The Central Bicycle Studio Winter Series is a set of four cross-country MTB races that’ll keep you riding and seeing your MTB buddies when the weather might just be a bit cool and damp.

Winter Series events have something for everyone, from little nippers on balance bikes through to seasoned campaigners. While all riders are tiemd and there’s competition for the top spots, the emphasis is on having fun and challenging yourself.

The four rounds are raced on all-weather trails at Foxton MTB Trails @ Target Reserve and Whanganui’s Araheke Trails. E-bikes are welcome at all events.

To help us allocate numbers and get the race database organised before the first race, we encourage club members (or members of other MTBNZ-affiliated clubs) to enter for the series online before the first round. As another incentive to enter online, you will get entry for the four-race series for the price of 2.5 individual rounds. You can also enter on the day – cash only!

There will be great spot prizes at each event provided by the sponsor, Central Bicycle Studio.
 
To keep the events running smoothly, we ask every rider in the series to help out with at least one race. Race set-up, marshalling, course marking, Tail End Charlie and helping to pack up at the end of the race are all tasks that we need help with, and none of them will prevent you racing on the day. You can even have a rep do the task for you. Please contact [email protected] to volunteer.

Timings

Junior, U11, U13

Time

Registration

11.00 -12.15 pm

Race Briefing

12:15 pm

Race Start

12:30 pm

 

U15 & Older

Time

Registration

11.30 -1.15 pm

Race Briefing

1:15 pm

Race Start

1:30 pm

Entry Fee                                                           

Members of Manawatū and MTBNZ-affiliated Clubs

$10 per race

$15 per family

Online entry $25 for the series or $50 per family for the series.

 

Non-Members (on-the-day entries only) (Cash Only)

$20 per race

$30 per family

(Note: Online entry is available only to members of the Manawatū, Whanganui or any MTBNZ-affiliated MTB club. Not a MMBC member? It’s simple to join with membership only $35 per year for single person members or $60 per year for families. Just visit: www.mmbc.co.nz/join)

 

Race Dates

  Date Course
Round 1 11th May 2025 Araheke MTB Trails Whanganui
Round 2 15th June 2025 Foxton MTB Trails
Round 3 13th July 2025 Araheke MTB Trails Whanganui
Round 4/Club Champs 10th August 2025 Foxton MTB Trails

Locations

Araheke MTB Trails Whanganui – To get there turn left from SH3 towards Whanganui onto Pauri Road. Follow Pauri Road into Pauri Doamin Road and follow for approximately 0.5 km.. – https://goo.gl/maps/Wcwry7CVebAgdh4W9

Foxton MTB Trails – On SH1 heading south into Foxton. Directions

Series Rules

The series will generally be run under the rules of the UCI and MTBNZ.

Specific rules that apply include;

  • All riders must wear a correctly fitting helmet.
  • Repairs and wheel changes can be made at the start/finish area as long as competitors re-enter the course where they left it.
  • Bike changes are not permitted.
  • Passing Etiquette:
    • Please use common sense and courtesy when passing and being passed. We are all sharing the same track with a wide range of speed and skills.
    • Front rider has right of way but must not impede a faster rider.
    • Passing rider should call clearly when a passing opportunity arises.

Grades

Age as of 31st December 2025.

Grade Year of Birth
Mites Beginners
Under 11 2015 and after
Under 13 2013 – 2014
Under 15 2011 – 2012
Under 17 2009 – 2010
Under 19 2007 – 2008
Senior 1996 – 2006
Vet 1 1986 – 1995
Vet 2 1976 – 1985
Vet 3 1966 – 1975
Vet 4 Before 1966
Single Speed Any Age
Recreation Any Age
E-Bike Any Age

 

Note: Riders can change grades during the series, particularly young riders going from Junior Recreation to the U13 courses, but points will not be carried from 1 grade to another

There is no open grade this year for the Central Bicycle Studio Winter Series

For XC club champs grades, please go to www.mmbc.co.nz/clubchamps

 

Start Waves

Wave 1    Go

Wave 2    2 min

Wave 3    3 min

Wave 4    4 min

Senior Men, Senior Women , Vet 1 Men, Vet 2 Men, U19 Men and Single Speed

E-bikes

U19 Women, Vet 1 Women, Vet 2 Women, Vet 3 Men, U17 Boys, U15 Boys

Vet 3 Women, Vet 4 Women, Vet 4 Men, Rec Men, U15 girls, U17 girls, Rec Women

Araheke MTB Trails – Grades and Laps

Grade Women Men
Course Race Length Course Race length
Junior Rec Mites 20 minutes Mites 20 minutes
Under 11 Junior 30 Minutes Junior 30 Minutes
Under 13 Junior 30 Minutes Junior 30 Minutes
Under 15 Short 3 Laps Long 3 laps
Under 17 Short 4 Laps Long 4 laps
Under 19 Long 4 Laps Long 6 Laps
Senior Long 5 Laps Long 6 Laps
Vet 1 (30 – 39) Long 5 Laps Long 6 Laps
Vet 2 (40 – 49) Long 5 Laps Long 6 Laps
Vet 3 (50 – 59) Long 4 Laps Long 6 Laps
Vet 4 (60+) Long 4 Laps Long 5 Laps
Rec (All ages) Short 3 Laps Short 3 Laps
E Bike Long 6 Laps
Single Speed Long 6 Laps

 

Araheke MTB Trails Grades and Laps

Grade Men
Course Race length
Junior Rec Mites 20 minutes
Under 11 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 13 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 15 Long 3 laps
Under 17 Long 4 laps
Under 19 Long 6 Laps
Senior Long 6 Laps
Vet 1 (30 – 39) Long 6 Laps
Vet 2 (40 – 49) Long 6 Laps
Vet 3 (50 – 59) Long 6 Laps
Vet 4 (60+) Long 5 Laps
Open* Long 6 Laps
Rec (All Ages) Short 3 Laps
E Bike Long 6 Laps
Single Speed Long 6 Laps

 

Grade Women
Course Race Length
Junior Rec Mites 20 minutes
Under 11 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 13 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 15 Short 3 Laps
Under 17 Short 4 Laps
Under 19 Long 4 Laps
Senior Long 5 Laps
Vet 1 (30 – 39) Long 5 Laps
Vet 2 (40 – 49) Long 5 Laps
Vet 3 (50 – 59) Long 4 Laps
Vet 4 (60+) Long 4 Laps
Open* Long 5 Laps
Rec (All Ages) Short 3 Laps
E Bike Long 6 Laps
Single Speed Long 6 Laps

 

Foxton MTB Trails Grades and Laps

Grade Men
Course Race length
Junior Rec Mites 20 minutes
Under 11 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 13 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 15 Long 2 laps
Under 17 Long 3 laps
Under 19 Long 4 Laps
Senior Long 4 Laps
Vet 1 (30 – 39) Long 4 Laps
Vet 2 (40 – 49) Long 4 Laps
Vet 3 (50 – 59) Long 4 Laps
Vet 4 (60+) Long 3Laps
Rec (All ages) Short 2 Laps
E Bike Long 4 Laps
Single Speed Long 4 Laps

 

Grade Women
Course Race Length
     
Junior Rec Mites 20 minutes
Under 11 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 13 Junior 30 Minutes
Under 15 Short 2 Laps
Under 17 Short 3 Laps
Under 19 Long 3 Laps
Senior Long 3 Laps
Vet 1 (30 – 39) Long 3 Laps
Vet 2 (40 – 49) Long 3 Laps
Vet 3 (50 – 59) Long 2 Laps
Vet 4 (60+) Long 2 Laps
Rec (All ages) Short 2 Laps
E Bike Long 4 Laps
Single Speed Long 4 Laps

 

Foxton MTB Tracks Grades and Laps

Grade Women Men
Course Race Length Course Race length
Junior Rec Mites 20 minutes Mites 20 minutes
Under 11 Junior 30 Minutes Junior 30 Minutes
Under 13 Junior 30 Minutes Junior 30 Minutes
Under 15 Short 2 Laps Long 2 laps
Under 17 Short 3 Laps Long 3 laps
Under 19 Long 3 Laps Long 4 Laps
Senior Long 3 Laps Long 4 Laps
Vet 1 (30 – 39) Long 3 Laps Long 4 Laps
Vet 2 (40 – 49) Long 3 Laps Long 4 Laps
Vet 3 (50 – 59) Long 2 Laps Long 4 Laps
Vet 4 (60+) Long 2 Laps Long 3 Laps
Rec (All Ages) Short 2 Laps Short 2 Laps
E Bike Long 4 Laps
Single Speed Long 4 Laps
Points
Place
Points
1st
20 points
2nd

 

15 points
3rd
12 points
4th

 

10 points
5th
8 points
6th

 

7 points
7th
6 points
8th
5 points
9th +
4 points
DNF
2 points
Points from all 4 rounds will count for the series.

Thank you to our sponsors, Central Bicycle Studio and McDonald’s Feilding, Bulls and Taihape.