Could national-level mountain bike racing be your next step?

The 2027 AusCycling MTB National Calendar launches next week.

If you’ve ever wondered whether racing at a national level could be your next step, here’s everything you need to know. 

Racing at a national level gives you the chance to take on some of Australia’s best courses, meet riders from all over Australia and the Oceania region, and see what you can achieve beyond your local scene. 

Many of our national events are open to riders who simply meet the age, membership and event requirements.  There’s no need to qualify through other races or state competitions first, or to wait for an invite. 

The biggest difference is between a club race and a national event is the scale and atmosphere around the racing, rather than the racing itself.

You may be riding on familiar trails with familiar event hosts, but you’ll be joined by riders from across Australia as part of a bigger event experience. 

That’s part of what makes a national event exciting. 

As well as soaking up the excitement of the event, it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, learn from the experience and set a new benchmark for your riding. 

How do you know if you’re ready? 

Having a solid base of racing experience will help you make the most of the step up.

You should feel confident riding the kind of terrain used for your discipline and be ready for a faster and more competitive experience. 

National racing is a great next step if you: 

• have raced at club, interclub or state level, 
• can ride challenging terrain with control, 
• understand race starts, passing, practice sessions and course markings, and 
• are comfortable lining up with experienced riders in your age group. 

If you’re completely new to racing, we recommend you start locally.

A few club or state events will build your confidence and give you a much better sense of what you are ready for. Your club, coach or an experienced rider can also help you make an honest call. 

In the meantime, we’d encourage you to experience the thrill of a national event as a spectator or volunteer. 

What’s the difference between the National Series and National Championships? 

National Series events are rounds held across the season, with riders earning points towards an overall series result.  

You can target one round as your first national experience or build a campaign across the series. 

National Championships are separate events where national titles are decided and winners earn the coveted green-and-gold jersey of Australian champion. 

They offer a top-level goal to work towards and a chance to race for one of the most recognised honours in Australian mountain biking. 

So, could national racing be part of your 2027? 

When AusCycling’s 2027 MTB National Calendar launches next week, take a look at the events and locations that catch your interest.

One event could become the goal that shapes your season, or the first step towards racing more of the national calendar.