Alexandra local mountain bikers and businessmen, Phil Oliver and James Williamson, are thrilled to have attracted some of New Zealand’s top mountain bike talent to Alexandra to participate in their new event, ‘The Prospector’ beginning on Friday.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Anton Cooper, with NZ under-19 national champion Ethan Rose, are just two of the strong field who will enjoy three days of epic riding in the hills around Alexandra.

“I’m super excited to get back down to Alexandra and ride the Prospector stage race. It’s going to be a great opportunity to ride a marked course around some awesome trails, and also a good few days training on the bike before I head off to Europe to race on the World Cup circuit and finalise my preparation for the Tokyo Olympics,” Anton says.

Event organiser and Race Director James Williamson says, “We’ve had great support from local businesses, landowners, volunteer’s, community groups, Tourism Central Otago, Council and the Vincent Community Board to get this event off the ground”.

“We knew we had a great idea to establish an event that was sustainable and that benefited our local community. 

“It is our hope this event will become one of the most prominent events of the New Zealand Mountain bike calendar, and that when borders eventually re-open it will attract offshore riders to future events. 

“For year one, securing a strong field of entrants, with approximately 80% coming from out of town is a real indication that the mountain biking around Alexandra is regarded as being amongst the best in the world,” James says. 

“Local landowners’ support is critical when creating an event such as this and we are incredibly grateful they too see the value in such an event for our community,” Phil adds.

The Prospector Stage Race trails offer both a challenge and exceptional views. Photo credit Will Nelson. 

The Prospector begins on Friday with a prologue at Matangi Station and will also hold stages on Earnscleugh Station over the weekend. 

Helen and Brett Sanders say Matangi Station and the Sanders family are looking forward to welcoming the Prospector three-day event. 

“Competitors will love what James and Phil have marked out. The weekend will be epic. 

“At the same time, we’re proud to announce we will be opening up part of our High-Country Station as a commercial mountain bike park later in the year”. 

This is New Zealand’s only multi-day mountain bike stage race. 

Its name “The Prospector” is in direct reference to Central Otago’s gold mining past, as many of the tracks and trails that will be ridden through the event were built by early prospectors. 

Taking place over three days, the event is for mountain bikers who are looking for a true (XC) Cross Country endurance event to test themselves. 

Covering 150kms of trails and over 4000 meters of elevation, the riding is tough and technical, requiring skill as well as fitness.

Click here to view a video of “The Prospector”.

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