The burgeoning development of enduro racing will receive official recognition with the announcement of the first Enduro MTB National Championships in Nelson in March 2023.

The Cable Bay Enduro will partner with Nelson Mountain Bike Club and Cycling New Zealand to stage the first Enduro MTB National Championships on 3-5 March 2023.

Enduro Mountain Bike is the sport’s equivalent of rallying, with riders, as individuals or teams, competing over a series of timed stages on a range of challenging terrain. Competitors ride from stage to stage over untimed liaisons which can also provide demanding climbs and downhill sections.

It is a fast-growing feature in mountain bike both for serious competitors who compete in the likes of Crankworx and Enduro World Series. This series concluded recently with the finale Trophy of Nations in Italy with the elite men’s category won by a team from New Zealand.

“We, at Cable Bay Enduro are stoked to organise the first ever Enduro Mountain Bike National Championships. This is a huge step for MTB enduro racing in NZ. With NZ athletes doing so well on the international scene, it is only fitting that there is a national competition to match the calibre of riders in this country,” said race organisers Jess and Loui Harvey.

The event is also exciting for the local Nelson Mountain Bike Club.

“Nelson Mountain Bike Club are really pleased to bring the first New Zealand Enduro National Championships to Nelson. This would not be possible without a first-class event, and we are extremely lucky to be working alongside Loui and Jess Harvey and their epic Cable bay enduro event.

“We would also like to say a huge thanks to MTBNZ and Cycling New Zealand for their support during the process,” said Nelson Mountain Bike Club’s Jono Corfield.

The championship will be staged for males and females in under-21 and Elite for official honours with winners earning the official national championship sleeve to wear for the ensuing 12 months.

The Cable Bay Enduro will also include categories for under-15, under-17, under 19 and Open as well as Masters 1, Masters 2 and Masters 3.

Exact details of the event have yet to be finalised but there will be a minimum of three stages, although organisers plan for five to six timed stages with liaisons comprising around 1500m of climbing over 30kms. Racing time will be approximately 20-25 minutes of the 4-5 hour event.

Full details: www.enduronationals.nz