 20 - 22 March.
This is the pinnacle event for New Zealand's mountain bikers. An action packed and thrilling weekend of Cross Country, Short Cross Country Course and Downhill in one of New Zealand’s spiritual home of Mountain Biking.
CNZ will be supported by MTBNZ, Rotorua MTB Club and Crankworx who will work together with CNZ to present the Cross Country National Championship, Short Track National Championships and Downhill National Championships.
Event Information
FINAL EVENT INFO
Click here to read the important final event information that has been emailed to the competitors - TBC
LIVESTREAM
TBC
TECHNICAL GUIDE
Click here for the provisional Tech Guide - TBC
This includes all event information, including the event schedule, course information, lap information etc.
Please note that this is subject to change.
START LISTS
Please click link below for updated Start Lists. Find the latest Entry Lists under the Entry Information tab!
XCO Start Lists
TBC
DH Start List
TBC
*Note the start times are likely to change
XCO Provisional Lap Numbers (subject to change on race day)
TBC
SPORT INTEGRITY COMMISSION
For more information about the Sport Integrity Commission (formerly called Drug Free Sport New Zealand) please click here.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
All media must be accredited prior to the event.
Accreditation is issued only to media for event specific coverage only. Completing the accreditation is not a guarantee your credentials will be accepted.
Please contact [email protected] to express your interest, prior to the event.
SPORT INTEGRITY COMMISSION
The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui is dedicated to creating a safe, fair, and inclusive sport and recreation environment in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Let’s create a level playing field for everyone so we can all share positive experiences in our sport communities.
Learn more: sportintegrity.nz
Entry Information
Entries will open in 2025.
ENTRY LIST
Please click the links below to check your entry looks correct - TBC
Please email [email protected] if you need to make any changes.
ENTRY FEES
Event/Category Early Bird Fee Standard Fee
XCO - CNZ Licence Holder
XCO - Non Licence Holder (includes one day licence)
Elite XCC (with U23s included) - CNZ Licence Holder
DH - CNZ Licence Holder
DH - Non Licence Holder (includes one day licence)
ENTRY WITHDRAWS AND REFUNDS
Entries are not transferable.
Refunds may be available if a withdrawal is requested in writing prior to entries closing on Sunday 8 February at midnight. If accepted a refund of the entry fee less a $25 admin fee will be applied.
Withdrawals submitted after entries have closed are not eligible for a refund.
Email: [email protected]
OVER-AGE FOR ELITE
If you wish to race in the Elite Grade but your age is over the age limit, please email [email protected] to apply to receive the age override code. Please ensure to request this code early to avoid missing entering on time, as a late fee will apply if you are unable to enter on time.
LATE ENTRIES
If capacity allows, late entries will be accepted for Non-UCI Categories only (U15, U17, Sport and Masters) once entries have closed with a late fee penalty of $50 per event. Riders who enter late will not be given any seeding preferences. Click here (TBC) to complete a late entry and please bring cash or be prepared to do a bank transfer at the event to pay (no eftpos is available). Late entries WILL NOT be accepted on Saturday or Sunday.
ENTRY TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Click here to view a copy of the event Terms and Conditions.
ENTRY ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA
UCI Categories - Open to NZL riders only
All riders must be a paid and current member of a MTBNZ/CNZ Affiliated MTB Club*
Late entries will not be accepted for UCI Categories.
International riders may enter DH only as a Ghost rider, only if capacity allows.
LICENCING
All riders in UCI categories must hold a 2026 Cycling New Zealand annual Licence.
All riders in the Non-UCI categories must hold a 2026 Cycling New Zealand annual licence OR Paid the additional fees and receive a 'One Day' Cycling New Zealand Licence.
This event is the New Zealand Championships and entry is only open to NZL riders (as per your nationality with UCI).
All riders purchasing a one-day event license must agree to the One-day licence Terms & Conditions here.
Click here to purchase a CNZ licence- 2026 licences coming soon!
Event Communiques
Event Communiques is the official distribution of event information. Please check here regularly for updated Communiques.
Event Categories
CROSS COUNTRY
UCI Categories
Elite - Riders aged between 23 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026)
U23 - Riders aged between 19 - 22 (as at 31 December 2026)
The Elite/U23 race will be run as a COMBINED RACE (Only 3 medals awarded). In the case of a U23 winning the Combined Race only one (Elite) National Jersey will be awarded to that rider. In the case of an Elite winning the Combined Race, the winner will be awarded with an Elite National Jersey and the first placed U23 rider will be awarded with a U23 National Jersey.
U19 (Junior) - Riders aged between 17 - 18 (as at 31 December 2026)
The U19 winner will be awarded the Junior National Jersey.
This category is only available for NZL riders.
NON - UCI Categories
U15 - For Riders aged between 13 - 14 (as at 31 December 2026)
U17 - For Riders aged between 15 - 16 (as at 31 December 2026)
Sport - For Riders aged between 17 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 1 - For Riders aged between 30 - 39 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 2 - For Riders aged between 40 - 49 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 3 - For Riders aged between 50 - 59 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 4 - For Riders aged between 60 - 69 (as at December 2026)
Masters 5 - For Riders ages between 70+ (as at December 2026)
These categories are open to riders of all Nationalities.
SHORT COURSE CROSS COUNTRY
UCI Categories only
Elite (with U23’s included) - For Riders aged between 19 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026)
DOWNHILL
UCI Categories
Elite - For Riders aged between 19 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026)
U19 (Junior) - For riders aged 17 - 18 (as at 31 December 2026)
The Elite/U19 races will be run as a Combined Race but with each grade in their respective blocks and they will have separate medals presentations. In the case of a U19 winning the Combined Race only one (Elite) National Jersey will be awarded to that rider. In the case of an Elite winning the Combined Race, the winner will be awarded an Elite National Jersey and the first placed U19 rider will be awarded with a U19 National Jersey.
This category is only available for NZL riders.
Ghost riders will only be accepted if there is capacity when entries close. If you are a Ghost rider (an international rider who wishes to race in the UCI category - then please contact [email protected] to be added to a waitlist)
NON - UCI Categories
U15 - For Riders aged between 13 - 14 (as at 31 December 2026)
U17 - For Riders aged between 15 - 16 (as at 31 December 2026)
Sport - For Riders aged between 17 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 1 - For Riders aged between 30 - 39 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 2 - For Riders aged between 40 - 49 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 3 - For Riders aged between 50 - 59 (as at 31 December 2026)
Masters 4 - For Riders aged between 60 - 69 (as at December 2026)
Masters 5 - For Riders ages between 70+ (as at December 2026)
These categories are open to riders of all Nationalities.
Event Rules
Racing will be conducted under the Mountain Bike New Zealand Technical Regulations (including the Protection Policy - see section 6) and UCI Regulations.
Results
2025 Results:
Short Course Cross Country Results
2024 Results:
Short Course Cross Country Results
2023 Results:
Short Course Cross Country Results
2022 Results:
2021 Results:
2020 NZ Results:
Elite - Junior Cross Country Results
Master - Sport Cross Country Results
2020 Oceania Results:
Oceania U19, U23 & Elite Cross Country Results
Oceania U15 & U17 Cross Country Results
Oceania Sport - Master Cross Country Results
2019 Results:
2018 Results:
2017 Results:
2016 Results:
Cross Country
U15 Boys Cross Country Results
U17 Girls Cross Country Results
U17 Boys Cross Country Results
U19 Women Cross Country Results
Elite & U23 Women Cross Country Results
Elite & U23 Men Cross Country Results
Masters Women Cross Country Results
Event Merchandise
You can check out the awesome range of our 2026 MTB National Champs event merch here - TBC
Check out the 24/7 online shop!
We have hoodies, short sleeves, long sleeves and bags available to purchase.