MTB

Gauteng’s mountain biking spans Olympic cross-country circuits to gravity sprint formats. The discipline has grown rapidly since the early 1980s, with the first UCI-recognised Worlds in 1990 and the World Cup following in 1991.

Mountain Biking Disciplines

MTB cross-country (XCO) mass start beneath a Start/Finish banner, Gauteng juniors kicking up dust at Thaba Trails.

CROSS-COUNTRY OLYMPIC (XCO)

  • Cross-Country is part of the Olympic programme.
  • A very explosive and flat-out race.
  • Mass start, multi lap racing on an off-road circuit with both single track and jeep track.
  • Races are held over undulating circuits with technical descents, forest roads, rocky paths and obstacles such as drops and rock gardens.
  • Lap distance between 4 to 6 km.
  • The race varies from 45 minutes to 1 h 40 minutes depending on the age category.
Junior MTB racers sprinting on a paved start/finish zone, front rider from Gauteng leading with number 304, tents and spectators in background.

CROSS-COUNTRY SHORT TRACK (XCC)

  • Cross-country  Short Track (XCC) is an exciting and relatively new format of cross-country (XC)
  • The 10-20 minute XCC race is battled over courses that range between 1km to 1.5km long – so around two minutes per lap – and typically use the XCO start/finish
  • XCC racing blends speed and strategy in a compact format that demands precision and power from start to finish.
  • In XCC, every second counts—it’s a showcase of elite endurance and tactical brilliance.
MTB marathon (XCM) lead group riding singletrack through tall grass, rider 15 at the front.

CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON (XCM)

  • The Cross-country marathon events are a long version of cross-country held over a course of 60 to 160 km.
  • A special feature is that riders from all categories, from enthusiasts to professionals, race together.
  • The marathon is held in a mountainous region with some single track, long climbs and descents.
  • More focused on endurance with a race time of around 4 hrs, depending on age category.
Mountain biker in full-face helmet racing around a paved pump track berm with spectators and mountains in the background.

PUMP TRACK

  • Pump track racing is a gravity-defying contest of flow and finesse. Riders navigate a continuous circuit of rollers, banked turns, and jumps—without pedaling.
  • Instead, they generate momentum through strategic body movements known as “pumping,” using weight shifts and timing to accelerate through the course.
South African downhill rider in green-and-gold kit leaning through a forest berm, race tape and trees in background, bike no. 5.

DOWNHILL
(DHI)

  • Downhill is a race against the clock in which the rider negotiates a succession of fast and technical passages down a mountain, affronting tree roots, banked sections, bumps, jumps and other natural obstacles along the way.
  • The participant must demonstrate courage as well as sharp technical and piloting skills in order to affront tree roots, banked sections, bumps, jumps and other natural obstacles along the way.
  • Speeds reach around 80km/h in the men’s races and 70km/h for women.
Enduro mountain biker leaning into a rocky corner on a steep trail with a lake and town in the background.

ENDURO
(EDR)

  • Enduro events include several liaison and timed stages of which only the descents are timed.
  • Total race time is the sum of all timed stages.
  • An enduro course comprises varied off-road terrain: a mixture of narrow and wide tracks, slow and fast paths and tracks over a mixture of off-road surfaces.
  • Enduro racing requires athletes to use a combination of endurance, speed and technical skills.
Three gravel cyclists riding alongside railway tracks with dramatic mountains in the background.

GRAVEL
(XCG)

  • Gravel biking is a newish and fast developing discipline of MTB.
  • It consists of distance riding on rural municipal gravel roads, jeep track, forest roads, private farm roads and the occasional tar road.
  • The gravel surface should be non-technical and easily navigable on a gravel bicycle.
  • The events are  held over a point to point of circular course and vary in distance.
  • Riders have the choice of riding either a gravel bike or a mountain bike.

Provincial

Smiling youth cyclists in blue SOYOCA kit posing in front of a Gauteng Cycling Series backdrop.

Provincial XCO & XCC

  • 4 events comprising of three Cups and one Champs held in 4 different venues across a specific province.
  • Riders aged 8yrs+ , can compete in the Cups from all over SA, although the Champs is province specific.
  • Should enough funding be raised, the provincial Cups can be UCI Category 1 or 2 events meaning UCI Points up for grabs to the top finishers making the Cups attractive to overseas riders.
  • Focus on introducing new riders to MTB.
  • Focus on PDI riders, their growth and progression.
  • Group Skills Sessions offered to grow capacity and progress riders.
Smiling enduro riders with medals posing in front of a Gauteng Cycling Series backdrop.

Provincial EDR

  • 5 events comprising of four Cups and one Champs held in 5 different venues across a specific province.
  • Riders aged 8yrs+ , can compete in the Cups from all over SA, although the Champs is province specific.
  • Focus on introducing new riders to MTB.
  • Focus on PDI riders, their growth and progression.
  • Group Skills Sessions offered to grow capacity and progress riders.
  • The fastest growing MTB discipline.

National

MTB cross-country riders descending a rock feature in dappled forest light during the national series.

XCO & XCC

  • Four events comprising of three Cups,  one XCO Champs and one XCC Champs.
  • Held over four different venues across South Africa.
  • International and domestic riders aged 13yrs+.
  • Marketing opportunities and exposure created across South Africa.
  • Events are listed on the UCI calendar with UCI Points awarded to the top finishers making the Cups attractive to international* participants as well.
  • Events are listed on the UCI calendar.

*International riders are not eligible for SA Championship events

Enduro mountain biker in red helmet cornering hard on a dusty singletrack with dry grass and trees in the background.

EDR

  • Four events comprising of three Cups and one Champs.
  • Held over four different venues across South Africa.
  • International and domestic riders aged 8yrs+.
  • Marketing opportunities and exposure created across South Africa.
  • Events to domestic and international participants.
  • Champs is listed on the UCI calendar.

*International riders are not eligible for SA Championship events

Group of downhill mountain bikers in full-face helmets and body armour waiting with their bikes at the top of the course.

DHI

  • Five events comprising of four Cups and one Champs.
  • Held over four different venues across South Africa.
  • International and domestic riders aged 8yrs+.
  • Marketing opportunities and exposure created across South Africa.
  • Events to domestic and international participants.
  • Champs is listed on the UCI calendar.

*International riders are not eligible for SA Championship events

Mountain bikers racing along a dusty singletrack through open hills with a dramatic mountain range in the background.

XCM

  • One National Champs.
  • Domestic riders aged 13yrs+.
  • Mass participation event.
  • Marketing opportunities and exposure created to riders from across South Africa.
  • Event is listed on the UCI calendar with UCI Points awarded to the top finishers*.

*International riders are not eligible for SA Championship events

MTB Results

All MTB results will be published here, including Gauteng Provincial Cups, Gauteng Champs, SA Cups/Champs and UCI-listed races. 

GC XCC CUPS

TREAD MEDIA Mountain Biking with Soul

FAQ

Do I need a licence to race MTB events?

Yes. For sanctioned races you need a valid Cycling South Africa (CSA) membership plus the appropriate annual racing licence or a day licence if the event allows it.

Which MTB disciplines are run under UCI rules provincially?

Cross-country Olympic (XCO), Short Track (XCC), Marathon (XCM), Downhill (DHI) and Enduro are common. Events follow UCI Regulations as adopted by CSA, with local technical guides per race.

What bike/equipment rules should I know about?

Two working brakes, bar-end plugs fitted, no aero clip-ons, no motor assistance (e-bikes only in events that offer a separate e-MTB category). Helmets are compulsory at all times on the course.

Are dropper posts and tubeless tyres allowed?

Yes. Droppers, tubeless setups and any wheel size permitted by the event’s tech guide are allowed, provided the bike remains human-powered and safe.

How are categories and call-ups handled in XCO/XCC?

Age and gender categories follow UCI/CSA groupings. Call-ups are based on series standings, UCI points and/or seeding policies in the event guide; riders must be in the call-up zone on time or start from the back.

What is the 80% rule in XCO?

If a rider is lapped or falls more than ~80% of the leader’s lap time behind (as defined by the commissaires), they may be pulled from the race and classified accordingly to keep the race clear and safe.

Where can I receive mechanical help or feed?

Only in designated Feed/Technical (Tech) zones, and only from accredited feeders/mechanics. Outside assistance elsewhere on course is prohibited unless the organiser specifically allows it (e.g., neutral zones).

How does MTB Marathon (XCM) differ in rules?

Mass-start over long distances with no feed/tech zones except as defined by the organiser. Outside support is only permitted at official stations; draft rules follow the event guide, and time penalties apply for infractions.

What are the core safety and conduct requirements?

Approved helmet on at all times, follow course markings and marshal instructions, no shortcuts, yield safely when being passed, and report incidents. Anti-doping rules apply; random testing may occur.

Are juniors and schools races run under UCI rules?

Yes, adapted for youth by CSA. Same fundamentals (helmets, safe bikes, bar plugs), shorter laps/courses, and age-appropriate categories. Technical guides specify gearing limits only if the organiser applies them.