Alexandra’s Eli Moir (12) is leaping onto his mountain bike five times a week as The Prospector’s new single race day nears.

Eli is the youngest rider signed up to race in the new Matangi Claim Adventure Ride.

He received a special dispensation from organisers after his dad vouched for his riding ability (entrants are required to be 14 or over).

The March 12 race is a 58 km loop with 1900m of elevation gain on technical grade three and four rated single track. 

Eli said he is “pretty competitive” and uses the STRAVA app to keep track of his times.

He’s beaten one of his Dad Kerry’s friends in the past, but his main goal in the new race is to “finish and have fun.”

In the family; Dad Kerry Moir, Eli and brother Cam (15) all enjoy mountain biking

The race is on at his favourite place in Central.

“Matangi Station has cool tracks, rockfalls and techy challenging stuff,” Eli said. 

Last September the Terrace School student crashed and fractured his elbow resulting in a cast for six weeks and ruling him out of the mountain biking (MTB) events he was working towards.

Covid-19 restrictions also led to the cancellation of school age MTB events in 2022.

Eli‘s “main thing” is mountain biking but he also plays cricket and soccer

Kerry said his son is making up for the disappointment of last year with entries in the MTB National Championships at Coronet Peak this weekend (February 25-26), then Crankworx Summer Series (Feb 28 - March 12 ) and The Prospector.

Eli will be racing alongside local riders he looks up to; Eddie Adams, Cooper Milward and Bradley Harris.

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

If you know a Central mountain biker who is an unsung hero, or has a story to tell contact: [email protected] 

Find out more on The Prospector here and Crankworx here.