National MTB Hori GREY v2

National School MTB Championships

Mountain Bike
29 September 2025 - 2 October 2025
Nelson

Nelson MTB Club: schools@nelsonmtb.club

The 2025 National School MTB Championships will be held in Nelson from 29 September - 2 October, hosted by the Nelson MTB Club!

The schedule for 2025 includes:

Monday 29th September - Junior DH (U13, U14, U15)

Tuesday 30th September - Senior DH (U16, U17, U20)

Wednesday 1st October - XCO & Relay

Thursday 2nd October - Enduro 

Click here for the provisional Event Manual - TBC

 

Schedule of Races

*Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th will be unofficial practice daysThe course will remain open at all times (unless maintenance is required) prior to the event.*

 

 

Start Lists

TBC

*Please note this is all subject to change.

 

Entry Lists

TBC

 

Volunteer Programme

Schools are asked to provide one volunteer for every four riders, please register your volunteers in Enter Now before entries close.

All volunteers should be over the age of 18, be confident in their role and wear fully enclosed footwear. All equipment required for the role will be given out on the day, such as high-vis vests. Click here to read the Commitment of Volunteering agreement. Please contact schools@cnz.kiwi if you have any questions.

 

Categories

Age as at 31 December 2025.

Individual Races:

U20, U17, U16, U15, U14, U13 boys and girls 

At a minimum competitors must be enrolled in Year 7.

 

Team Races:

Senior (U20) Boys and Girls
Junior (U16 - Year 7 & 8 can ride in a Junior team) Boys and Girls

Mixed teams must ride in the boys category

 

Top School Trophies

The Top School Trophy will be awarded to the respective Year 9 - 13 schools teams that have the highest aggregate points score across all championship events. Points will be awarded for the first 5 places with 5 points for 1st and 4 points for 2nd, 3 points for 3rd etc in each of the races (including Team Relay if applicable).

The Top Junior School Trophy will be awarded to the respective Year 7/8 schools teams that have the highest aggregate points score across all championship events. Points will be awarded for the first 5 places with 5 points for 1st and 4 points for 2nd, 3 points for 3rd etc in each of the races (including Team Relay if applicable).

Entries will open Thursday 1 May 2025. 

Schools must be affiliated for 2025 and follow the 6 Step by Step Guide here before they will be able to enter this event.

Click here to view the live entry list. 

 

Entry Limits

Cross Country = 500 riders

DH limit (U13, U14, U15) = 250 per day

DH limit (U16, U17, U20) = 250 per day

Enduro = 500

Entry is not guaranteed until entries have closed. This is to provide fair and equitable weighting across all schools 

In determining which riders/schools will be accepted into the event (where entries exceed the maximum limit), CNZS may take into account any of the following criteria: 

  • The total number of riders entered into the limited event by age or gender category
  • The total number of riders entered into the limited event by a single school
  • Entries received by the advertised due date & Payments made by the advertised due date 
  • Prior history of the school in participation at the particular event 
  • Prior history of the school in support of the particular event (providing volunteers etc.) 
  • Past performance of riders at the particular event and at other CNZS or CNZ events 
  • Eligibility for medals 

 See school rules here - Appendix 5 - Capacity Event Entry Process

 

Entry Fees

Cross Country = $50
Cross Country Relay = $70 per team
Downhill = $85
Enduro = $65

Thursday 1 May   Pre-registration for Downhill & Enduro opens and Cross Country and Relay opens
Friday 15 August Pre-registration for Downhill & Enduro closes and Cross Country and relay closes
Friday 22 August Downhill & Enduro spaces allocated to schools as per the Capacity Event Entry Process
Friday 5 September Schools must confirm Downhill & Enduro riders names by this date as well as the riders on their waitlist if applicable
Friday 5 September Entries for DH/END Capacity Finalised and Allocation Period Closed / OR for non-MTB, all entries close
Friday 5 September All invoices available to be downloaded in Enter Now by schools
Friday 19 September All invoices must be paid by this date

 

Composite Teams - Cross Country Relay
If you are entering a Composite team please advise us by adding COMPOSITE into the team name in Enter Now and by emailing schools@cnz.kiwi to confirm. See CNZ Schools Rules for more information. Composite teams are eligible to compete and will be recognised on the podium if they place in the top 3, however as per the current Schools Cycling Rules, they are ineligible to receive a medal.

 

Refund Policy

Refunds requested after the entry closing date will only be processed on the presentation of a medical certificate. All refunds will incur a $25 administration fee.

No refunds are available unless requested in writing prior to Race Pack Pick Up.

 

Terms and Conditions 

Click here to view the event terms and conditions. 

This event will follow Cycling New Zealand Schools Rules, and the MTBNZ Technical Regulations.

DH Protective Clothing Requirement Update - Long Sleeve Shirts Now Mandatory

On 1 January 2023 an update to UCI Regulation 4.3.011 came into effect that changed the protective clothing requirements for downhill events. The updated regulation now mandates the wearing of long sleeved shirts and introduces requirements for leg covering/protection.

The impact of the change to the CNZ/MTBNZ MTB Regulations is that long sleeved shirts are now mandatory for all riders (previously senior riders could wear short sleeve shirts with elbow protection). The leg protection rules are essentially the same as the existing NZ requirements. 

The updated CNZ/MTBNZ Protective Clothing Requirements are available here.

The new requirements will apply at all MTBNZ, CNZ (MTB Nationals) and UCI calendar events in New Zealand, starting with round 1 of the MTBNZ DH series in Cardrona on 15 January.

 

Health and Safety
Everyone has a responsibly towards Health and Safety at an event.

The safety of the riders, officials, volunteer and spectators are included in the event planning. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Health and Safety please report to the Chief Commissaire or to the Event Manager. 

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