Anton Cooper (New Zealand) and Rebecca Henderson (Australia) claimed their ninth and seventh Oceania Mountain Bike elite cross-country titles at the 2026 Oceania Mountain Bike in Brisbane, Australia, Saturday 7 March.

Under 23 victories went to Harry Doye (Australia) and Milla Phipps (New Zealand) and Connor Wright (Australia) and Kayley McMillan (New Zealand) claimed the under 19 crowns.

A record five nations were entered in the 2026 Pacific Cup Mountain Bike with Clemence Dede (Tahiti) and Teva Poulain (Tahiti) claiming the women’s and men’s titles respectively.

Elite

After missing the title last year, Cooper was determined to make sure he pulled on the jersey in 2026. The experienced New Zealander established an 11 second lead on the opening loop and never looked back. Racing away to the title and building his advantage every lap to finish in 1:25:33. Over three minutes clear of second placed Brent Rees (Australia), the reigning Mountain Bike Marathon Champion. Aiden Lefmann (Australia) rounded out the podium.

Looking to reclaim her Oceania crown, Henderson upped the pace early and built a gap on the opening lap and established a 51 second lead on Sarah Tucknott (Australia) as they started lap two. Illness for Tucknott saw her drop back with the challenge then coming from New Zealand’s Amelie Mackay and two-time winner Samara Sheppard.

While Henderson rode away in front to win by nearly three minutes, the chasing Kiwis were closely matched before MacKay broke away around the halfway point with the three-time under 23 medallist racing to silver. Sheppard added the bronze to her Gravel medal from January.

Under 23

The hotly contested under 23 men’s race did not disappoint with nothing separating Ward and Harry Doye (Australia) over the first five laps of the race. Ward who has won all four rounds of the Continental Series in 2026 was able to break clear on the final lap to win in one hour 12 minutes and five second.

Doye was forced to settle for silver for the second year in a row, 24 seconds back. Bronze went to Eddie Adams (New Zealand) a further seven seconds behind.

Phipps produced a stellar ride in the women’s race from the start to claim a maiden Oceania title. The New Zealander took the race on from the start, building a near 10 second lead on the start loop before building her advantage over the five-lap race to claim the title in 1:10:32, over a minute clear.

Silver went to Ella Menigoz (Australia) for the second year in a row after she overhauled Continental Series leader Ruby Taylor (Australia) in the closing laps, who held on for third.

Under 19

Wright successfully defended his under 19 men’s title and looked in control from the start. The 18-year-old opened up a two second advantage on the opening loop, before quickly asserting himself on the first lap. With a 49 second lead after the opening lap, he settled into his rhythm before extending the advantage to just under two minutes a lap later. A late charge by James Climo (New Zealand) reduced the advantage but was unable to overcome the sizeable lead as Wright won by a minute.

Climo’s silver medal improved on bronze a year ago with Oliver Grande (Australia) collecting bronze, a minute and 13 seconds further back.

It was also back-to-back titles for McMillian in the under 19 women’s. The New Zealander made her move on the first full lap, building a 49 second advantage and never looked back as she continued to build her lead. Eventually stopping the clock in one hour 12 minutes and 20 seconds to win by over two minutes.

The final two spots on the podium with separated by just two seconds with silver going to Freya Buckmaster (Australia) and bronze Alana Fletcher (Australia).

Results
Elite Men
Gold: Anton Cooper (New Zealand) 1:25:33
Silver: Brent Rees (Australia) 1:28:42
Bronze: Aiden Lefmann (Australia) 1:30:25

Elite Women
Gold: Rebecca Henderson (Australia) 1:26:06
Silver: Amelie Mackay (New Zealand) 1:28:53
Bronze: Samara Sheppard (New Zealand) 1:29:20

Under 23 Men
Gold: Jack Ward (Australia) 1:12:05
Silver: Harry Doye (Australia) 1:12:29
Bronze: Eddie Adams (New Zealand) 1:12:36

Under 23 Women
Gold: Milla Phipps (New Zealand) 1:10:32
Silver: Ella Menigoz (Australia) 1:11:40
Bronze: Ruby Taylor (Australia) 1:13:31

Junior Men
Gold: Connor Wright (Australia) 1:15:27
Silver: James Climo (New Zealand) 1:16:27
Bronze: Oliver Grande (Australia) 1:17:40

Junior Women
Gold: Kayley McMillan (New Zealand) 1:12:20
Silver: Freya Buckmaster (Australia) 1:14:26
Bronze: Alana Fletcher (Australia) 1:14:28