First riders announced for Natural Selection Bike
The first group of riders for Natural Selection Bike has been confirmed, with a host of the world’s best mountain bikers set to compete in the international event.
Natural Selection Bike will be held on Mt Dewar in Queenstown on February 15, 2025, with the Elevate Trail Building team working to create a world class mountain bike course.
The first rider announcement includes the 13 riders who prequalified from six countries. The competition features a men’s and women’s division and will combine the three most dynamic disciplines in mountain biking: Downhill, Slopestyle, and Freeride.
Men
Dylan Stark USA
Bienvenido Aguado Alba SPN
Carson Storch USA
Nicholi Rogatkin USA
Thomas Genon BEL
Reed Boggs USA
Johny Salido MEX
Kurtis Downs USA
Women
Cami Nogueira ARG
Casey Brown CAN
Vinny Armstrong NZL
Vaea Verbeeck CAN
Barb Edwards USA
One of New Zealand’s top female mountain bikers, Queenstown’s Vinny Armstrong, is the first Kiwi named to compete, with more expected to be named in the second lineup in January. She says she cant wait to compete in front of a home crowd.
“It’s so cool to have an event like this coming to our backyard,” Armstrong says. “The rider lineup is really strong, there are some amazing athletes set to compete and the track is looking epic so it’s going to be a great event."
Event Director Sophie Luther says they’re thrilled to have such a strong athlete lineup for the inaugural event.
“Natural Selection Bike is set to be one of the biggest global mountain bike events in 2025 and these athletes are the world’s best,” Luther says.
“The track is looking epic and it’s going to make for an amazing event in February. We’re urging mountain bike and sports fans to grab their tickets as the event will sell out."
“I’m really looking forward to Natural Selection in New Zealand,” says Dylan Stark, professional freerider and 2025 Natural Selection Bike invitee.
“New Zealand is a place I’ve wanted to visit, a bucket list riding destination, and now to get to ride the biggest freeride competition on such a rad course…stoked!”
Formerly known as Proving Grounds, the competition is now part of the Natural Selection Tour, which is expanding from its snowboarding roots to include mountain biking, surfing, and skiing.
The event will also include a ‘Dream Ticket’ qualifier at the world famous Dream Track in central Queenstown on 7 February, which will give local talent the opportunity to compete for four spots at the main event.
Natural Selection Bike is sustainable, with the competition aiming to be New Zealand’s leading ultra low emission sporting event.
The event is being supported by the New Zealand Government through its Major Event Fund and will showcase New Zealand as a world class mountain bike destination through the global broadcast.
- Watch the competition live, in person, with tickets on sale here through Flicket. www.naturalselectionbike.flicket.co.nz. The competition will broadcast “as live” on Red Bull TV in March 2025.
