The Oceania Cycling Confederation (OCC) has announcedthat the 2025 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships will be held at Coronet Peak in Queenstown in 2025.
Oceania's best mountain bikers will return to New Zealand for the first time in five years, for the championships on 21-23 March 2025.
Queenstown has been a regular host of Oceania Championships, including the MTB Championships in 2016 and Road Championships in 2012.
The three-days of competition will see Oceania Champions crowned in three categories. For the first time riders will compete in Cross-country Short Track (XCC), as well as Cross Country (XCO) and Downhill (DH).
Oceania Cycling Confederation President and UCI Management Committee Member Tony Mitchell said, "The UCI and Oceania Cycling Confederation are delighted to award the 2025 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships to Queenstown, New Zealand.
New Zealand has a strong history in mountain biking and have regularly hosted Oceania Mountain Bike Championships. I am excited to see the Championships return to New Zealand and for Queenstown to again host the best cyclists in our region.
"The Oceania Cycling Confederation has worked to continue to grow the Oceania Championships and the Executive are pleased to add the Cross-country Short Track category, providing further opportunities for riders to race for the coveted Oceania Champions jersey.
The OCC extends its thanks to Cycling New Zealand, Mountain Bike New Zealand and Coronet Peak MTB Park for supporting the Championships."
Mountain Bike New Zealand president, Ryan Hunt said the organisation is delighted to see the event in New Zealand.
“It has been a priority for MTBNZ to bring the Oceania MTB Championships back to New Zealand after a number of years and provide Kiwi riders with the opportunity to again race a continental championship at home,” said Hunt.
“Thanks to Nigel and his team at Coronet Peak for coming on board to make this a reality. We are looking forward welcoming everyone in March 2025.”
The Coronet Peak MTB Park has been a popular stop for the New Zealand championships in recent years, with the hosts developing an excellent facility for both cross-country and downhill riders.
“Here at Coronet Peak, we are really pleased to have this opportunity,” said Nigel Kerr, the Ski Area Manager at Coronet Peak. “Delivering a great venue for the Oceania’s is a perfect development step for us and it’s good to have home advantage for all our local riders.
“It also shows recognition that our facilities are some of the best in New Zealand.”
Friday 21 March will be dedicated to practice for cross-country and track walk for downhill, with XCO racing on Saturday along with DH practice and racing for both XCC and DH on Sunday.
Details of the other 2025 Oceania Championships will be announced in due course.
Event information in due course: https://www.mtbnz.org.nz/