Two of the hottest mountain bike events around - Crankworx and The Prospector - are coming back to Alexandra’s Matangi Station mountain bike (MTB) park this summer.

Matangi Station MTB’s Helen Sanders said since the park opened late in 2021 she’s barely had time to catch her breath.

Helen said the international attention from the events is amazing but she wants to ensure Matangi stays true to its “grassroots nature”.

“There is nothing in the world like this… the rocks are so grippy. Where else in the world can you ride in your own backyard and then also take on the pros?”

Helen is grateful to local riders from MOA (Mountain Bikers of Alexandra) and supporters of the park who create a real buzz for the woolshed welcome for Crankworx and the racing itself.

“The noise is amazing, there’s a real hum. The locals show up, make the atmosphere… we keep that true to who we are.. including the cow bells.

“It’s been a huge learning curve… I used to be in accounts and work as a PA (personal assistant) now I know about building websites, trail building and all manner of things in between.”

Helen and the family behind the station have had support from Central businesses including Breen, Checketts McKay, ICL Chartered Accountants, Unichem and the local bike shops.

“These relationships mean a lot to us… you have your hand held in this community and that gives you peace,” she said.

Crankworx Summer Series’s (CSS) five stage enduro is on February 28 - March 1 in Alexandra; Wānaka hosts the head to head dual slalom (Bike Glendhu March 4-5); downhill is at Cardrona Alpine Resort (March 8-9); and the series finishes in Queenstown at the Kerry Drive Reserve Pump Track (March 11-12). 

Volunteers are needed to be marshalls, venue helpers and observers at Matangi, contact Phil Oliver on [email protected] or MOA on [email protected]. 

CSS New Zealand event director Ariki Tibble said the series was a blast in 2021, and this year the team is delivering a similar number of events at the same great venues, but in a different global environment compared to that of 2021.

“We have the Summer Series confirmed until 2027 which means we have a unique opportunity to try things out and adapt over the long term which is really exciting from an event organiser's perspective.”

For pros, the race win will be up for grabs, along with points for the overall male and female CSS champs titles. CSS includes Open and CWNEXT (U19) categories and welcomes everyone, from first-time racers to seasoned pros. 

Some challenging single track and rock drops are a feature of Matangi Station’s trails

For the schedule and rider information visit the website.

Matangi has sold 410 passes this season; members are adults, kids, families, Journey’s girls and instructors. 

Find more information on Matangi Station MTB here.

Stay tuned to The Central App for news on Crankworx, and The Prospector, including local riders’ profiles.