NATURAL SELECTION BIKE EVENT IS COMING TO NEW ZEALAND
It's scheduled for Queenstown in early March
PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURAL SELECTION
A month out from go time, the crew is putting finishing touches on the all-new Natural Selection Bike venue in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Nine wildcard riders will join the 13 prequalified riders, with a final four coming in from Dream Track on February 7.
Bergemann, Goomes, Silva, and Turk are among the wildcard riders to compete in at Mt. Dewar, Tāhuna Queenstown.
They’ll be joined by 13 prequalified riders and four Dream Track qualifiers
Tickets are on sale to catch the action in person on February 15. Finals to broadcast on Red Bull TV and YouTube starting March 5.
Natural Selection unveils the full roster of riders selected to compete in the first-ever Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa New Zealand now including Bergemann, Turk, Silva, Goomes, Godziek, Edwards, Isted, Astle, and Couderc.
The event will run in person on February 15 on the iconic Mt. Dewar in Queenstown, with tickets now on sale. The finals will broadcast “as live” on Red Bull TV and YouTube and then streaming on demand star — tune in to witness the world’s best riders take on one of the most challenging and beautiful mountain bike courses ever built.
Today’s nine wildcard invitees will join 13 male and female riders who prequalified through their top finishes at Proving Grounds in Prineville in 2022. Another two riders, Barb Edwards and Kurtis Downs earned their spot at NST Bike at Proving Grounds Pacific City hosted by Carson Storch in 2023.
“I’ve been a big fan of the snow side of Natural Selection for years, and am honored to be invited to the inaugural MTB event,” said Hannah Bergemann, NST Bike invitee. “The new venue blends together different styles of the sport, which looks like it’s going to be super fun to ride and will hopefully allow all the athletes to show off their different styles of riding.”
WOMEN
Robin Goomes (NZL)
Hannah Bergemann (USA)
Georgia Astle (CAN)
“Receiving the invite for the first ever edition of Natural Selection in Queenstown means so much to me. I’ve been spending lots of time on my freeride bike lately,” Paul Couderc, NST Bike Invitee. “I’m very excited to see the venue, which I’m pretty sure the diggers killed it on. It’s great to have the opportunity to compete in a brand new format and new course, Freeride MTB needed an event like this! The line up is insane, I feel very grateful to be a part of this sick crew of athletes.”
MEN
Szymon Godziek (POL)
Adolf Silva (SPA)
Tom Isted (GBR)
Talus Turk (USA)
Paul Couderc (FRA)
Kade Edwards (GBR)
*find videos with action and more on each rider now @naturalselectionbike
These athletes will compete on a course designed to challenge their versatility and skills, blending downhill, slopestyle, and freeride elements. The track for the inaugural Natural Selection Bike event is being built by the Elevate Trail Building team and promises to be a world-class freeride mountain bike course. It will feature natural features, big mountain terrain, huge drops, shark fins, doubles, and step-ups, all augmented to create a freeride paradise.
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
The final four riders will come from the Natural Selection ‘Dream Ticket’ qualifier at the world-famous Dream Track in central Queenstown on February 7. There, local talent will compete alongside international riders for the final four spots to compete at the Natural Selection Bike final on February 15.
Formerly known as Proving Grounds, the competition is now part of the Natural Selection Tour and called Natural Selection Bike, which is expanding from its snowboarding roots to include mountain biking, surfing, and skiing. Natural Selection Bike is proudly sustainable, with the competition aiming to be New Zealand’s leading ultra-low emission sporting event.
The New Zealand Government is supporting Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa through its Major Event Fund and will showcase New Zealand as a world-class mountain bike destination through the global broadcast. Natural Selection is proud to partner with Mons Royale, adidas FiveTen, Canyon Brewery, POC, Turtlebox, and A New Earth Project.
Tickets and Viewing: Tickets for the Natural Selection Bike finals on February 15 are now on sale at https://naturalselectionbike.flicket.co.nz/
Tune In: Can’t make it to Queenstown? No problem! Catch all the action from Natural Selection Bike on Red Bull TV, YouTube, and other major broadcasters when the event premieres on March 5, 2025 (March 6, 2025, in Australia/New Zealand). Don’t miss the chance to witness the world’s best riders take on one of the most challenging and beautiful courses ever built.
About Natural Selection Tour
Founded by snowboard legend Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best riders competing on innovative, natural venues. The Tour has evolved to include mountain biking, skiing and surfing. With Natural Selection Bike, we are now witnessing the evolution of freeride mountain biking on a global scale. Natural Selection strives to inspire a deeper connection with nature while pushing the boundaries of sport.
For more information on the Natural Selection Tour please contact:
Lora Bodmer [email protected].
Above: The Elevate trail building team puts the final touches on the track for Natural Selection Bike. The event will see the world’s top mountain bikers descend on New Zealand in February. Image credit: Callum Wood/Natural Selection
