Today marks one month to go until Natural Selection Bike, which will be contested on Mt Dewar in Queenstown where work has just finished on a world-class mountain bike course.
The rider lineup comprises 22 athletes from nine countries, including the 13 pre-qualified riders announced in December.
New Zealander Robin Goomes is the major addition to the roster for New Zealand fans.
The Chatham Islands-Rotorua rider had a breakthrough year in 2024, winning Red Bull Rampage to cement her status as the best female rider on the planet.
"I’m so excited to be competing at Natural Selection Bike," Goomes said.
"The track is looking amazing and I can’t wait to get to ride in front of a home crowd. The athlete lineup is epic so it’s going to be an unreal competition."
The competition features a men’s and women’s division and will combine the three most dynamic disciplines in mountain biking: big mountain freeride, slopestyle and downhill.
Event director Sophie Luther said organisers were thrilled to have such a strong lineup for the inaugural event on February 15.
"Natural Selection Bike will be one of the most exciting and progressive mountain bike events globally in 2025," Luther said.
"We are bringing together 26 of the very top professional freeriders from around the world, including an additional four Kiwi riders that will qualify through Dream Track on February 8.
"These riders, men and women, will soar through this all-new venue for a shot to be crowned the Natural Selection Tour champions."
Luthor said the Elevate Trail Building team had done "an amazing job" to maximise the natural features on Mt Dewar.
"Between the innovative course blending all aspects of freeriding and the highest level of riding, this will be thrilling to experience for bikers and non-bikers alike."
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 Dream Track in central Queenstown on February 7, which will give local talent the opportunity to compete for four extra spots at the main event.
Natural Selection
The riders
Men: Dylan Stark (US), Bienvenido Aguado (Spain), Carson Storch (US), Nicholi Rogatkin (US), Thomas Genon (Belgium), Reed Boggs (US), Johny Salido (Mexico), Kurtis Downs (US), Adolf Silva (Spain), Kade Edwards (Great Britain), Paul Couderc (France), Szymon Godziek (Poland), Talus Turk (US), Tom Isted (Great Britain).
Women: Camila Nogueira (Spain), Casey Brown (Canada), Vinny Armstrong (New Zealand), Vaea Verbeeck (Canada), Barb Edwards (US), Georgia Astle (Canada), Hannah Bergemann (US), Robin Goomes (New Zealand). — APL
