AusCycling has today announced the 2026 Oceania Continental Series Finale, a brand-new event that will bring international-level competition to Smithfield MTB Park this April.<\/p>\n
Featuring the finale of the UCI Oceania Continental Series in both downhill and cross-country Olympic (XCO), the event will also be part of the AusCycling National Series, providing racing opportunities for junior riders across disciplines.<\/p>\n
With support from Tourism Events Queensland (TEQ), Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) and the Cairns Regional Council, the event will deliver top-level mountain bike racing in one of the world\u2019s most recognised mountain bike destinations from April 16\u221219.<\/p>\n
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Top-level mountain biking is returning to Cairns this April.<\/p>\n
AusCycling\u2019s Executive General Manager of Major Events, Steve Peterson, said the creation of the 2026 Oceania Continental Series Finale reflects strong, sustained demand from the mountain bike community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited to establish a new event that will bring high-quality Continental Series racing to the region, taking advantage of the world-class trails and facilities that Cairns has to offer,\u201d Mr Peterson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 2026 Oceania Continental Series Finale will give elite, under-23, under-19 and emerging riders an opportunity to race at a high level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith UCI points and World Cup starts on the line, events like this are critical for Australian and New Zealand athletes preparing for the international season, whether that\u2019s in Asia, Europe or beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elite downhill racer Mick Hannah, a Cairns local, said, \u201cIt\u2019s huge to see Cairns locked in as the Oceania Continental Series finale.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a downhill perspective, this venue is as legit as it gets \u2013 steep, raw, technical and demanding in exactly the way modern World Cup tracks are. Having a race like this on home soil gives our riders a proper benchmark before heading into the international season.<\/p>\n
\u201cCairns has a long history with elite level downhill and this event gives the next generation a chance to test themselves on a truly world-class track.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Cairns hosted the 2025 UCI Masters MTB World Championships.<\/p>\n
Queensland Assistant Minister for Tourism Bree James said the Oceania Continental Series Finale will deliver real benefits for Far North Queensland, strengthening the state\u2019s reputation as Australia\u2019s events capital.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Crisafulli Government is excited to back events that bring people together and showcase the very best of our region,\u201d Assistant Minister James said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith an estimated economic impact of $2.4 million for Queensland, major events like this festival draw visitors, fill hotels, and support local jobs.<\/p>\n
“We proudly welcome this new mountain biking event to Cairns\u2014an opportunity to showcase Tropical North Queensland to the world.”<\/p>\n
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen welcomed the addition of the Oceania Continental Series Finale to further grow adventure tourism and the region\u2019s sporting calendar.<\/p>\n
\u201cA dedicated mountain biking event in April will help to bring visitors to Tropical North Queensland in the shoulder season and continue our reputation for exciting sporting events that bring both competitors and spectators to the destination,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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The technical trails in Cairns are some of the most technical in Australia, and renowned throughout the MTB world.<\/p>\n
Oceania Cycling Confederation President and UCI Management Committee Member Tony Mitchell said, “Adding the double-header finale in Cairns continues to grow the Oceania Mountain Bike Continental Series, with more racing opportunities and what is sure to be an exciting finish to the series.”<\/p>\n
AusCycling\u2019s National MTB XCO Coach, Robert Holmgren, said, \u201cWe are thrilled to hear of the Oceania Continental Series finale being announced for Cairns.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s ideally placed from an athlete perspective, where our riders can gather together those precious UCI points and placings before they bounce into Asia and Europe for the World Cup season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also going to use the event as a key development opportunity for our XCO squad. We know the Cairns XCO course is one of the most technically challenging in Australia and absolutely world-class, so it is ideal preparation for our crew.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s news comes two months after the announcement that Crankworx Cairns would not continue beyond 2025, and eight months after the UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships were successfully held in Cairns.<\/p>\n