One of cycling’s latest developments, Pump Track Racing, gets official recognition with Cycling New Zealand partnering with Velosolutions for a championship weekend in Christchurch.

The UCI Pump Track National Championships will be staged at the new Velosolutions facility at Bexley Reserve in Christchurch on Saturday 30 September, followed by the UCI World Championships qualifier on Sunday 1 October.

Pump Track racing is a rapidly developing sport, and a technique used in both BMX and mountain bike with riders developing speed over a series of berms, turns and jumps by “pumping” the bike rather than using the pedals.

Cycling New Zealand are excited to partner with Velosolutions to host the championships at the Velosolutions Asphalt Pump Track in Christchurch.

The event is fully sanctioned by the UCI with the winners to sport the championship jersey for the following 12 months, and entry to the UCI World Championships, to be staged in Argentina in November.

“Pump is a core skill that is vital for BMX and MTB - and for any young kid learning to ride a bike, right through to world-class professionals,” said Velosolutions New Zealand Director, Craig Pattle. “Pump Tracks are a great facility for communities for fun participation for everyone right to world class competition. We are excited to partner with Cycling New Zealand and for our national champions able to wear the national champion's sleeve.”

The UCI Pump Track World Championships has been the catalyst in creating a global pump track racing series with more than 25 international events taking place around the world this year, featuring around 3000 riders.

Elite BMX under-23 riders Bennett Greenough and Megan Williams are the current Pump Track national champions.

Entries will be open shortly on https://pumptracknationals.nz/