The Oceania Cycling Confederation (OCC) is pleased to announce the calendar for the 2026 Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series.

Starting in January and running through to March the series will include four cross-country rounds and three rounds for downhill across Australia and New Zealand.

The Continental Series, now in its second edition was developed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the five UCI Continental Confederations to provide high level racing opportunities and a qualification process for riders to earn positions in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

The top five riders in the overall standings of the Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series will have the right to participate in all rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in the following season.

Riders will also be eligible to earn a golden ticket to compete in one round of a UCI MTB World Cup by finishing in the top three of an Oceania Continental Series round within 52 weeks of the qualification.

Cross-country
Round 1: 24 January 2026 – MTB New Zealand National Series, Christchurch, New Zealand
Round 2: 25 January 2026 – MTB New Zealand National Series, Christchurch, New Zealand
Round 3: 28 February 2026 – AusCycling MTB National Series, Mt Stromlo, Australia
Round 4: 1 March 2026 – AusCycling MTB National Series, Mt Stromlo, Australia

Downhill
Round 1: 16-18 January 2026 – MTB New Zealand National Series, Methven, New Zealand
Round 2: 19-22 February 2026 – Crankworx Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Round 3: 28 February – 1 March 2026 – AusCycling MTB Downhill National Series, Falls Creek, Australia

Oceania Cycling Confederation President and UCI Management Committee Member Tony Mitchell said, “The OCC is pleased to support the continued growth of mountain biking in our region with the Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series continuing in 2026.

“Following a successful inaugural series last year, the 2026 series will see four rounds for Cross-country and three rounds for downhill. These events provide an opportunity for riders from Oceania to earn golden tickets, qualification to UCI World Cups and UCI points at events in our region.”

“It was great to see riders who competed in the inaugural season including Sammie Maxwell, Lachlan Stevens-McNab, Sacha Earnest, Tyler Waite, Oli Clark, Ellie Hulsebosch, Kate Hastings and Jonty Williamson go on to taste international success winning medals at World Cups this year.”

“We extend our thanks to the UCI as well as AusCycling, Cycling New Zealand and MTB New Zealand and organisers for supporting and delivering the series to a world class standard.”