Race Report VE25 - Stage 2

​Today over 260 mountain bikers from around the world tackled the Queen Stage of the Shimano Volcanic Epic MTB Race, in Rotorua New Zealand.
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The Queen Stage title goes to the event’s longest day of 57km with the biggest climbs of nearly 2,000m. But what goes up must come down, with the course featuring some of the best descents in the Whakarewarewa Forest’s 200km+ of world-class singletrack.

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.

“It’s just an amazing race” said Benno Heussi, from Switzerland “All these trails, the friendly people, I love it so much to be here in New Zealand.” Heussi and partner Manuela Kaufmann are back again for their second Volcanic Epic. First time racing is an exciting prospect, but Heussi was returning with lessons learnt  “Last year I blew up in the prologue” he recalled “And today I’ve done better pacing. Now a second time I know the race better, not so nervous and really enjoy it.” 
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While the event is competitive, it’s also social, with friends new and old said Heussi, who met up with team The Pool Boys, who he met in 2024. “We made friends last year, and one week ago we did the Timber Trail in Taupō together. It’s a great opportunity, when you’re in New Zealand, to mountain bike such a great trail in the native forest and we did it together with friends from last year, which makes it even more special.”

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”

One of the appeals of stage races like the Shimano Volcanic Epic, is the ability to ride in a Pair team, mixing it up any way you like. This year teams include father & sons, partners, friends and more. 

“It makes a huge difference to your experience of the race” says Gav McCarthy, one half of Pedal Cartel Cycling/MyRide Wellington with Laura Park “Yeah do it, it’s good fun. Someone’s going to be faster, you just deal with it.” Park added her advice to aspiring teams “Pick your best riding buddy, just fun like you usually do, and it’ll make for a great week”

Tomorrow’s Stage 3 starts out at the stunning Lake Rotoiti taking riders on the native forests and challenging backcountry trails of the Western Ōkataina Walkway. 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.

Open Pairs Leaders at the end of Stage 2:
Open Men: Barry Battler 3:57:59
Open Women: Cunning Stunts 4:24:26
Mixed: Pedal Cartel Cycling 4:05:27

SEE RESULTS AND SEEDING