One 100 km handicapped road race
Riders are released in seeded groups according to handicap, bringing the race together on the road towards the finish. Work early. Race late.
Course and race-day essentials
Know the road. Race it hard.
Everything you need before the flag drops: course character, headline times, race format, safety expectations and the details that keep a fast day running smoothly.
10 Oct
Saturday 2026
100 km
North Canterbury
8:30am
Race start
120
Rider limit
01
Course vibe
Canterbury’s spring showdown
Fast roads. Rolling pressure.
One proper finish.
The Gorges Grand Prix is a 100 kilometre handicapped road race across some of North Canterbury’s best racing terrain. The opening roads reward speed and cooperation; the rollers demand judgment; the closing kilometres ask who still has the nerve to commit.
This is the ideal race-day hit-out before Five Passes and the Tour of Southland. Every bunch has a job to do, every hesitation costs distance, and the handicap is designed to bring the whole race together when it matters.
02 / The route
Every move matters.
100 km
One complete road race
Open roads
New Zealand road rules apply
Handicap
Every bunch has a race
Expect fast opening kilometres, rolling terrain through the middle, a drag that rewards good positioning and a final 500 metres where the race is there to be finished.
03 / Everything at a glance
Saturday, 10 October 2026.
Loburn School
Sign-on, race start, finish and prizegiving are based at Loburn School. Arrive with enough time to sign on, prepare your bike and be ready for the briefing.
$35 early / $49 standard
Early bird closes at the end of Sunday 20 September 2026. The field is capped at 120 riders, so waiting carries its own risk.
Real racing, open roads
Stay left, hold your line, obey all New Zealand road rules and follow every marshal instruction. Riders remain responsible for safe decisions at all times.
04 / Headline times
Race-day schedule.
Before 8:00
Sign-on and preparation.
Loburn School. Get your number,
prepare your bike and be ready to listen.
On site
Mandatory race briefing.
Final safety information and any
race-day changes will be communicated before the start.
8:30am
Handicapped waves start.
Groups depart according to the
confirmed race-day handicap.
Approx. 12
Finish and prizegiving.
Held at race headquarters once
the field is safely home.
05 / Prepare properly
Bring speed. Bring sense.
Spend your effort wisely.
The early pace can feel easy when the bunch is working. Do not confuse speed with free speed. Fuel early, communicate, stay smooth through the rollers and keep something for the closing drag and sprint.
Race hard. Ride predictably.
Marshals guide and warn; they do not stop traffic. Hold your line, signal early, give way when required and never cross the centre line. Save the hero move for the finish—not an intersection.
A race-ready setup.
A roadworthy bike, approved helmet, bottles, race fuel, tools for basic roadside repairs and clothing for a Canterbury spring day. Expect sunshine, wind and possibly several seasons before lunch.
06 / Big effort. Proper rewards.
$1,000
Prize pool.
A prize pool designed to animate the racing—not simply reward the obvious move. The full category breakdown and eligibility details will be published closer to race day.
Claim your placeLimited to 120 riders
Now you know. Time to enter.
Early bird entry is $35 until Sunday 20 September 2026. Standard entry is $49. Someone fast is already thinking about it.