Do you want to go to the World Championships? Learn more about the new UCI Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series that can earn you UCI points and qualify for a World Cup race!
Mt Stromlo has long been the premier home of mountain biking in Australia, both cross country and downhill. It has hosted World Cups and World Championships, as well as National events and the Junior World Series.
On March 1 and 2, 2025, Canberra Offroad Cycling Club (CORC) will host the return of the world class race at Mt Stromlo with the launch of the first two UCI Continental Series races on Australian soil. You can hear more about the series and the race at Mt Stomlo in our latest interview with Bec Henderson. Not sure if this is for you? Read on.
Are you ready to go? Come in here.
What is the UCI Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series?
The Continental Series is a way for athletes who want to play in the World Cup to earn the much needed UCI points. It is also part of Auscycling's selection process for federation entry into World Cups and World Championships. The March 1 round also doubles as the Continental Junior Series round.
The continental series includes cross-country and downhill disciplines, as well as the opportunity to meet the best riders in Oceania.
The series offers those riders who want to compete World Cup opportunities, with the top five riders in the overall standings of the Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series earning the right to participate in all rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup the following season.
Although this seems complicated, this means that Saturday's Continental series race sees younger riders (U19) earn UCI points on the continental series scale. Sunday is the continental series, also featuring the septa UCI junior series which means that the juniors on the podium receive both awards and UCI points based on the Junior Series scale (different from the Continental Series scale).
But what about the weekend warriors, I'm not hunting for UCI points?
For those who love to run but aren't planning on heading overseas to race Nino Schurter anytime soon, the Mt Stromlo Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series races on the 1st and 2nd of March double as rounds 6 and 7 of the AusCycling national series . , and round 3 of the descending series. The national series includes categories from U15 to 60+ who can earn points in the series. The national series also features a short course cross country (XCC) on Friday 28 February.
For groms, CORC also holds support races from the U7 to U13 age groups for kids to get out of the races, but they are not recognized as part of the national series. There are also variable sections for both cross country and downhill.
The 'National Series' and 'Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series' sound really hard and fast to me? Is that so?
For riders racing in Australia, cross country or downhill, this represents the highest level of home racing.
However, age group divisions mean you can enter if you are fit and skilled among your peers at local and state level. There are no requirements to enter the race. So, If you are a strong local rider who wants to test his creativity, go for it!
Stromlo's downhill course is generally dry, dusty and rocky, weaving from the tree line down to the open and more exposed part of the jump.
Saturday's cross country will use a World Cup course that includes a Cardiac climb and a Hammerhead descent, which is quite a challenge even for Bec Henderson, so training for this course is essential. It's not uncommon for riders to backtrack or run a Cardiac uphill section (which is more acceptable in cross-country races). Sunday's event will feature an accessible course that tests tired legs and ensures fast and close running.
I'm fast and fit and I dream of winning world cups, how does the Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series help with this?
Participation in the series is important for the selection of the World Championships and to get the Federation Entry to the World Cup in 2025.
As an added carrot, the rider who finishes in the top five of the Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series event will receive a golden ticket and qualify for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup round in 2025.
Looking ahead, the top five riders in the overall standings of the Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series will have the right to participate in all the rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup next season.
OK, you've sold me on going in, how do I do that?
Well, you can get your entry for each cycle individually, or get a discount entry for all three. Entries are available here.
Arrival at Mt Stromlo
Nearest airport: Canberra, Mt Stromlo is 23 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Canberra CBD.
Resources: showers, toilets, cafe, shuttle services
Practice lessons: The course is open from Friday, so you can find a specific schedule head here
Things you can do: aside from hitting Mt Stromlo, you can experience some culture at the National Gallery, or head to the Centenary Trail for an adventure. Don't forget to grab a coffee or a cold one from the Handlebar cafe afterwards.
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