Reigning Oceania Mountain Bike Cross-country Champions Samara Maxwell and Anton Cooper claimed the inaugural round of the new Oceania MTB Continental Series in Dunedin New Zealand, Saturday 11 January 2025.

The opening round of the MTB New Zealand National Series was the first event of the recently announced Oceania MTB Continental Series. The Continental Series was developed in close collaboration between the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Continental Confederations.

The Continental Series will provide riders from Oceania with a new opportunity to qualify for the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Cups, part of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

In the elite men’s field, it was eight-time reigning Oceania Champion Cooper who tasted success and continue his run of dominance in Oceania Mountain Bike events.

“It was super-fast and muddy. To battle with Ben Oliver for seven laps was what I expected to happen,” said Cooper.

“To be honest it could have gone either way. Ben was possibly slightly stronger than me today. It was one of those courses – on the second half of the course there was not much you could do but recover so I made the pace up the climb quite fast.

“Riding a hard-tail was quite a challenge with a high post in the conditions – really strong in some sections but tough in others. Overall I am happy to start the year with a win and I have a lot of form to build on.”

Paris Olympian Sammie Maxwell took the win in the elite women’s category ahead of World Championship medallist Rebecca Henderson.

After an early mistake Maxwell recovered and regained the lead in the second half of the race by four minutes over Henderson.

“You are never sure of your form starting off,” said Maxwell.

“I made a mistake on the third lap and got gaped by Rebecca Henderson. I closed it and kept going – so the cards were played pretty early on which was exciting for me. It is always incredible racing with Bec – she pushes me and I push her and it brings the best out of each other.”

Results
Elite Men
1: Anton Cooper (New Zealand)
2: Ben Oliver (New Zealand)
3: Sam Fox (Australia)

Elite Women
1: Samara Maxwell (New Zealand)
2: Rebecca Henderson (Australia)
3: Mary Gray (New Zealand)

Under 23 Men
1: Coen Nicol (New Zealand)
2: Harry Doye (Australia)
3: Joel Dodds (Australia)

Under 23 Women
1: Maria Laurie (New Zealand)
2: Mia Cameron (New Zealand)
3: Annabel Bligh (New Zealand)

Under 19 Men
1: James Climo (New Zealand)
2: Fletcher Adams (New Zealand)
3: Oscar Talbot (New Zealand)

Under 19 Women
1: Millie Junge (New Zealand)
2: Millie Donald (New Zealand)
3: Dulcie Copeland (New Zealand)

Series Rankings after round 1

Please not riders in UCI MTB World Series Team are not eligible for series points. Rankings will be updated when the registration process for UCI MTB World Series Teams is completed.