Race report VE25 - Stage 4

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

SEE FULL RESULTS AND SEEDING