The Natural Selection Tour will head to the heart of Tāhuna Queenstown with a brand-new course that will push the limits of Big Mountain and Freeride MTB. We’ve rounded up the race day layout and judging breakdown so you’re ready for the drop-in on Feb 15th.
Week Timeline
Saturday/Sunday - Feb 8th & 9th:
Dream Ticket Qualifier @ Dream Track Local talent will compete alongside riders from around the globe for the last four spots at the Natural Selection Bike.
Monday - Friday - Feb 10th to 14th:
Venue Closed
Wednesday - Feb 12th:
World Mountain Bike Awards.
Saturday - Feb 15th
NST FINALS - Mt Dewar, Coronet Peak.
Wednesday - Mar 5th:
Re-Live Stream on RedBull TV (12:00 PST).
Thursday - Mar 6th:
Re-Live Stream on RedBull TV, TVNZ+ (9:00 NZT).
Event Day Schedule
10 Women & 16 Men. Each athlete will be required to compete on both A & B lines - two runs total - each run will be counted and a combined score of those two runs will determine the ranking
7:15am: Practice kick-off
9:30am: Both Men & Women at the top for the start
10:00am: Run 1, Women riding line A first, followed by Men
1:30pm: Run 2, Women kicking-off line B followed by Men
Awards to follow immediately after the competition on site.
Judging Format
The event stadium being the natural terrain means this competition runs and is judged differently from slopestyle or freeride events. Participant runs are measured on the following:
Creativity: A rider selecting a new or unridden line in addition to their combination and variety of tricks will increase their Creativity score.
Risk: A consequential first manoeuvre, the scale and amplitude achieved, and how critical the section they are executed on will inform the Risk score.
Execution: A rider’s style as they execute and link manoeuvres through turns, tweaks, and how cleanly they land and ride out of manoeuvres will impact the Execution score.
Difficulty: The Difficulty score depends on challenges within the run, the complexity of the trick, and the direction or amount of rotations or flips.
Overall: Combining the elements of the rider’s flow and speed with their body control throughout the run results in the impression of their Overall score. 
Get Tickets / Watch Re-Live
Calling all dirt surfers. Watch the event live on location with the rest of the Mons Royale crew! Make sure to grab tickets to the event here. Or on NST’s website.
Kicking it in the Northern Hemisphere? Watch the event on the Re-Live stream premiere on Red Bull TV on March 5th 12:00 PST / March 6th 9:00 NZT on Red Bull and TVNZ + and YouTube.
We will also be hosting screening parties in Whistler and Innsbruck. Sign up for our newsletter for more information and the invite!
