Your bunch. Your race.
Handicap groups are matched by ability. Work together, stay away, or become part of the chase as the race comes together.
Presented with the support of
Fast. Fierce. Full Gas.
A 100 km handicap where different speeds become one bike race. Find your bunch, work together, and see who is still there at the finish.
01
The race
Canterbury’s spring showdown
Different speeds.
Same bike race.
The Gorges Grand Prix is a proper 100 km handicapped road race across some of North Canterbury’s best racing roads. Riders start in groups matched to ability. The early groups get the road; the faster groups get the chase; everybody gets a race.
Already racing? It is a serious October hit-out. Used to race? This is a very good excuse to come back. Never pinned on a number but comfortable riding hard in a bunch? You may be much closer to ready than you think. Hard enough to matter. Accessible enough to have a crack.
Fast, open, honest
Fast opening kilometres, rolling terrain, a drag that bites and a final 500 metres that asks exactly what you have left.
Hard enough to matter
A proper 100 km road race for current racers, former racers and strong bunch riders ready to find out what racing feels like.
Only 120 riders
The field is capped. Get your name onto the start list, then start wondering whether your bunch can stay away.
Who is Gorges for?
Pick the version of you.
You do not need to be the fastest rider in Canterbury. You do need to be fit enough for 100 km, confident riding safely in a bunch, and keen for a proper bike race.
Give me a proper hit-out.
Five Passes or Southland on the horizon? Gorges gives you 100 km of handicap tactics, hard racing and a finish where the legs do the talking.
Enter the race →Come back. Have a crack.
You do not need to be as quick as you were five years ago. That is rather the point of a handicap. We find the bunch that suits the rider you are now.
Find my way back →You might already be ready.
Regularly riding 70–100+ km and comfortable in a fast-moving bunch? You already do most of the hard part. We will help place you in an appropriate handicap group.
Check my starting mark →02 / The course
The road decides. The handicap makes it interesting.
100 KM
One complete road race
Open roads
NZ road rules apply
Handicap
Different speeds. Same race.
Speed early. Decisions through the middle. Commitment late. Marshals guide the race, but roads remain open and riders must obey New Zealand road rules at all times.
Race-day essentials ↗03 / Everything at a glance
Saturday, 10 October 2026.
One 100 km handicapped road race
Groups are matched by ability and released at different times. Early marks try to stay away; faster marks chase. The aim is simple: bring the race together somewhere near the sharp end.
Loburn School
Sign-on, race start, finish and prizegiving are based at Loburn School. The race starts at 8:30am.
$35 early / $49 standard
Early bird closes at the end of Sunday 20 September 2026. Enter early and keep the saving for race-day fuel.
Real racing, open roads
Stay left, hold your line, obey all New Zealand road rules and follow every marshal instruction.
Headline times
Race-day schedule
Before 8:00
Sign-on and preparation
On site
Mandatory briefing
8:30am
Handicapped waves start
Approx. 12
Finish and prizegiving
04 / And yes, there are prizes.
$Lots
Prize pool.
The race comes first. The prize pool is there to reward the riders who make something happen once the flag drops.
- First across the line Race victory
- Fastest time Pure speed
- Women’s prizes Proper recognition
The complete prize breakdown and eligibility details will be published closer to race day.
05 / Your move
Put your name on the start list.
The field is capped at 120 riders. Whether you race every weekend, have not raced for years, or are thinking about your first start, this is the point where thinking about it becomes doing it.
$35
Early bird until 20 September
Standard entry: $49
Saturday 10 October 2026
Entry portal
Ready enough?
You do not need to know your handicap before entering. Tell us about your riding and recent racing, and we will place you with an appropriate group. If you are unsure whether Gorges suits you, use the entry page to check your likely starting mark first.
06
Good to know
Quick answers
Before you line up.
Riders are placed into groups according to ability and recent performance. The earlier groups start first; the faster groups leave later and chase. If the handicapper has had a good day, the race begins to come together towards the finish.
Potentially, yes. You should already be fit enough to complete 100 km and confident riding safely in a fast-moving bunch on open roads. You do not need to be an elite rider or know your handicap before entering.
Perfectly normal. Your handicap is based on the rider you are now, not the rider you remember being. Give us accurate information about your current riding and we will place you accordingly.
No. The event is held on open roads. Riders must obey New Zealand road rules, stay left and give way whenever required.
Race headquarters, sign-on, start, finish and prizegiving are at Loburn School. Final arrival and briefing times will be confirmed in the race manual.
This is a proper 100 km road race, so entrants need suitable fitness and must be confident riding safely in a bunch on open roads. You do not need to be one of Canterbury’s fastest riders. The handicap is there to group riders appropriately.