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Mountain Bike
![](https://auscycling.imgix.net/images/mtb-discipline.jpg?w=1300&h=731&fit=min&auto=format)
![Cross Country cyclist riding over rocky terrain](https://auscycling.imgix.net/images/mtb-cross-country-discipline.jpg?w=1256&h=1256&fit=min&auto=format)
Cross Country
Cross-country mountain biking is a discipline held on undulating, off-road circuits made up of single track, forest trails, rocky paths and with obstacle that push a rider’s fitness and technical skills to their limit.
Within XC MTB there are several different formats of racing that cover varying distances and time: Cross County Olympic (XCO) usually takes about 1hr 30mins, Cross Country Short course (XCC) is usually about 25 min, and Cross Country Marathon, which is much longer often taking several hours to complete and covering between 60-120km.
Riders not only need exceptional fitness and strength, their bike handling skills are second-to-none.
![Mountain Bike rider riding downhill over large rocks](https://auscycling.imgix.net/images/mtb-downhill-discipline.jpg?w=1256&h=1256&fit=min&auto=format)
Downhill
Downhill mountain biking is an exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping sport that involves racing bicycles down steep, rough terrain at high speeds. Riders will bomb down the hill as fast as possible while remaining upright as they navigate obstacles like rocks, roots, drops, and tight turns. Often riders will reach speeds of up to 65-80 km/h. Downhill requires speed, technical skill and strength to maintain control over the bike at high speeds and challenging terrain.
![Enduro cyclist riding through course in the bush](https://auscycling.imgix.net/images/mtb-enduro-discipline.jpg?w=1255&h=1255&fit=min&auto=format)
Enduro
Think of Enduro MTB as a downhill stage race, where riders complete several downhill trails as quickly as possible, with the cumulative total of the downhill sections added for the finishing time. However, between each timed stage are transfer or liaison stages where the racer has to ride their bike, back up the hill to the start of the next stage, within a certain time frame. While this transfer time is not counted to the accumulated race time, if the rider does not make it within the allocated time frame to their next stage they receive a time penalty.
This discipline is physically demanding and require strength and endurance.
![Pump Track cyclist riding on course](https://auscycling.imgix.net/images/pump-track-discipline.jpg?w=1256&h=1256&fit=min&auto=format)
Pump Track
You can leave your chain at home for pump track racing because there is no pedalling required for this short and intense discipline. While traditional riding relies on pedalling to gain speed, pump tack riders move their body and bike in a pumping motion to navigate the track and gain momentum, requiring good balance, timing, and control. The aim is to set the fastest time against the clock and competitors, and each race is over quickly in about 10-15 seconds.
![Cyclist navigating obstacles on observed trials course](https://auscycling.imgix.net/images/observed-trials-discipline.jpg?w=1256&h=1256&fit=min&auto=format)
Observed Trials
Trials, or Observed Trials, sees riders navigate a set of obstacles on a special type of bike without setting foot on the ground. Trials riding requires an incredible about of skill, balance and strength to jump or hop up onto or over obstacles.
![Slopestyle cyclist in mid air jump](https://auscycling.imgix.net/images/slopestyle-mtb-sub-discipline.jpg?w=1256&h=1256&fit=min&auto=format)
Slopestyle
Slopestyle is an extreme sport where riders put their bodies on the line to showcase their tricks.
It’s the ultimate show for spectators, as athletes ride down the course, soaring high off ramps or features, and pulling off the most spectacular tricks they can.
It takes an incredible amount of training and practice to put down a technical, safe, clean run.
Riders are scored out of 100 for difficulty of tricks, execution and style, how much air they get and overall impression.