DAYS 5 & 6 : The Finals
SAM BLENKINSOP WINS THE SECOND EDITION OF THE NZ MTB RALLY
The Zerode rider has shown remarkable consistency throughout six intense days of racing, maintaining the overall lead all week! Check out the highlights!
The final two days of the NZ MTB Rally 2025 delivered everything riders had hoped for—and more. After four days of relentless adventure, the rally reached its peak with a breathtaking heli-drop into Wakamarina on Day 5, followed by a thrilling closing stage around Nelson on Day 6. From remote back-country descents to world-class singletrack, the last stages cemented this year’s event as one for the history books.
DAY 5
HELI BIKE
WAKAMARINA
HELI DROP into NZ Bacountry 3 stages // -1350m // +475m
This is the day everyone was expecting, and it was even better than expected
On this penultimate day of the race, we headed for Marlborough to tackle its formidable ‘Wakamarina’ backcountry trails. On the program: a helicopter drop-off at the summit to explore these lush forests, offering a crazy diversity of landscapes and terrain. Black beeches (not beaches!), crystal clear rivers, huge ferns, and roots galore.
After an hour on the bus and 8km of cruisy pedaling, racers loaded up 5-per-heli to embark for the drop-point at the Department of Conservation’s ‘Foster’s Hut’, nestled in a saddle near to the summit of the fabled Wakamarina Trail. When we say ‘helipad’, what we actually mean is the corner of a DOC camping field. At least one unsuspecting Kiwi was rudely awakened by the thud of helicopter blades as the first chopper came in to land.
After a short but intense flight, flying over the surrounding peaks and canyons, shaken by a few gusts of powerful wind, every passenger had already taken their daily adrenalin shot before even a first turn of the pedals!
As the NZ MTB Rally nears its grand finale, riders faced one of the most exhilarating and rewarding days of the event. The adventure began high in the Richmond Ranges, where a helicopter drop delivered them straight into pristine backcountry. From the very first pedal stroke, they were immersed in a world of untouched singletrack, lush native forest, and flowing descents that tested both skill and endurance.
Zerode Riders, Sam Blenkinsop & Tuhoto Ariki Pene enjoying the buzz of a high-adrenaline Heli-drop deep in to Marlborough’s mountainous backcountry terrain
Helicopter Nelson’s pilots were certainly able to showcase their skills today; landing on a tiny clearing in the middle of a wooded ridge that might almost have been straight out of a movie set. Truly impressive, yet all in a regular day’s work for these guys who spend most of their air-time flying in similarly remote and challenging conditions.
Dropping-in to the first stage of the day and which started directly out of the helicopter. Insane scenes indeed: the stoke at the start-line today was off the scale!
Stage 1 was fast, and full of cornflakes. Raced blind (as per all all NZ RALLY Stages) it was mostly a test of who’s prepared to simply open the taps and hang on for the wild white-knuckle ride.
The liaison between SP1 and SP2 was one of the hardest of the week, requiring racers to push or on occasion, carry their bike. Definitely not the best day to “enjoy” an E-bike ! But the effort was well worth the reward, given the treasures yet to be revealed on the next two stages.
That was definitely one of those days, that put a smile on your face for a long time !
Kilian Bron didn’t fly up to the Fosters Hut. He and his girlfriend Kim, a famous Gravel rider, climbed up there at the end of day 4 to spent the night the kiwi way : enjoying the sounds of the native forest and a cosy fire in the Hut. Apparently, this is the secret to victory, because Kilian gets the best time of the day, 50sc ahead of Matt Walker, second. Sam Blenkinsop and Tuhoto Ariki Pene sticked together on the stages to shot some nice gopro runs and end up 4th and 5th. But Sam is still leading the overall ranking !
DAY 6
NELSON
Racing Right out of the City Centre
5 stages // 31km // -2150m // +710m
All the riders set off directly from the heart of Nelson, leaving The Rutherford Hotel after breakfast to embark on one last journey through Nelson’s stunning backcountry. With the city’s incredible trails right on the doorstep, the final day was a perfect mix of adrenaline, challenge, and pure riding joy. Designed in part as a showcase for the incredible and easily-accessible riding in the region, the organisers were keen to start and finish the day literally from the city centre.
They were also joined by a few “Wild-cards” local riders invited only for this last day to add some spices to this last adventure.
The day began with a smooth transition across town to the historical Coppermine climbing trail, a steady ascent that led riders into the first exhilarating descent of the day—Turners. This fast, flowing trail featured berms, optional jumps, and smooth lines, allowing riders to carve their way down in style before transitioning into the next challenge.
A fun, off-the-clock jump line encouraged participants to ride together and showcase their best tricks, with media capturing every airborne moment.
The ride continued with a shuttle lift to Nelson’s Fringed Hill, where those taking on the extended course climbed even higher to experience the rugged beauty of Black Diamond Ridge, Sunrise Ridge, and Peaking Ridge. These technical sections pushed riders to their limits, with steep root-infested descents and rocky terrain demanding skill and control. Peaking Ridge, a local favorite, delivered an unforgettable mix of flow and challenge, rewarding those who embraced its twists and drops.
It's definitely the kind of event that i like, if you want to race, you race, if you want to enjoy a good time with your friend you can do it too, and if you want to do both, it's the perfect place!"
After regrouping and refueling, riders faced the final two epic descents of the rally. The legendary Te Ara Koa, New Zealand’s longest dedicated mountain bike trail, provided a thrilling mix of technical features, tight corners, and fast, flowy sections. The trail’s natural terrain kept riders engaged, with marked lines ensuring a safe but exhilarating ride to the valley below. To cap off the week, riders tackled Hotbox, a freshly refurbished classic, blending rooty, hand-cut sections with newly sculpted machine-built corners, making for an exciting final stage.
As the last finishers rolled in, cheers erupted along the riverside, where the day concluded with cold drinks, snacks, and a well-deserved swim in a pristine natural pool.
25 ‘Wild Card’ entries were granted by the organizers for the final day of the Rally, allowing game-contest winners, local riders, and even some dedicated volunteers to experience the event as racers for this ultimate day of the week. And some of them were fast—really fast! Six of the top ten times of the day were set by Wild Card riders, including the second-fastest of the day : Lenny ! Was it the advantage of local trail knowledge or the freshness of not having raced all week? Anyway, good job showing the pro riders how it’s done in Nelson 
It’s always been on the bucket list of mine and then any reason to come to Nelson for me is a good reason so I always love coming to race and ride here
The event wrapped up with big party, split between great dinner, award ceremony, storytelling, and celebration, marking the end of a truly extraordinary week of mountain biking.
Female podium, extended course : Vivine GUNTENSPERGER, Melanie BASSETT & Cindy HOFFMAN
Male podium, extended course : Sam Blenkinsop, Matt Walker, Kilian Bron, Tuhoto Ariki Pene & Mark Conliffe
Impressive total stage times on The Rally’s ‘extended’ course after 6 days of racing! Nearly 3 hours of racing over 6 days for the fastest on course (and much more than that, for mere mortals).
Over 30% of the registered riders chose the ‘Regular course’ option, meaning to take it a little bit easier each day by skipping one or two ‘bonus’ stage(s) which was typically the hardest of each day. Christopher BASHFORTH (UK) takes the win in the “Regular course”, in front of Nik BLACK & Cameron HAUSLER
The NZ MTB Rally is more than just a race—it’s an adventure, a journey, and a celebration of mountain biking. Over the past six days, riders from around the world have pushed their limits, forged new friendships, and experienced some of the best trails New Zealand has to offer. The final evening was a time to reflect, with a closing ceremony filled with laughter, stories, and well-earned cheers for everyone who took part.
With the 2025 edition now in the books, one thing is certain—the NZ MTB Rally continues to set the standard for multi-day mountain biking events. Until next time, keep riding, keep exploring, and keep the adventure alive, and we’ll see you on the trails again soon!
Photos : ©Mikhail Huggins ©Rory Stock
