Cycling New Zealand has confirmed that its showcase mountain bike event will again be backed by naming partner Torpedo7 and is to return to Coronet Peak in Queenstown.
The 2024 Torpedo7 Mountain Bike National Championships will be staged on 24-25 February at Coronet Peak following the success of the 2023 event at the same venue.
The Queenstown MTB Club will again provide support for the Coronet Peak organisation and the Cycling New Zealand events team to stage the cross-country races on Saturday 24 February and the downhill on Sunday 25 February.
Coronet Peak is a popular and developing mountain bike location, having hosted MTBNZ Downhill Series events and the Skoda South Island Schools MTB Championships earlier this year.
“Being selected to host the Cycling New Zealand MTB Nationals again is a vote of confidence in the facilities, people, and vibe up here at the Peak,” said Nigel Kerr, the Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager. “We look forward to stepping it up and hopefully adding a few more trails to play on this summer.”
Current national downhill champions, Jess Blewitt and Toby Meek are fizzing at the opportunity to defend their respective elite titles on their home trails in Queenstown.
“It was great winning my third national downhill title in Queenstown this year. It will be awesome to race at home again with the support of friends and family at Coronet and be able to wear the sleeve on the world series again next year,” said Blewitt.
“I’m stoked to hear that the nationals will be back at Coronet again. It’s probably the fastest track in New Zealand, plus it is always nice to go back to where you’ve had success. Most of New Zealand’s top riders are now based in Queenstown as well, so it makes a lot of sense to hold it there,” said Meek.
It marks the fourth straight year that Torpedo7 have backed Cycling New Zealand as naming sponsor for the MTB Nationals.
“We are thrilled that Torpedo7 is going to be the big sponsor of the Mountain Bike Nationals 2024, thanks to Cycling New Zealand,” said Garth Sutherland, Tribe Lead Sports and Adventure, The Warehouse Group.
“We are delighted to be involved once again. We are all about supporting the NZ cycling community and promoting the thrill of riding, so being part of the most prestigious mountain bike competition in New Zealand is a perfect fit.
“We are incredibly lucky to have some of the most incredible mountain biking trails right at our fingertips, set in our epic outdoors. It's truly inspiring to witness the sport's ever-increasing popularity year after year. Together with Cycling New Zealand, we look forward to a legendary event that showcases the best of New Zealand Mountain Biking.“
Cycling New Zealand is delighted to have the continued support from Torpedo7 and Coronet Peak.
“Having the support of a well-known organisation as Torpedo7, an incredible venue at Coronet Peak and the great support from Nigel and his team is exciting,” said Cycling New Zealand CEO, Simon Peterson.
“We want to provide event opportunities that encourage as many people to give MTB a go. It is a great sport that people can participate in throughout life.
“Torpedo7 is already synonymous with cycling and to have them as the naming sponsor across the MTB National Championships will assist Cycling New Zealand and Mountain Bike New Zealand to continue the great work already in place to support and grow mountain biking popularity.”
Entries will open in December at http://mtbnationals.nz/