Mountain Bike National Champs

11 - 15 March 2026 - 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

Downhill- through Crankworx webpage

Click here to register for the downhill event

XCC and XCO- through Cycling New Zealand on Event Plus registration

Entries opening soon!

Early bird entry fees will run until midnight 31 December 2025.

Entries will close midnight Sunday 8 March.

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 March 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

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.