The 2026 NZ MTB Rally went off with a bang this year with some primo weather and the usual mix of great trails and varying forms of transport.
It looks very much like the 2026 edition of the NZ MTB Rally was one for the books.
DAYS 1 & 2
The third edition of the NZ MTB Rally is officially underway in the wild and wonderful Top of the South, and if the first two days are anything to go by, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be an absolute belter.
From long-haul flights to high-speed slides — warming up for the rally, NZ style! 120 riders from around the globe rolled into Nelson Tasman for six days of uplift-assisted enduro racing, combining world-class singletrack with the kind of logistics that make this event a proper adventure: helicopters, boats, 4×4 shuttles and a healthy dose of Kiwi backcountry hospitality. Pros, privateers, influencers and everyday legends are all lining up together this week — chasing stage wins, surviving the long days in the saddle, and generally having a bloody good time riding some of the best trails New Zealand has to offer.
And after two days of racing, the leaderboard is already starting to take shape… with Ed Masters, Dylan Crane and Sam Blenkinsop as the fastest riders out there, but the gaps are really tight and there’s still a long way to go.
A fresh McCashins (ginger) Beer, new friends from all over the world, and the perspective of an amazing week ahead of you… That’s the feeling of Day 0 at the NZ MTB RALLY!
Just before the first dinner, riders gathered for the traditional race briefing. Ali & Gabi, the couple behind the adventure, laid out the plan and logistics for the week ahead: six days of racing across Nelson’s best riding zones, a few surprises along the way, and a reminder that while the stages are timed, the experience is very much about the adventure. Dinner followed — proper Rally style, with quality food on the table and cold beers from McCashins flowing. As the sun dropped over Tasman Bay, the camp settled into that familiar pre‑race buzz: stories starting to flow, and the quiet realisation that by this time tomorrow the legs would already be feeling it. Because once the NZ MTB Rally starts… it doesn’t really ease you in.
Gabi & Ali, the couple behind this amazing adventure, and also Trans Savoie & Enduro2.
What’s the plan?
The Rally’s circular itinerary comprises an original route conceived especially for the race; sandwiched between 3 National Parks, taking in a blend of both historic backcountry tracks and purpose built MTB trails. But if you’re thinking machine‑build bike park, you’ll be in for a surprise. The trails in Nelson and the surrounding area consist almost entirely of hand‑built singletrack built by an enthusiastic local MTB community comprising over 3000 active members. In simple terms, NZ MTB Rally is an uplift‑assisted enduro race.
With 4 to 6 gravity‑biased race stages per day, connected by scenic backcountry liaisons and shuttled uplifts using 4×4, helicopter and boat. Visiting a notably different ride‑spot each day, from three different basecamp locations. It’s a route that gives the impression of going on a coherent journey, with a purpose, rather than simply cruising from one bike park to the next on a coach tour.
6 days is probably not enough to discover all what Nelson has to offer, but NZ MTB RALLY is definitely the most efficient way to enjoy the best bits!
DAY 1 – The Wairora Gorge
7 stages // 29km // -2800m // +730m
While 2,800 vertical metres might sound manageable on paper, riders quickly realised these are no cruise‑control bike park laps. The trails are raw, physical and constantly demanding — tight beech‑forest singletrack littered with roots, rocks and endless direction changes. Alistair Jamieson, the Race Director (and also founder of the Trans‑Savoie & Enduro2) warned during the morning briefing: you’re pretty much on the brakes the entire way down.
Day one dropped riders straight into one of Nelson’s most iconic riding zones: the legendary Wairoa Gorge. After a 30‑minute shuttle down a narrow gravel road into the valley, riders arrived at what many describe as a mountain biker’s Disneyland: a vast trail network hidden deep in native beech forest. The area was originally purchased in the 1990s by a mysterious billionaire who built the trails purely for private riding, before later gifting the land to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation and the Nelson MTB Club. Today, the park boasts around 72 km of hand‑built trails, and for Day 1 of the Rally the entire zone was reserved exclusively for racers.
The format was simple: up to 7 stages and roughly 2,800 m of descending for the extended course, spread across a series of big uplifts on the Gorge’s steep central shuttle road.
Epic riding
Once at the top, it was pure riding bliss. The Gorge’s stages delivered physical but rewarding trails. Riders had to keep their wits about them: lines were tricky, roots were slippery, and a single mistake could cost precious seconds or, in some cases, a full stage. Despite the challenge, the vibe was classic Rally — plenty of laughs, high‑fives, and the occasional “bloody hell, that was steep!” shouted into the trees.
An impressive suspension bridge spanned the clear waters of the river, bringing racers directly out to the finish paddock area.
Those already finished their day were more than happy to line up at the finish, and watch the spectacle of their competitors tackling this trail, descending from on high across the valley. The subsequent heckling was inevitable…and encouraged by the organisers who even provided vuvuzelas and air‑horns to anyone that wanted to get rowdy about it. The atmosphere at the finish line was electric, as riders swapped stories about their best runs and near‑misses over a traditional Kiwi sausage sizzle by the iconic suspension bridge. With cold beers and ciders one ice from local award‑winning brewer, McCashins in hand, the day ended with laughter, high‑fives, and the excitement of what lay ahead.
More than 40 minutes racing time for ED MASTERS!
Kiwi Edward Masters came out swinging, taking the overall lead with a combined time of 42:09. For a single day of enduro racing, that’s a seriously big chunk of flat‑out race time — and that’s just the fastest rider, on the first day of the week. Masters grabbed stage wins on S2, S3 and S7 to set the pace. Right behind him was American Dylan Crane, finishing just 12 seconds back after winning S1 and S4 and keeping the pressure on all day. 2025 NZ MTB Rally winner Sam Blenkinsop took it easy to start the week and rounded out the podium in 3rd (+0:47), charging late with the fastest runs on S5 and S6.
DAY 2 – Silvan Forest & Richmond Hills
5 Stages // -2200m // +470m
Day two brought a total change of scenery as The Rally moved toward a totally new destination, one not used in the first edition: Silvan Forest and the open ridgelines of Richmond Hills, combining lush singletrack with expansive coastal views. Silvan Forest Mountain Bike Park, is a privately owned 180‑hectare forest with Matt the landowner a keen mountain biker (and actually racing NZ MTB Rally this year – talk about home trails advantage!). Established through a collaboration between the Griffin family and the MTB Trails Trust, the park features well‑graded single‑track climbing paths and exhilarating downhill runs suitable for various skill levels. Riders can enjoy stunning scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Today’s course tags together 3 separate trail areas by including Jenkins Hill and Kingsland Forest, with 4 big shuttles and stunning transitions across the tops of the Richmond Ranges, between stages.
The pedaling liaison in the middle was just for the sake of earning the feed station! Day 2 was a big day of shuttling, and everyone loved it!
Stunning riding
Riders quickly discovered that the terrain rewarded a completely different riding style than the Gorge. Where Day 1 demanded patience and precision, today was about momentum, confidence and letting the bike run. Silvan Forest delivered tight, sculpted berms winding through towering pine trees, while the Richmond Hills stages were all about speed — fast, loose descents across open ridgelines overlooking Tasman Bay.
Sun, dust, and breathtaking views!
Tight racing!
Sam Blenkinsop (Zerode) set the benchmark on the day, taking the Elite Men win with a combined time of 30:47 across the five stages. The former Rally champion looked comfortable on the fast terrain, claiming the quickest runs on Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4, and carrying strong momentum throughout the day. American Dylan Crane (Revel) finished second (+0:32) after another consistent performance, staying within striking distance of the leaders on each stage. Day 1 leader Edward Masters (Pivot) rounded out the podium for the day in third (+0:33). The Kiwi showed his speed again by taking the win on the final stage, limiting losses and keeping himself firmly in the lead for the overall classification. Further back, Andrew Godfrey secured fourth on the day, followed by Richard Payne in fifth. In the Female category, Emma Olofsson secured her first place in front of Gabrielle Newman and Katie Flower.
Emma Olofsson is leading the female category with 1:39:15 total time racing in two days
After a big second day on the bike, riders were more than happy to settle into the buses for the one‑hour transfer to the next Rally camp in Kaiteriteri. For many, it was the perfect opportunity to sneak in a well‑earned nap after a long day of racing. Once in Kaiteriteri, the ocean was calling. Dusty riders quickly traded riding gear for swim shorts and headed straight for a refreshing dip in the sea before gathering again for dinner — another classic NZ MTB Rally moment to wrap up the day.
DAYS 3 & 4
Three days into the NZ MTB Rally and the event has already delivered everything riders came here for: steep backcountry descents, world‑class flow trails, and the kind of adventure that makes this race unlike anything else in the mountain bike calendar. After tackling the rugged terrain of Wairoa Gorge and the flowing trails of Silvan Forest and the Richmond Hills, the 120 international riders moved deeper into the Nelson Tasman region for two of the most spectacular days of the week — a journey through the forests of Abel Tasman and an unforgettable boat crossing to Cable Bay.
If you missed the first two days, check this out. For those catching up: after the first two racing days, Ed Masters was leading the overall standings with a cumulative time of 1:13:29, just 11 seconds ahead of Dylan Crane and 14 seconds ahead of Sam Blenkinsop!
With the race this tight so early in a six‑day event, nothing is decided yet — there’s still plenty of riding left and four days of action to come!
DAY 3 From Kaiteriteri beach to Golden Bay, and back.
5 stages // 43km // ‑2160m // +640m
Day 3 of the NZ MTB Rally takes riders on an extraordinary journey through a diverse and expansive landscape, including a rare opportunity to ride through a National Park—a privilege granted exclusively for this event. Today’s course offers a contrast to the previous stages, with more flowy terrain than Day 1 and a stronger backcountry feel compared to Day 2. Riders will navigate a dynamic mix of sandy, rooty, and gravelly surfaces, all while taking in breathtaking scenery.
Riders kicked off the morning with an incredible beachside breakfast in Kaiteriteri, watching a wild sunrise light up the bay before heading out for a huge day of racing. From there, the route took the field over to Golden Bay and all the way back to the coast, linking big stages with epic scenery that makes this rally so unique.
Ride Through History, Forest & Coastline
Riders started and finished Day 3 at Kaiteriteri MTB Park, a community‑driven trail hub where local volunteers, DOC, and professional trail builders have worked together for years. The park blends purpose‑built MTB lines with existing walking tracks while respecting the coastal environment, and it showcases the incremental growth of sustainable trail design. For many riders, this was their first time riding trails connected to Abel Tasman National Park, one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes. Riding access in this protected environment is extremely rare, making this stage of the Rally a true privilege.
A key highlight of the day was the Rameka Track, a historic trail that exists within land managed by the Rameka Forest Restoration Trust. The Trust’s role is critical: access for riders exists because they’ve chosen to allow it. In New Zealand, this is far from automatic. The ongoing availability of the track reflects a relationship of trust between the landowners and the Golden Bay MTB community — built over years through respect for seasonal closures, rules, and forestry restoration. Stages 2 & 3 wind through The Rameka Project, a reforestation and carbon‑offset initiative dedicated to restoring native forests. The NZ MTB Rally is proud to partner with this project, purchasing carbon credits to fully offset the event’s direct and indirect emissions.
Andrew Godfrey, the Irish outsider leading the Open category, is tailgating the Top 3, just seconds ahead of GMBN presenter Rich Payne.
Mandini Trail
Extended‑course riders were treated to Mandini, a rare, hand‑cut trail on Kea Ridge. Access was granted by landowner Mark Nickolls, who runs Kea Lodge, as the trail sits on private land. Natural and full of character, Mandini offered a glimpse of New Zealand mountain biking hidden behind gates—accessible only through trust and respect. Riders exited via a private farm, following the marked route and staying mindful of the land and its sheep, ensuring the possibility of future access.
Beach finish
Day 3 ended at Kaiteriteri Beach, with tired riders cooling off in the ocean, swapping stories, and enjoying well deserved cold drinks and great food!
Sam Blenkinsop taking back the lead at the end of this third day
On the racing side, the pace was just as spectacular.
Sam Blenkinsop delivered a commanding performance, taking the Elite Men win with a combined time of 25:01. The Zerode rider set the tone early and never let up, clocking the fastest times on Stages 1, 2, 4 and 5 to secure the day. Edward Masters kept the pressure on all day, finishing +0:16 back after another consistent run across all five stages, signing even the best time on stage 3. Dylan Crane continued the tight battle at the front, ending the day +0:24 behind the leader after another strong ride. Further back, Richard Payne and Andrew Godfrey rounded out the top five after navigating the demanding terrain from coast to coast.
Women’s Race
In the Open Female category, Day 3 brought a new winner. Gabrielle Newman claimed her first day win of the rally, putting together a strong and consistent run across the five stages to finish in 33:52. Series leader Emma Olofsson pushed hard but had to settle for second on the day at +0:59, while Katie Flower completed the podium +2:03 back after another solid ride. From sunrise on the beach in Kaiteriteri, across to Golden Bay, and back to the ocean, Day 3 perfectly captured what the NZ MTB Rally is all about — world‑class racing set in some of the most spectacular riding landscapes in New Zealand.
With the top three men now separated by just 21 seconds overall, the rally is far from decided… stay tuned.
DAY 4 Sailing to Jurassic Park
6 stages // 34km // ‑2100m // +1100m
Day 4 kicked off in style with a one‑hour sunrise boat cruise across Tasman Bay into the stunning Cable Bay (Rotokura). Riders sipped coffee as the coastline glided past, occasionally joined by playful dolphins, all while taking in the cultural significance of the bay. Cable Bay is more than just a scenic backdrop — it has deep meaning for the local Māori, and riders were reminded to respect the natural environment, marine life, and the ongoing guardianship of the local iwi (tribe). The name Cable Bay comes from a 19th‑century undersea telegraph cable that once linked Nelson to the wider world. Later, the hills above were farmed and forested, with access tracks cut for stock, timber, and maintenance. These practical routes — built out of necessity rather than recreation — now form the backbone of several of today’s trails.
Once ashore, bikes were unloaded straight onto the beach and riders were immediately on the move. Cable Bay Adventure Park sits just north of Nelson, where steep forested hills plunge sharply toward the rocky coastline. This venue is one of the Rally’s most characterful, not just for the terrain, but for its history and ownership. From the beach to Cable Bay Adventure Park is only a 20 minute warm‑up ride on the road (and it’s less than 20min drive from Nelson city center). The park features an extensive and continually expanding network of trails, meticulously built and maintained by dedicated volunteers, gathering weekly to share their passion for great trails and riding.
Cable Bay’s feed station is now a classic of the Rally: amazing sea‑views from the eagles‑nest position, and delicious food, prepared and served with love from the proud staff at the park who gave riders another great example of warm kiwi hospitality. Beyond the riding, the atmosphere was unbeatable. Cheering spectators, stunning panoramic ocean views, and a relaxed post‑race vibe made the day feel more like an epic group ride than a competition.
After an adrenaline‑fueled day, riders capped off the event by celebrating with cold beers, food, and camaraderie at the finish. The river provided the perfect spot to cool off before shuttles departed for Nelson City, dropping riders at The Rutherford Hotel. From there, participants navigated to their accommodations for a well‑deserved night of rest before the heli‑day!
Racing tight!
Today’s Elite men top 3 are all in the same 3‑seconds window… Looks like they had a lot of fun today, racing each stage in Party‑Train mode! Just for glory and fun, they even took on Stage 4 chainless! Stage wins were traded between Sam Blenkinsop and Ed Masters, who’s taking the win today, putting him back to the overall lead! In the women’s race, Emma continued to hold the overall lead! Andrew Godfrey, Max Brau and Dennis Van Mill are the podium of the Open Category – Extended Course, while Maciej Wencel leads the Regular Course, followed by Matthew Rees and Roddy Beynon.
DAYS 5 & 6 The Finals
Ed Masters & Emma Olofsson take the overall wins. 120 happy riders take home lifetime memories
In what will be remembered as one of the tightest contests in the event’s history (yes, 3 years is history !), Masters secured the overall win by just 18 seconds after more than 2 hours and 30 minutes of cumulative stage racing throughout the week. The margin underlines the intensity of the duel, with the lead changing hands and pressure mounting across every stage.
To put this into perspective, the total racing time across the NZ MTB Rally rivals the cumulative timed efforts that elite riders face over multiple rounds of an Enduro World Cup season—yet here, it was condensed into a single unforgettable week. That such a small gap separated the top two riders after this volume of racing highlights the exceptional level of competition. Last year’s winner Sam Blenkinsop finished behind Masters, with newcomer Dylan Crane hanging onto third place ahead of GMBN’s Rich Payne, in spite of a nasty crash on Day 5.
In the women’s field, Emma Olofsson made her strong debut into Enduro racing, swapping the freeride podiums at Crankworx for the top step at NZ MTB Rally, behind Gabrielle Newman and Katie Flower. However, this race is most certainly not all about the Pros; with the vast majority of finishers clear in their assessment that indeed this is, in reality, just an epic package‑holiday, disguised as a race. Indeed, 25% of the field this year took the Rally‑Tour option which involves riding the same course as the racers – but without the pressure of wearing a timing chip.
We’ve shared such an amazing week together, riding some of the best trails in the world… I’ve travelled a lot, and the Nelson trails truly stack up worldwide. It was pretty intense to share that with all these legends… Such an epic week…
Ed Masters, winner of 2026 NZ MTB RALLY
DAY 5 HELI DROP into NZ Backountry
3 stages // -1350m // +475m
After a week packed with adventure, the NZ MTB Rally 2026 saved its most iconic experiences for the grand finale. A remote helicopter drop into the legendary Wakamarina Trail set the tone for Day 5, before riders rolled into Nelson for one last day of racing, riding and celebration.
This is the day everyone was expecting, and it was even better than expected
Heli Yeah!
Into the Wild Wakamarina
If there’s one day riders had been talking about since the start of the week, this was it.
Day 5 began with the unmistakable sound of rotor blades echoing through the valley as helicopters lifted riders high above the Marlborough backcountry. 5 by 5, small groups were dropped onto a remote ridgeline at the entrance of the Wakamarina Trail, one of New Zealand’s most iconic backcountry rides. No Extended course today, it’s only one way in, one way out, same rule for everyone!
After a short but intense flight over rugged peaks and deep canyons, buffeted by gusts of wind, every rider had already taken their daily adrenaline hit — and they hadn’t even touched the pedals yet!
Proper Kiwi Adventure
This heli‑drop stage is one of the signatures of the NZ MTB Rally — the kind of experience that instantly sets the tone for a very different day on the bike. Within seconds of landing, riders clipped in and rolled straight into a remote back‑country environment, far from roads and even further from anything resembling a bike park. This stage isn’t just a ride—it’s a journey back in time, tracing the paths carved by miners during one of New Zealand’s most dramatic gold rushes in 1864. Thousands of hopeful prospectors once surged into this steep, wild valley, building temporary towns, rough roads, and packhorse tracks, all in search of fortune. Today, those same tracks form a mountain biking paradise, seemingly frozen in time.
Unlike modern bike parks with purpose‑built berms and jumps, Wakamarina offers pure trail reading: roots, loam, and natural flow dictate every line.
Pure wilderness
The Wakamarina is not just about speed — it’s about rhythm and reading the trail. The terrain constantly changes, demanding focus while rewarding riders with kilometre after kilometre of raw, natural singletrack.
Dropping‑in to the first stage of the day and which started directly out of the helicopter. Insane scenes indeed: the stoke at the start‑line today was off the scale! Stage 1 was fast, and full of cornflakes. Raced blind (as per all NZ RALLY Stages) it was mostly a test of who’s prepared to simply open the taps and hang on for the wild white‑knuckle ride. The liaison between SP1 and SP2 was one of the hardest of the week, requiring racers to push or on occasion, carry their bike. Definitely not the best day to “enjoy” an E‑bike! But the effort was well worth the reward, given the treasures yet to be revealed on the next two stages.
That was definitely one of those days, that put a smile on your face for a long time!
Ed Masters widens the gap on Day 5.
On the leaderboard, Ed Masters set the day’s fastest time with 21:22sc total (quite short compare to other days, but pretty intense!), 10sc ahead of Sam Blenkinsop. Unfortunately, Dylan Crane had two crashes, including a fairly serious one that cost him 1 minute 20 seconds, but he still holds third place overall. In the women’s race, Emma claimed the day’s victory, far ahead of her competitors.
“My favourite thing about the NZ MTB RALLY is the diversity of people who are here racing, you got everything from top end pros to people who’ve never been racing before...” Rich Payne, GMBN, 4th overall.
DAY 6 – Home Sweet Nelson: Trails from the Front Door
5 stages // 36km // -2350m // +1400m
Final day, and we’re back in Nelson City — proving you don’t need to drive for hours to ride world‑class trails. After brekkie, the whole crew rolled straight from The Rutherford Hotel out of town and into the Maitai valley, to reach all the official trails that make Nelson one of the best spots to throw a leg over a bike. They were also joined by 30 “Wild‑card” local riders invited only for this last day to add some spice along with a few Nelsonian ‘Yeah‑Boi’s’ to round off the week.
There are few major cities in the world where you can find such a network of mountain biking trails for all levels, including very challenging ones, just a couple of pedal strokes from the city center! Nelson is one of them, if not the best!
Rolling straight out of town, riders dropped into five mint stages that showed off exactly why Nelson’s such a legendary spot to ride. From the loose and fast “Koata Fireball” to the grunty “Sneaking Ridge” and the all‑out blast of “Hotbox” to finish, it was a full send kind of day.
More than just racing, the day was a reminder of what makes riding here so special. The trails don’t just magically exist—there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, with iwi like Ngāti Koata, local crews, and legends like the Nelson MTB Club all playing their part to keep things running sweet.
Emma Oloffson living her best life on the Nelson trail — proper different from what she’s used to riding. From massive bike‑park drops to tight, sketchy singletrack, Emma showed she can absolutely send it no matter what the trail throws at her!
After regrouping and refueling, riders faced the final two epic descents of the rally. The legendary Te Ara Koa, New Zealand’s longest dedicated mountain bike trail, provided a thrilling mix of technical features, tight corners, and fast, flowy sections. The trail’s natural terrain kept riders engaged, with marked lines ensuring a safe but exhilarating ride to the valley below. To cap off the week, riders tackled Hotbox, a freshly refurbished classic, blending rooty, hand‑cut sections with newly sculpted machine‑built corners, making for an exciting final stage.
The top 3 finish in style—party train mode—putting on a show in the final Heckle Zone!
25 ‘Wild Card’ entries were granted by the organizers for the final day of the Rally, allowing game‑contest winners, local riders, and even some dedicated volunteers to experience the event as racers for this ultimate day of the week. And some of them were fast—really fast! Six of the top ten times of the day were set by Wild Card riders, including the second‑fastest of the day : Lenny! Was it the advantage of local trail knowledge or the freshness of not having raced all week? Anyway, good job showing the pro riders how it’s done in Nelson
The event wrapped up with big party, split between great dinner, award ceremony, storytelling, and celebration, marking the end of a truly extraordinary week of mountain biking.
And the winners are…
WOMEN – EXTENDED COURSE
Emma Oloffson dominated the Open Female category, taking the overall win with a total time of 3:29:38, showing incredible consistency across all six days. Gabrielle Newman secured second place at 3:33:38, while Katie Flower completed the podium in third with 3:53:37. Emma’s performance was particularly impressive, with multiple stage wins highlighting her speed and technical skill on the diverse New Zealand trails.
Extended course
- 1st place: Emma Oloffson
- 2nd place: Gabrielle Newman
- 3rd place: Katie Flower
Regular Course
- 1st place: Jackie Joyce
- 2nd place: Tiarna Crichton
- 3rd place: Andrea Borst
MEN – EXTENDED COURSE
Edward Masters locked in the win with a consistently sharp performance across all six days, finishing with a total time of 2:37:41 and taking multiple stage victories along the way. Sam Blenkinsop pushed hard all week to secure second overall, just 18 seconds back, while Dylan Crane rounded out the podium in third after a solid and steady campaign. The battle for the top five stayed tight, with Richard Payne and Andrew Godfrey completing the standings after a demanding week of racing.
And a huge shoutout to the “Open Extended Course” (excluding Elite category) Winners, Andrew Godfrey, Max Brau & Tommy Pastalka.
REGULAR COURSE WINNERS :
- 1st Maciej Wence
- 2nd Matthew Rees
- 3rd Michal Pietrzyk
- 1st: Jackie Joyce
- 2nd: Tiarna Crichton
- 3rd: Andrea Borst
See you next year?
The NZ MTB Rally is more than just a race—it’s an adventure, a journey, and a celebration of mountain biking. Over the past six days, riders from around the world have pushed their limits, forged new friendships, and experienced some of the best trails New Zealand has to offer. The final evening was a time to reflect, with a closing ceremony filled with laughter, stories, and well‑earned cheers for everyone who took part.
With 3rd edition now in the books, one thing is certain—the NZ MTB Rally continues to set the standard for multi‑day mountain biking events. Until next time, keep riding, keep exploring, and keep the adventure alive, and we’ll see you on the trails again soon.
BREAKING NEWS – NZ MTB Rally organisers will be offering tour packages in 2027 following the same itinerary as the Race, but in a relaxed, non‑raced, fully‑supported format. Options to join the adventure will be available for both individuals and groups, with limited dates in February and April 2027. Check out the website for more info or to sign up for the newsletter below.
