2026’s race will return to Skyline Rotorua and will also be the 2026 Downhill National Championships Race.
Athletes can only access this iconic course during the Crankworx Rotorua Kāreara Downhill race, making it a must-watch for fans. The 2026 race will be broadcast live on the @Crankworx YouTube.
Event Information
REGISTRATION
Public Registration Opens: Friday 17th October 2025 at 10:00am NZDT
Registration Closes: Sunday 8th March 2026 at 11:59pm NZDT
No onsite registration available.
Course Details on Trailforks
Karearea downhill on Trailforks.comEntry Fee
UCI Licensed Racers: $180.00 NZD (includes GST and Fees)
Non-UCI Licensed Racers: $190.00 NZD (includes GST and Fees)
Includes athlete accreditation for access into the venue for the event week.
Cancellation Policy
All entry fees, minus a $15 NZD administration fee, are fully refundable for any reason up to 30 days prior to the official registration closing date.
All entry fees, minus a $15 NZD administration fee, are eligible for a 50% refund for any reason, up to the official registration closing date.
All entry fees are non-refundable or transferable after the registration deadline of Sunday 8th March 2026 at 11:59pm (even in the case of injury or mechanical problems). After this deadline, no refunds will be issued except where required by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or other applicable law.
If the Event is cancelled in full and not rescheduled, you may be entitled to a refund or credit in accordance with applicable law.
Refund requests must be received in writing to nzathletes@crankworx.com.
Competitors who need to withdraw after the registration deadline should email nzathletes@crankworx.com to confirm their withdrawal otherwise they will appear on the start list as a DNS.
Festival Entry (for riders and parents/spectators)
As part of the rider’s race fee(s) they receive entry to the festival for the full week, even on days where they may not be racing. They DO NOT need to purchase a festival pass.
Parents, family members, friends or anyone that is not entered in a race (competing) but wishes to attend the festival MUST hold a festival pass. Festival pass options are available HERE.
ATHLETE CHECK IN / RIDERS OFFICE
Location
Next door to Skyline Rotorua Mountain Bike Park at Te Kōhea (previously Rainbow Springs Nature Park), 192 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs, Rotorua.
It is advised that all athletes park at the Rowi Street car park area and walk to the Riders Office for check-in.
Hours
TBD
SHUTTLES TO THE COURSE START
The shuttle loop will circulate between the Skyline Teams Zone and the top of the road leading to the Course Start continuously throughout each training, seeding and race session (including Track Walk). The first shuttle will depart from Skyline Teams Zone 30 minutes prior to the start of each training/track walk session. Athlete Support (parents, coaches, mechanics etc) and Media may join the shuttle service for Track Walk ONLY, they will be required to have their GA wristband or Accreditation to use the service. Athletes will be given priority at all times over parents, coaches, mechanics and media.
These shuttles are NOT available to spectators and/or general public at any point.
Please note:
– Race plates are needed to access the shuttles (so please check in and collect your race plate before heading to Track Walk / Training)
– Riders are responsible for mounting / securing bikes on the shuttle trailers.
– Riders can take bikes on the shuttle to the DH Hub and leave them there while they complete the Track Walk.
CATEGORIES
Group A Categories
MEN | U19 [2008-2009]
MEN | Elite [2007+]
WOMEN | U19 [2008-2009]
WOMEN | Elite [2007+]
Group B Categories
MEN | U15 [2012 – 2013]
MEN | U17 [2010 – 2011]
MEN | Sport 17-29 [2008-1997]
WOMEN | U15 [2012-2013]
WOMEN | U17 [2010-2011]
WOMEN | Sport 17-29 [2008-1997]
Group C Categories
MEN | Masters 1 | 30-39 [1996-1987]
MEN | Masters 2 | 40-49 [1986-1977]
MEN | Masters 3 | 50-59 [1976-1967]
MEN | Masters 4 | 60-69 [1966-1957]
MEN | Masters 5 | 70+ [1956+]
WOMEN | Masters 1 | 30-39 [1996-1987]
WOMEN | Masters 2 | 40-49 [1986-1977]
WOMEN | Masters 3 | 50-59 [1976-1967]
WOMEN | Masters 4 | 60-69 [1966-1957]
WOMEN | Masters 5 | 70+ [1956+]
RACE LICENSES
The Kārearea Downhill Rotorua is sanctioned by the UCI and Cycling New Zealand. All categories will require a race license.
The Elite and U19 categories are sanctioned by the UCI as a C1 race. A UCI license is required to race in the Elite and U19 categories. Only riders with UCI Elite licenses can register in the Elite category.
The U15, U17, Senior, Master and Veteran categories are sanctioned by Cycling NZ. Either a Cycling NZ or UCI license is required to race in the U15, U17, Senior, Master or Veteran categories. Non-licensed competitors will have the option to purchase a 1 event Cycling NZ license (cost $10 – can be added onto entry fee at time of registration) and will be subject Cycling New Zealand’s Terms and Conditions.
Important Information: Specialized Karearea Downhill – Crankworx Rotorua 2026
The Specialized Karearea Downhill at Crankworx Rotorua 2026 will also serve as the 2026 New Zealand National Downhill Championships. Because this race operates under both UCI National Championship and UCI Cat 1 frameworks, we want to clearly explain how categories, finals and points/prize money will work.
ELITE AND U19 RIDERS (GROUP A):
New Zealand vs International Riders:
- New Zealand riders
- Can compete for UCI National Championship points
- Can compete for National Champion title and sleeve
- Can compete for UCI Cat 1 points
- Can compete for Crankworx World Tour DH Series points
- Can compete for UCI Cat 1 Prize Money
- International riders
- Can compete for UCI Cat 1 points
- Can compete for Crankworx World Tour DH Series points
- Can compete UCI Cat 1 Prize Money
- Cannot compete for New Zealand National Championship points, titles or sleeves.
Your nationality automatically determines which points/prize money you are eligible for – there is no action required from athletes or parents.
How Seeding and Finals will work – National Championships:
- Elite and U19 riders will compete separately
- Separate seeding (details below)
- Separate finals
- Seeding for the National Championship Race will occur as a timed training format during practice on Thursday 12th March 2026. All riders (U19 and Elite) will be fitted with their timing chip before this training session.
- Your fastest training lap during Thursday’s training session will determine your seeding result for your category in the National Championship Finals.
- National Championship Finals will be held on Thursday 12th March, from 4:30pm – 6:30pm. Only New Zealand riders will be permitted to compete on the course during this timeframe.
How Seeding and Finals will work – Cat 1 Race:
- Elite and U19 riders compete together
- Same seeding
- Same finals
- Seeding for the Cat 1 Race will occur in the following ways:
- International riders will complete a seeding run from 3:15pm – 4:00pm on Thursday 12th March.
- New Zealand riders will be seeded based on their National Championship Finals run (held from 4:30pm – 6:30pm on Thursday 12th March).
- Finals for the Cat 1 Race will be raced on Saturday 14th March, race order will be determined based on combination of the two seeding formats outlined above.
How Results will be Awarded:
After the National Championship race, results will be awarded in the following categories:
- New Zealand National Championship – Elite
- New Zealand National Championship – U19
- The awards ceremony will be held for the race with an official podium for each category.
After the Cat 1 race, results will be awarded in accordance with UCI regulations:
- UCI Cat 1 Results (any rider aged 17 years or older, per UCI rules)
- Crankworx World Tour Downhill Series results (any rider aged 17 years or older, per UCI rules)
The awards ceremony will recognize:
- The official podium (top 3) for each applicable category, and
- The top 3 U19 athletes within the relevant categories.
Registration & Eligibility
- Athletes entered via the Crankworx Athlete Portal are automatically filtered into the correct results and points category based on nationality
- No additional paperwork or selection is required
Course:
All riders will compete on the same course for training, seeding and finals of both races – the Specialized Karearea Downhill at Skyline Rotorua.
TRAINING GROUPS
Group A = U19 and Elite categories
Group B = U15, U17 and Sport categories
Group C = Masters categories
FORMAT
Finals Only, 1 Run for the following categories: U15, U17, Sport and Masters categories
Seeding Run & Finals for Elite and U19 (refer to structure above)
SEEDING RUNS
Seeding Runs are for the Elite and U19 categories only.
Seeding Runs are mandatory. If a rider does not start for the seeding run, they will not be placed in the start list to race in finals.
PROTECTION RULES Cycling NZ Rules
| U15, U17 | U19, Senior, Elite, Masters | |
| Full Face Helmet | Compulsory | Compulsory |
| Long Sleeve Shirt | Compulsory | Compulsory |
| Elbow/Forearm Protection | Compulsory | Highly Recommended |
| Long or Short Pants | Compulsory | Compulsory |
| Knee/Shin Protection | Compulsory for short and long pants | Compulsory for short pants |
| Neck Brace | Compulsory to wear either neck brace or spinal protection5 | Highly Recommended |
| Spinal Protection | Highly Recommended | |
| Shoulder Protection | Highly Recommended | Highly Recommended |
| Protective Eyewear | Highly Recommended | Highly Recommended |
| Full Finger Gloves | Highly Recommended | Highly Recommended |
TECH ZONE APPLICATION
Space is limited, please contact nzathletes@crankworx.com if you are interested.
Contact for more information:
Contact nzathletes@crankworx.com