Cycling New Zealand Schools are excited to announce the National Schools MTB Championships venue and dates for 2021!
The event will return to the South Island (it is in Wellington this year) and will be hosted by Marlborough Mountain Bike Club in some of the country’s best MTB parks; the Wither Hills Farm Park and Jentree MTB park.
The event will offer Cross Country (XC), Cross Country Relay (XCR), Downhill (DH) and Enduro (END) options over a four day festival and celebration of schools mountain biking.
Wither Hills Farm Park will be the venue for the XC and XCR with the privately owned Jentree MTB Park hosting the DH and END.
Jentree – owned and developed by ex-professional rider Justin Leov and his wife Victoria are excited about the opportunity to not only welcome school riders to their park to showcase the riding at the park, but this opportunity supports their vision to reinstate Jentree as a world-class riding destination once again – a place for riders to have fun, develop their skills and connect with a supportive community of like-minded people.
Supporting other events in the region and to ensure there is appropriate time to celebrate all the MTB disciplines on offer, the event will be held over 4 days mid-week in the School Holidays from Monday 11th – Thursday 14th October.
Cycling New Zealand Schools Chairman, Brynn Gilbertson is delighted to be once again working with such a passionate club. “The application from Marlborough MTB Club was professional and progressive and they are already looking at ways to evolve the event from the great work of our previous hosts. Marlborough’s facilities, location and climate are ideal for hosting and delivering events of this nature and together with the experience and passion of the Marlborough MTB Club we have every confidence that this event will continue to grow on the success of previous national events”.
Marlborough Mountain Bike Club President, Fraser Brown was also excited on the confirmation the event will be returning to the South Island and the opportunity to showcase their region, tracks and club capability.
“We are an active and highly capable club with a wide range of experienced members and supporters to ensure this event continues to deliver appropriate, safe and fun racing for our schools riders. We look forward to being able to offer a participation opportunity for all levels of riders from the XC team relay through to those aiming for national medals”.
Further details will be released in the coming months following the delivery of the 2020 Schools MTB Championships in Wellington.