Today saw the final leg of the Shimano Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race, presented by Tineli. Over 260 riders from around the world set off at the start horn as the sun rose through the steam of Te Puia. They reached the finish line after 38km of Rotorua's famous singletrack.
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First over the line at the Government Gardens finish line venue were the top three eBikers. There was drama out on course as the young Stephan Grant, got a flat tyre early, eating into his overall lead as Jason Musgrove and Steven Gray powered by. Only when Sam Fox, Open Men lead shared his spare tube and CO2 inflater, did he get back on track. Despite the big setback, Grant won the eBike General Classification (GC) by 2 minutes. 

With a finishers’ medal around his neck, Musgrove said “I’ve had an amazing time here, it's been so awesome. Awesome people. It’s been great volunteering - setting up and packing down, I’ve had a lot of fun, I’ll be back next year.”

Women’s Solo GC was taken by Priscilla Thompson (NZ), who’d been battling with Syd Schulz (USA) all week, who took second place.
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Good Samaritan Fox, fresh off his elite wins at the Australian National Champs and Oceania Champs, took Men’s Solo GC win with a safe margin over New Zealander, Connor Johnston.

Men’s Pairs GC winners, Barry Battlers, were stunned with their success across the five days. “It’s great, we did not expect this at all." said Will Tattersfield “It’s epic. I’ll definitely be back when I’m back from Canada”. Leaders of each stage must wear their yellow Tineli leaders jerseys, making them stand out in the group for the ones to beat. But the tight race-fit lycra isn’t something the two we’re going to adopt for future riding "Will's going to go up north with his lycra and get the roadies into it [the Volcanic Epic]” said team mate Scott Taylor.

​With just 15 seconds between the Barry Battlers and the Grand Masters Men’s team Velovault, it was still a close win.

Women’s Pair, Cunning Stunts, took a strong GC win 1:08hr up, having won each of the five Stages despite stiff competition from PURE Sports Nutrition and Hash It Honeys.

Pedal Cartel Cycling/MyRide Wellington took the Mixed Pairs and took top step overall, beating out Australian's Shimano Cycle Co-Op and Team Resicon.

With over 18 nationalities represented, the five-day event offered overseas riders the opportunity to ride different trails and locations each day. Plus, with the stages over by early afternoon, they had time to relax and explore the local attractions.

“The Volcanic Epic was spectacular,” said Ries Robinson, from New Mexico, USA. Having travelled over with friends to race the event, they were not disappointed “The trail quality - unreal.” Robinson said “I’ve never ridden that many miles of spectacular trail, [at other events] it's usually not great, too many roads.” No stranger to cycling events,

​Robinson does about 15 events a year. “I bike race a lot, I’ve done 100 mile races. In terms of organisation, I don’t know if I’ve been to one that's better organised.” On why multi-day races appeal to him and his friends, it made the travel worth it, you got to do more riding, and explore the regions. “Life's about living.” He said “You remember the weeks you do a stage race. The other 51 weeks of the year, you’re what - working?” 

One of the appeals of stage racing is riding in a pair or team. This year, 51 teams were made up of family, partners or pals. 

One of those teams was Dirt Divas from Wellington. Libby Eglinton and Ginny Baddeley met through their sons, and have been riding mountain bikes together for a few years. “Ginny  decided we should do this event, so she made me come!” said Eglinton. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the right amount of challenge, and it's been a really fun event. Everyone's been really great. Being at the back we got to meet everyone.” 

The Divas said that it’s not about being the best, but taking part and pushing yourself, and having lots of fun too. “We’re not the fittest, or the fastest, but the friendliest and the funniest,” Baddeley said. “Except maybe first thing in the morning,” admitted Eglinton.
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The pair would love to see more people like them riding events like the Shimano Volcanic Epic. “We’re calling out other women over forty to join a mate, hang out for five days, do some amazing mountain biking together, and make some amazing memories,” said Baddeley.

GC Pairs Leaders on the final Stage 5:

Men: Barry Battler 9:35:11
Women: Cunning Stunts 10:42:50
Mixed: Pedal Cartel Cycling 9:55:57
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The Shimano Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race will be returning for 2026 with all new locations, courses and features. If you’re into mountain biking and curious about exploring the best trails New Zealand’s geothermal plateau has to offer, find out more at www.volcanicepic.co.nz.

144km raced and 4,677m of vertical climbing completed by the end of day 4 of the Shimano Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race, and there is still one final stage to go.
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Taupō’s Craters MTB Park hosted the five-day event’s 260 participants, representing over 18 nationalities, coming to ride the world-class trails of the North Island’s geothermal plateau in New Zealand’s premier multi-day MTB event.

After three days racing over Rotorua’s hero-dirt singletrack of the Whakarewarewa Forest and native forest backcountry trails of the Western Okataina Walkway - today offered something quite different. It was hot, dusty and fast out in Taupō’s incredible mountain bike park - offering an advantage for some and for others, proving the biggest challenge so far after three days of back to back racing.
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A thrilling sprint finish for the Solo Men, with five crossing within seconds after nearly two hours of wheel-to-wheel action. Brent Miller (NZ) took the lead, with Macky Franklin (USA) and Sam Fox (AU) third across the line.

Miller, covered in dust, was pleased with the outcome. With so much singletrack it was hard to get a lead if you didn’t have the off-road skills. “It was an awesome stage… [there] wasn’t anywhere for the roadies to get away. We were in a bunch for pretty much for the whole stage which made it really fun”. Asked if he had to fight for the lead, Miller said  “I actually led the entire stage, which was probably stupid, but that's how it was”.

Franklin was fizzing of the energy of the pack “That was the fastest group ride I’ve ever been on.” he said “Just with less talking!” 
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Fox, Elite Australian National XCO Champion and fresh off a historic win at the 2025 Oceania Championships, was loving the competition and trails. “It was pretty dusty and loose.” he said “Connor [Johnston] and I got distance between the other riders, snuck our way out and bombed around with the boys.”

Syd Schulz (USA) who was the first woman over the line was no stranger to the dusty conditions, which she used to her advantage. “It went well today. The last four miles may have been the longest four miles of my life”. Despite that, Schulz had a lot of fun, she said. 
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“Definitely not dusty by New Mexico standards, so it was really fun.” This stage suited her style of riding with shorter climbs and more about power, which worked in her favour to stay on rival Priscilla Thompson waiting for her moment to push.

“It’s great to race with her again.” said Thompson, who raced with Schulz before, most recently in Canada’s BC Bike Race and was loving the renewed competition.
“Syd and I were batting at the start, I pulled away but I got a stick in my derailleur with 20km to go. She caught me, I had to sort my derailleur and chased after her, but she had a wee bit of lead on her.”

On the hunt for the best MTB races in the world, Syd Schulz and Macky Franklin put their professional racing adventures on their YouTube channel “Syd & Macky”. Having previously visited to race the Enduro World Series in 2015 and 2017, Schulz said it’s been great to come back to New Zealand for cross-country riding “This has been a lot more fun.” she said after heavy rain made the previous races tough. “It’s been great to come back and redeem myself. Can’t believe it took us eight years to come back!”.

The couple, like many of  the participants from overseas, have made it the reason for an extended visit. “We were in Nelson for two weeks.” she said “We got to do the Old Ghost Road, which was phenomenal. There's an endless amount of things to explore. We’ve already heard about ten other places we need to go to on our next trip.”

Susie Fiore, also from the USA, was using the event to get back into racing. “That was my first time racing in about 15 years.” she said “And it was super fun. My goal was to finish and not cry and I met my goal doing the 2 Day [event option]. “I’ve been supporting friends and family in the 5 Day event” her son, Col, was also in the 2 Day event “He finished a long time ago probably!”.

This was Fiore’s first time in New Zealand. “Love it. Love it.” she said “Been here two weeks, and it's been amazing. The beaches, the forests, amazing riding.”

Despite the change in location, trail conditions and three days of battling for places, the General Classification Pairs Leaders hold firm.

Tomorrow is the final Stage, starting at Te Puia, home of the southern hemisphere's largest geyser, both 5 Day and 2 Day riders will be taking on the volcanic trails of Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest before the ultimate finish line at the city’s Government Gardens.

GC Pairs Leaders at the end of Stage 4:
Men: Barry Battler 7:35:39
Women: Cunning Stunts 8:28:26
Mixed: Pedal Cartel Cycling 7:50:41

​Now into their third day of riding world-class singletrack, riders of the Shimano Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race embarked on something a little different. 

Starting at the stunning Lake Rotoiti, participants representing over 18 nationalities rode deep into the native forest towards Lake Okareka before turning into the Western Ōkataina Walkway. 

The wild backcountry trail, lined by ferns and mossy forest was a big change compared to the previous two days of hand-crafted singletrack of Rotorua’s Whakarearea Forest. Challenging climbs opened into faster sections, punctuated by technical roots and ruts, all design by nature rather than trail-builders.

Open Women’s leader, Pricilla Thompson (Canterbury, NZ) was buzzing at the finish line “That was my favourite so far. It felt like you were on an outback adventure. it was amazing the trail was so natural. It was really awesome.”

​She reckoned the hills were pretty steep. “I was on and off my bike a lot, it was quite slippery, but it was good” and the reward? “A big downhill after - so worth it.” 

With 19% of the field women, Thompson was all about getting more wāhine into the race “It’s just fun. It’s all about community and well…girl power!”

Current Open Men leader, Australian, Sam Fox, held the yellow leaders jersey for tomorrow’s Stage, having ridden with rival Connor Johnston for most of the course, before managing to break away in the last 5km, holding his GC lead of 3:08min.

Macky Franklin, USA rider and one half of YouTubers Syd & Macky, arrived third after Johnston with big smiles “So fun!” he said “So brutal on the way up, but such an incredible descent on the way down. Fast. good sight lines. You could just let it rip.” Partner, Syd Schulz crossed the line to second place in the women’s Solo GC, 4:46min behind Thompson.

Visiting New Zealand for the Shimano Volcanic Epic but with an extended visit to ride all over the country, Franklin had been “Absolutely loving it. It’s been a great race, great environment, everyone is super cool. Loving it.”

​Current Open Men leader, Australian Sam Fox held the yellow leaders jersey for tomorrow’s Stage, having ridden with rival Connor Johnston for most of the course, before managing to break away in the last 5km, holding his GC lead of 3:08min.

Macky Franklin, USA rider and one half of YouTubers Syd & Macky, arrived third after Johnston with big smiles “So fun!” he said “So brutal on the way up, but such an incredible descent on the way down. Fast. good sight lines. You could just let it rip.” Partner, Syd Schulz crossed the line to an impressive second place in the women’s Solo GC, 4:46min behind New Zealander, Thompson.

Visiting New Zealand for the Shimano Volcanic Epic but with an extended visit to ride all over the country, Franklin had been “Absolutely loving it. It’s been a great race, great environment, everyone is super cool. Loving it.”

The Pairs GC leaders continue to hold their positions, but the battle isn’t over yet - with only a moment of lapsed focus or mechanical between them and their competition.

Tomorrow’s Stage 4 welcomes the 2 Day riders at Taupō’s Craters MTB Park, before returning to Rotorua for Stage 5. Starting at Te Puia, home of the southern hemisphere's largest geyser, it’s the final tour of the incredible Rotorua singletrack before the last finish line, where the winners of the 2025 Volcanic Epic will be crowned.

GC Pairs Leaders at the end of Stage 3:
Open Men: Barry Battler 5:34:51
Open Women: Cunning Stunts 6:15:47
Mixed: Pedal Cartel Cycling 5:44:22

Before the horn went to start the day’s racing, Macky Franklin, one half of USA professional mountain bikers and YouTubers, Syd & Macky, represented the participants at wero - a traditional Māori challenge to test the intentions of these visitors. With the offering accepted, Macky and the rangatira (chief), shook hands and shared a hongi.

From passionate riders, to the elites, fresh from his elite men's win at the 2025 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships, Australian Sam Fox took the Solo Open Men’s leader jersey from Stage 1’s winner, Connor Johnston. Fox said he put the gas on for the first climb, managing to lose Johnston for the rest of the race and finishing 3 minutes up. “I just tried to really press on the pedals and open the gap up before we got into the tight twisty stuff, because he’s got that local knowledge”, but it wasn’t a cake walk after 57km says Fox “it turned into a bit of a blur eventually, I wasn’t too sure where I was or who I was out there”. 

It was a tight battle for the eBike Solos, between Stefan Grant and Stephen Gray. “He was so close, it just sucks he crashed on one of the corners” said Grant “ I waited until he got back up, but later on he made a mistake and I passed him.” Gray crossed 3 minutes later, big smiles to explain what happened “there was a high line and a low line, and I didn’t take either.” said Gray and commended his rival for the camaraderie “It was a mean ride, he was on me and didn’t let up. He’s a quality human”

Excitement was palpable today as over 260 mountain bikers, representing over 18 nationalities, started the five-day long Shimano Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race, based in Rotorua New Zealand.
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Now in its third year, the multi-day event showcases the world-class singletrack trails of the geothermal plateau, this year featuring 182kilometers of the best of Rotorua and Taupō.

Today was Stage 1, a 21km introduction to the Whakarewarewa Forest and awarding the first leaders of the race, who are awarded the yellow Tineli leaders jerseys.
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“We’ve been to New Zealand a couple of times, mainly for bike related adventures.” Said Em Viotto, half of returning Australian Pairs team Shimano Cycle Co-Op, with Karl Michelin-Beard.  “This event is really different to others. The stages are shorter, giving us time to explore the local areas”.
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Ride, relax, repeat is the mantra - with each day’s racing done by early afternoon, riders are then free to explore the region's sights and delights – a real bonus for those who’ve travelled from overseas with friends and family.

“That was so much fun, that dirt is hero dirt the whole way - I had a blast!” said Sean Cassily from New Mexico, USA. Sean is riding alongside his wife Susie and 15 year old son, Col, who is riding in the 2 Day event at the weekend. “It’s our first time in New Zealand, we have some great travels, met so many cool people, and had some great riding up until now. We love this place.”
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Some riders are on a quest to find the worlds best MTB races, like USA professional mountain bikers and YouTube stars, Syd Schulz & Macky Franklin “We’ve been to New Zealand three times, exploring and racing the Enduro World Series” said Macky “We heard great things about Volcanic Epic and had to check it out”.

Today’s leaders included Masters Men Pairs team, Volcanic Steamers 3.0. Teammates Dan Boulton and & Mark Johnston (Nelson, NZ) arrived back today from tackling eight days of riding at South Africa’s Absa Cape Epic.
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Tomorrow’s Stage 2 is where the race really starts, with a loop course in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest. The following three days include native forests of the Western Okatina Walkway, Taupō’ Craters MTB Park, and return to Rotorua, starting at the beautiful Te Puia.

Pairs Leaders at the end of Stage 1:
Open Men: Barry Battler 1:01:38
 Open Women: Cunning Stunts 1:08:06
 Mixed: Pedal Cartel Cycling 1:03:48

See all Stage 1 results here.