This weekend, the MTB RALLY NZ unveils its first edition in the Nelson-Tasman region, at the top of New Zealand's South Island. 120 riders will embark on an incredible 6-day backcountry enduro adventure featuring helicopter drops, boat crossings and numerous 4×4 shuttles.
New Zealand MTB Rally is a 6-day adventure in enduro format, crossing the relatively unknown Top-of-the-South region of New Zealand. As you'd expect, it offers world-class trails in unspoiled wilderness… but with a refreshing new take on the familiar “trans-enduro” format by including some seriously awesome logistics: multiple heli-drops, a boat – Day access, and 4×4 lifts.
The Rally's circular route includes an original route designed especially for the race; sandwiched between 3 national parks, mixing both historic backcountry trails and purpose-built mountain bike trails. But if you're considering a machine-built bike park, you'll be surprised. The trails in and around Nelson are almost entirely hand-built singletrack by an enthusiastic local MTB community of over 3,000 active members.
Simply put, the NZ MTB Rally is a power-assisted enduro race. With 4-6 gravity racing stages per day, linked by scenic backcountry links and 4×4, helicopter and boat shuttles. Visit a significantly different ride location each day, from three different base camp locations. It's a route that feels like a coherent journey, with a purpose, rather than just passing from one bike park to another on a coach tour.
Pinkbike's Matt Beer arrived from Canada earlier this week and will be competing for the podium against everyone else on the start list. We can't wait to see how he performs against the clock, but more importantly, to see if we can get Matt's “royal stamp of approval” regarding our trail network and organizational logistics. (Hint: Matt is definitely not far behind!).
My name is Quentin RICHARD and I come from France. No, Richard is not my first name and I hope you will forgive the spelling mistakes since English is not my first language. But I master the universal 100% tongue of pleasure about the mountain bike lifestyle. I have been working in Europe for 8 years, organizing La Mégavalanche in Alpe d'Huez and Reunion Island. You could say I know an exciting MTB event when I see one. In 2015, just before I started my job, I volunteered at Trans-Savoie (the same team behind The NZ MTB Rally), and I absolutely loved it. This kind of event; bringing together around a hundred riders from all over the world; take them to breathtaking landscapes to race blindly on the best single-tracks in the region; is for me the pure essence of enduro.
After 8 years of crazy adventures within the UCC (Megavalanche), I was looking for a new professional challenge. So when Ali offered me this opportunity to come work for his new event in New Zealand, I didn't hesitate to think twice.
I've been here in New Zealand for two months now and I love it! This country has it all: beautiful landscapes, delicious craft beers and above all: incredibly kind people! Everyone here is so welcoming and helpful that it definitely enhances the visitor experience.
Regarding the bike, I've already had the chance to ride some of the trails we're going to ride during the NZ MTB RALLY, and believe me, it's awesome! There are so many hand-built nature trails here with such a great community of mountain bikers looking after them… It's honestly incredibly good… and I don't say that so easily after riding almost all of them. best riding spots. in Europe during my professional career.
So, now that the introductions are done, let me tell you about what's coming this week!
“Only” one race…
Although it is a race, we hope that at least half of the 120 runners on the start list will be there for the adventure, the great trails, the beautiful scenery and the party atmosphere; without necessarily closely monitoring their arrival times.
And probably showing only a vague interest in the heroic fight for the podium taking place at the front of the peloton. Or at least that's what they claim happens. (What actually happens once you're between the gangs is anyone's guess and plans to “just take it easy” and “I'm not really here to run” are often forgotten).
New Zealand MTB Rally is a party-to-pedal ratio well over 2 to 1: our typical day averages 600 – 1200m of ascent and 2300 to 3000m of descent. For those who don't like carrying their bike on their shoulders, don't worry: we don't like that either. “Go for a bike ride? Hell no, brother! Why walk when you can take the Heli? (preferably joking while wearing aviator sunglasses and a tank top, the mullet shimmers in the breeze. Then casually popping the cap of a cold kiwi beer that you just took out of the overflowing cooler full of drinks that you hid in the trunk of your pickup; conveniently there all along…almost as if waiting for this very moment of manly glory).
During the week, we spend on average around 70% of stages in the backcountry and 30% in the bike park, although when the park equipment consists of hand-cut beech forests, we will forgive you if you have hard to notice the difference. We'll hire a groomer most of the time, but if you're here for a real Kiwi adventure…you've come to the right place.
Why cycle when you can helicopter?
When we asked the previous question: “Why cycle when you can helicopter?” » to Matthew Fairbrother, he simply joked “Why not?” !
The Kiwi-born U21 adventurer is ready to take on another new challenge, perhaps his most daring yet? Complete the NZ MTB RALLY – but without any support. This means not only no shuttles and no Heli-drops, but also no accommodation, no catering, and especially no boat crossing either! Because… well, why wouldn't he? While our competitors are expected to take over an hour of boat crossing on a specially chartered catamaran (while enjoying breakfast and coffee at sunrise), Matt plans to depart the evening before , after a hard day of racing – for more than 7 hours of paddling all night.
Despite all this, we wouldn't be surprised to find him on the podium by the end of the week! Watch this place…
If this event is all about experiencing the best cycling you can find in the Nelson-Tasman region and enjoying a great cycling holiday within a large group of other riders; it’s always a race. So there will be a winner, that’s for sure!
For the women, we can expect an epic fight between Morgane Jonnier (who has just won the TRANS-NZ) and Rae Morrison, local legend here in Nelson and 8th in the 2023 EDR World Cup.
In the men's category, Matt Beer's Pinkbike technical editor (and former World Cup rider) is a possible podium contender. We're also excited to see how former world tour professional road cyclist Mitch Docker handles 6 days of tough enduro racing!
A jet-lagged Matt Beer blows away the pre-race cobwebs on Nelson's Finest Cornflakes, tasting pioneering New Zealand brand Zerode and its Pinion SmartShift gearbox
We'll be posting regular updates right here on Pinkbike throughout the week, but be sure to follow too @nzmtbrally on social networks and join us on this ride.
In the meantime, check out our preview, but be prepared to be a little envious of our endless Southern Hemisphere summer vibes.
