Natural Selection Bike coming to Queenstown
The world’s most exciting mountain bikers are set to test their skills in Queenstown.
The inaugural Natural Selection Bike will be held on Mt Dewar on 15 February, 2025, featuring 30 men and women competing in downhill, slopestyle, and freeride.
It has the backing of MBIE, through the New Zealand Major Events Fund, and will be NZ's leading ultra low emission sporting event.
New Zealand’s top freeride mountain bike athlete Robin Goomes, who won the prestigious Red Bull Rampage earlier this month, is thrilled the competition is coming to Aotearoa.
"There is such a sick mountain bike scene here and everyone’s going to be fizzed to get amongst it," Goomes says. "There are already so many talented young riders in NZ and I think having this on their doorstep is just going to push them to the next level.”
Formerly known as Proving Grounds, the competition is now part of the Natural Selection Tour (NST), which is the brainchild of pro snowboarder Travis Rice.
It showcases the world’s top athletes competing in the planet’s most exciting environments. The tour debuted in 2021 with snowboarding and has now expanded to incorporate ski, surf and bike. Athletes are judged on creativity, risk, execution, difficulty, and overall impression.
The NZ event will also feature a ‘Dream Ticket’ qualifier at the Dream Track in central Queenstown on 8-9 February, which will give local talent the opportunity to compete for four spots at the main event.
Event Director Sophie Luther says the competition will provide a fantastic opportunity for our homegrown riders to shine in front of a global audience.
"We’re thrilled to give New Zealand based riders the chance to compete at home against the world’s best," she says.
"We have such a talented mountain bike community in New Zealand and such passionate and inspiring riders, we can’t wait to showcase them to the world. NST Bike will also bring their heroes to Queenstown and give everyone a chance to see the best riders in the world, right here in our beautiful backyard."
The Dream Ticket event will be free to watch and we will release tickets for NST Bike at the end of October.
"So I’m encouraging everyone to grab a ticket, mark the dates in the diary and support these incredible athletes.”
Natural Selection Bike is being staged with the backing of MBIE, which is supporting the event through the New Zealand Major Events Fund.
“Queenstown is a stunning location and a thrill-seekers delight; I couldn’t agree more that it is a ‘dream venue’ for this high-octane global event,” MBIE’s Manager of Major Events Kylie Hawker-Green says.
“Events like Natural Selection deliver a broad range of economic and social benefits for NZ and the regions they take place in.
"I know that those coming to compete or watch this event will have an awesome experience and that the millions expected to watch online will no doubt be tempted to visit and tackle our trails.”
A key feature of Natural Selection Bike is its pioneering approach to sustainability, with the competition to be NZ’s leading ultra low emission sporting event.
The event will be powered by a battery storage unit charged at a local hydroelectric facility, and will produce zero landfill waste, with all waste either recycled or composted.
Commercial Director, Ed Leigh says: “Everything we do, from the energy we use to power the event to our commitments to regenerative planting or our waste management practices and transport solutions, reflects our commitment to sustainability.
"We are extremely proud to show that New Zealand can lead the way in responsible event planning. Our goal isn’t just to host an amazing competition, but to set a global benchmark for low-impact events.
"We’ve worked closely with Queenstown’s Zero 2030 pledge and are proud to be aligned with the Tiaki Promise, ensuring that we protect and regenerate this stunning landscape."
The build for Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa is due to begin next month.
Watch the competition live, in person, with tickets on sale through Flicket. The competition will broadcast “as live” on Red Bull TV in February 2025.
